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September 2, 2025
If you’re a homeowner with a new electric vehicle, one of the first decisions you’ll face is how to charge it. Should you stick with the basic charger that most likely came with your car, or invest in a faster, more powerful setup?
When it comes to charging your electric vehicle at home, you have two main options: Level 1 charging and Level 2 charging. Level 1 refers to a basic charger that often comes with your car — it plugs into a standard wall outlet and gets the job done, just very, very slowly. Level 2 is the more powerful upgrade, offering much faster charging, typically charging your vehicle back up to 100% overnight. If those labels don’t mean much to you yet, don’t worry—we’re here to break them down.
Let’s start with the basics. Level 1 charging uses a standard household outlet (120V) and typically adds about ~4 miles of range per hour. It’s simple, because you may already have a standard outlet located near where you park your vehicle, but slow: it would take up to 72 hours to charge from 0 to 100%. This makes Level 1 charging a common choice for plug-in hybrids or drivers with light daily mileage.
Level 2 charging delivers much faster results, often adding ~32 miles of range per hour or more, which is typically enough to fully charge your vehicle back to 100% overnight. While some setups use a 240V outlet, Treehouse recommends a hardwired installation, which connects the charger directly to your electrical panel for improved safety, durability, and code compliance.
You’ll also find Level 2 chargers at many public charging stations, making them the most common standard across both residential and commercial EV charging infrastructure.
Here’s a quick cheat sheet on Level 1 vs. Level 2 charging:
For homeowners deciding between Level 1 vs. Level 2 charging for their EV, the decision usually comes down to:
Throughout this post, we’ll walk you through each of these three factors so you can make the best decision for your EV, home, and lifestyle.
When it comes to choosing between Level 1 and Level 2 charging, cost is often one of the biggest considerations for homeowners. You’ll also want to factor in the cost of the charger if needed, installation, your home’s electrical setup, and long-term energy usage.
Here’s a breakdown of the costs you can expect:
Level 1 chargers often come included with your electric vehicle, which makes them seem “free” at first glance. However, they offer limited functionality and slow charging speeds, which is fine for plug-in hybrids or light use, but not ideal for daily driving. These chargers are often referred to as “mobile connectors” or “portable chargers”, and for daily EV drivers, are great to keep in your vehicle in case of emergencies.
These portable chargers can sometimes be used for both Level 1 and Level 2 charging. However, even when used for Level 2, there are limitations. Often these chargers are limited in maximum amperage, so may charge your vehicle slower than preferred. They also cannot be hardwired and require you to install a NEMA 14-50 or similar outlet. Treehouse always recommends hardwiring your EV charger, as it offers better performance, code compliance and safety standards, and a cleaner aesthetic compared to outlet installs. And – contrary to common belief – it is typically less expensive to hardwire a charger than it is to install a new outlet.
For these reasons, we always recommend the purchase of a separate, hardwired charging station. Depending on the model, features, and brand, you can expect to pay anywhere from $350 to $700+ for a Level 2 EV charger (you can browse the chargers Treehouse offers here). When choosing a charger, the three most important considerations are price, ability to schedule charging when your electricity prices are lowest, and charging speed.
Treehouse helps homeowners compare and select the right charger for their specific setup, ensuring they get a reliable, future-ready system without overpaying. We’ll also ship the charger directly to your home so it’s ready for installation.
In addition to the charger itself, installation is a critical part of the equation.
Level 1 chargers typically plug into a standard 120V wall outlet and require no special installation. If your garage or driveway already has an accessible outlet, you're likely ready to go. That said, if no outlet is available near your parking area, you may still need to hire an electrician to install one.
Level 2 chargers require a 240V electrical connection and are often hardwired directly into your home’s electrical system (Treehouse always recommends hardwiring). This setup can add ~32 miles or more of range per hour and is recommended for most EV owners – but does require a licensed, trained electrician to complete the installation.
Installing a Level 2 charging station usually starts with evaluating your home's electrical panel to ensure it has enough available capacity. If it doesn't, Treehouse will help you evaluate a number of options which can vary in cost, from no-cost options like configuring your charger to draw lower amperage, or in rare cases, higher-cost options like a panel or service upgrade. You can read more here about lower-cost alternatives to an electrical service upgrade that we often recommend.
While it might be tempting to DIY your EV charger installation, it’s increasingly risky—and could soon be outright illegal. A proposed change to the 2026 National Electrical Code (NEC) would prohibit unlicensed homeowners from installing Level 2 EV chargers themselves.
Even today, a permitted installation by a licensed electrician is not just best practice—it’s typically required for:
Treehouse handles everything end to end, including permitting, installation by a trained, licensed electrician, and inspections, so you can charge confidently without the risk of costly rework or violations.
You may also qualify for rebates and incentives to help you save on home charging installation costs, including the federal tax credit on EV charger installation. Treehouse will inform you about rebates and incentives you may qualify for.
Finally, don’t forget your monthly charging costs. Your local charging rate, usually measured in kWh, will determine what you actually pay to “fill up” your EV’s battery at home.
Many utilities offer time-of-use plans that have significantly lower rates during off-peak hours. If you charge overnight, you could save significantly compared to daytime usage. Many vehicles as well as certain “smart” EV chargers allow you to program your charger so you charge only during off-peak hours to help you save money.
The power output of your charger and your vehicle’s onboard limitations will also affect how long each charging session takes and how much energy is consumed. Most home EV chargers use AC (alternating current) charging, which supplies electricity through your home’s standard power system and is then converted by your car’s onboard charger into DC (direct current) to charge the battery. This process is slower but more predictable and consistent, especially when compared to DC fast charging, which delivers high-voltage direct current straight to the battery (available only at commercial stations).
Treehouse helps you evaluate the best plan for your area and recommends scheduling settings to keep your energy bills under control. We can also help you explore more ways to save money with an EV.
Not all chargers deliver the same performance, and when it comes to your daily routine, charging speed can make or break your experience. Understanding how quickly Level 1 vs. Level 2 chargers deliver power, how they fit into your schedule, and how they interact with your vehicle’s battery will help you make the right call for your home setup.
When deciding between Level 1 and Level 2 charging, start by thinking about how much you drive each day, whether it’s commuting to work, running errands, or driving kids to school.
If you're only putting on a few miles a day, a Level 1 charger may meet your needs. But if you regularly drive 30 miles or more, or often return home with a nearly depleted battery, you’ll likely benefit from a faster Level 2 charger that can reliably top off your battery overnight.
Choosing the right charging speed is ultimately about making sure your vehicle is always ready when you need it.
Another big benefit of charging at home is that you can plug in while you sleep. But with slow charging, like you get from a wall outlet using a Level 1 charger, it may take two or three days to reach a full charge, especially if your EV car battery is large or you’ve driven a lot that day.
Installing a Level 2 home charger enables faster charging, often completing the job in a few hours (~9 hours on average to charge from 0 to 100%, but it’s most likely you won’t often be starting from 0 every day). That makes it easier to optimize around off-peak utility rates or schedule charging in shorter overnight windows.
Charging speed isn’t just about convenience. It also impacts the health of your EV battery over time. Level 2 charging is safe for your vehicle and widely supported by automakers. However, it’s still important to understand how your EV manages power delivery. Each vehicle comes with an onboard charger that regulates how much electricity it can accept—regardless of how powerful your wall charger is.
For example, even if you install a 48-amp Level 2 charger, your car might only draw 32 amps, meaning the charging time will depend on your specific vehicle model. Treehouse helps match your charger to your car’s capabilities, so you’re not paying for more power than you can use—and you still get a safe, efficient setup that protects your battery over time.
If you’re driving a PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle), your battery is smaller, and a Level 1 charger might be enough. But for a full electric car with daily mileage, Level 2 makes a big difference in keeping the battery consistently topped up without sacrificing the long-term health of your EV car battery.
Treehouse evaluates your car’s compatibility and helps you choose a system that balances speed, safety, and long-term battery health.
If you’re leaning toward installing a Level 2 charger, it’s important to understand what your home’s electrical system can support. Unlike Level 1 charging, which uses a standard wall outlet, Level 2 chargers require more power—and that means your electrical panel must be able to handle the additional load.
Every home has a maximum amp capacity (for example 100, 150, or 200 amps), and your panel’s job is to safely distribute that electrical load across everything in your house. A Level 2 charger draws significantly more power than most household appliances, so it’s important to ensure your panel can handle it without overloading.
Even though home charging uses alternating current (AC) power, your connector and wiring must still be appropriately sized for the draw. Misjudging this can lead to tripped breakers, overheating, or failed inspections.
Treehouse conducts a full load calculation before any installation to determine if your home can handle the addition of a Level 2 charger, or if any upgrades are required. Our licensed electricians will also help you understand your home’s service capacity before working on your EV charger installation.
Even if your current EV works fine with a Level 1 charger, it’s worth thinking ahead. If you plan to buy a second electric vehicle, switch to a model with a larger battery, or simply want more flexibility in your daily schedule, a Level 1 setup may start to fall short.
Because Level 1 chargers are slower and only support one vehicle at a time, adding a second EV can create a serious bottleneck—especially if both cars need to charge overnight. Level 2 chargers offer higher power output and faster charging speeds, making it much easier to keep up with multiple vehicles or increased daily driving needs.
By installing a Level 2 system now, you can avoid the cost and hassle of upgrading later—and ensure your home charging setup continues to meet your needs as they evolve.
Here are some frequently asked questions from new EV owners about Level 1 vs. Level 2 charging.
Level 1 charging is a simple and accessible way to power your vehicle using a standard wall outlet, especially if you are an infrequent EV driver or drive a plug-in hybrid. A Level 1 EV charger adds just ~four miles of range per hour. This can be sufficient for light daily use, but for many homeowners, its slow charging doesn’t meet everyday needs.
No, Level 2 charging is perfectly safe for your battery and is recommended by major EV brands and manufacturers like Tesla, ChargePoint, and others. It delivers consistent power without the high-intensity draw associated with DC fast charging options, which are designed for rapid charging on long trips. For everyday home use, Level 2 strikes a great balance between speed and battery health.
We strongly recommend against attempting any DIY installation—especially as the National Electrical Code (NEC) is proposing changes that would make it illegal for homeowners to install Level 2 chargers themselves by 2026.
A Level 2 charger may be compact, but it’s one of the most power-intensive appliances in your home. Installing one without a permit or licensed electrician introduces major safety and liability risks, including:
Proper installation also ensures your charger meets local building codes, passes inspection, and protects both your home and your investment. That’s why Treehouse manages everything for you—from NEC-compliant load calculations to permitting, installation, and final inspection—so you never have to worry about safety or compliance.
By now, you’ve seen the key differences between Level 1 and Level 2 charging—from speed and cost to long-term convenience and electrical requirements.
If Level 2 charging feels like the right fit for your home, EV, and lifestyle, Treehouse can help you take the next step.
Get a free online estimate for a Level 2 charger installation — just answer a few quick questions about your home to get started.
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Compare the best EV chargers for 2025. Learn how to choose, install, and save money with a reliable Level 2 charger for your home.
Level 2 charging adds 20-30 miles of range per hour of charge and will fully charge your vehicle in 7-10 hours.
