Level 1 chargers:

These chargers can be plugged into any standard 120V outlet, with the other end being plugged directly into the car. Many EV car owners start with a level 1 charger. Level 1 chargers are cost-efficient, best for those who drive infrequently or for short trips. They will add about 3-5 miles to the battery per hour of charging.

A full charge will take between 8 to 16 hours for a full charge. This is not an ideal situation if your car is out of battery and can take up to 16 hours to get back to 100%.

Factors that affect charging speed

There are 5 main factors that affect the time it takes to charge an electric vehicle.

• Size of battery: The bigger your vehicle’s battery capacity the longer it will take to charge.

• Current State of battery (empty vs. full): If you are charging from empty, or at 50% charge.

• Max charging rate of vehicle: You can only charge a vehicle’s battery at the maximum charge rate the vehicle can accept. For example; if your vehicle’s max charge rate is 7kW, you won’t charge any faster by using a 15kW charger.

• Environmental factors: A colder temperature can make it take slightly longer to charge, particularly when using a rapid charger. Colder temperatures also mean vehicles are less efficient, so less miles are added per time charging.

Should I upgrade my level 1 charger?

If you feel that the level 1 charger is not suitable for your conditions, you can upgrade to a level 2. Level 2 Chargers are able to charge your car up to 10 times faster than a level 1 charger and can fully charge your car within 4-6 hours. For more information about level 2 chargers please contact us and we would be happy to discuss options with you.