Electric vehicles (EVs) are quickly becoming the way of the future. As technology progresses, these cars are becoming more affordable, meaning more people can enjoy the benefits they have to offer.
Not only are electric cars better for the environment, but they are also much cheaper to run and maintain than their gasoline powered counterparts.
However, just because they don't need gas, doesn't mean you won't need to refill your car on a regular basis. Instead of refilling a tank, you will need to keep the battery in your vehicle topped up if you want it to stay on the road.
You can buy a level one charger for your EV, which is portable and can be plugged into any 120V wall outlet for charging your car.
However, these chargers can take a while to get your battery to 100%, and if you want your car to charge faster than it is worthwhile investing in a Level 2 charger instead.
Level 2 chargers are often wall mounted or freestanding power stations that offer 240V of power for charging your electric car quickly and efficiently.
This means you can hit the road whenever you want, without having to wait ages for the battery to refill. In this article, we will show some of the best level 2 chargers for using with your EV.
The JuiceBox 32 is an all-in-one solution for charging your electric car. It offers 7.7Kw of power at 32 amps, meaning that it can charge your cars' battery six times faster than other models.
It consists of a main power box that is connected to a 25ft cable, meaning you can set this unit up almost anywhere and still be able to reach your vehicle.
When you aren't using the cable, it can be rolled up and stored on the available rack that is located directly under the main box. You will need to hire a professional electrician to install a 240V power supply in your home and connect your JuiceBox to it.
The unit comes with built-in dynamic LED lights, allowing you to see exactly how full your battery is and how much juice it needs to reach 100%.
There is also native app support, so you can monitor your charging progress from your phone. If you have an Amazon Echo, then you can link the JuiceBox up to that, as well as control your charger with simple voice commands.
The plug at the end of the cable is compatible with all brands of EV, even those made by Tesla thanks to the special Tesla adapter that comes in the box.
Pros
Very fast EV charger.
Comes with a long 25ft cable.
Includes a special adapter for use with Tesla vehicles.
If you're looking for a more portable charger, then Morec is definitely worth checking out. This unit is a cable with a special plug for fitting into a Nema 14-50 plug socket that you will need to have installed somewhere on your property.
The Morec charger is very easy to use and is capable of getting your battery to 100% in no time at all.
This model has been designed specifically to be portable and a great solution for people traveling away from home with their electric vehicle.
It is built to last with all the necessary safety precautions in place to prevent short circuits, voltage spikes or other unforeseen issues. The case around the circuitry is completely water tight, and specially welded to provide excellent heat dissipation.
You can use the Morec with any EV that meets the SAE J1772 standard, which includes the Chevy Volt, Nissan Leaf, and all Tesla Model S cars.
With the LCD screen on this unit, you can keep track of how much power your battery has left, and how long it will take for it to fully charge. This product is fully CE certified and approved for use by the relevant regulatory boards.
Pros
Portable and effective level two EV charger.
The main circuitry is protected by a waterproof casing.
Compatible with most EVs that use SAE J1772 charging ports.
This is another model that will require you to pay an electrician to hard-wire either a Nema 6-50 or 14-50 plug socket in your garage. Once this is done, you will find the ChargePoint home flex a great option for keeping your EV on the road with minimal hassle.
It has a flexible amp output that can range from 16-50, depending on how fast you need to charge your vehicle and how much power your battery can take.
ChargePoint is compatible with all major brands of electric vehicles, including Teslas, Nissan Leafs, and Chevrolet Bolt or Volt models. It allows you to charge your vehicle up to 9x faster than you could with a Level 1 charger hooked up to a 120V wall outlet.
Furthermore, this product is Energy Star certified, which means it can save you money on your electricity bills when compared to other Level 2 charging stations.
As with the JuiceBox, this model has native app support, so you can monitor your car's charging status from your phone. This app also allows you to automatically start charging at specific times, so you can start refilling your battery when electricity is cheapest.
The app also works with Alexa, so you can start charging your vehicle with a simple voice command from your living room.
Pros
Superfast, adjustable charging stations.
Compatible with all models of EV.
Native app support and can be controlled with Alexa.
Cons
Needs internet connection for activation and operation.
The Blink Home level 2 EV charger is one of the best options if you're looking for a compact yet effective charger.
You will need to have a Nema 6-50 plug installed in your garage for powering this unit, which may require a professional electrician if you don't already have one.
Once this is done, Blink offers hassle-free, no nonsense charging solutions for electric vehicle owners.
For a start, there is no app, which means that while you may miss out on a few bells and whistles, you don't have to worry about having a Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connection for your charger. Simply plug your charger into the walls, and you are ready to go.
It's compatible with all major brands, and you can buy a separate J1772 adapter for connecting this unit to a Tesla.
The only problem with this unit is that you have to rely on three tiny LEDs to know how close your battery is to 100%. Apart from this, though, the Blink Home charging station is a sleek and efficient option for any EV owner.
Pros
Sleek and stylish design.
Compatible with all brands of electric cars.
Easy and quick installation.
Cons
It can be difficult to know when your vehicle is fully charged.
The Grizzl-E Level 2 EV charger is another product that is designed to just be very easy to install.
Provided you have a 14-50 outlet in your home, all you need to do is attach this unit to the mounting bracket, plug it in and start charging. This also makes it very easy to unplug and take with you where-ever you go.
Since it is compatible with all EVs manufactured in North America, you won't have to worry about any compatibility issues if you buy this charger.
It has a 24ft cable, which means you should have no problem reaching your vehicle no matter where you install it.
This unit also has the ability to alter its amperage and voltage, ensuring it provides exactly the right amount of power for your electric car or truck.
The Grizzl-E is a heavy-duty charger that is built to withstand anything. It is EL certified with inbuilt protection against current or voltage spikes, as well as overheating or short circuits.
With a rigid and durable construction, this charging station is built to withstand any weather conditions and can even automatically recover if it is cut off during a power outage.
Pros
Durable construction.
Can be removed from its mounting bracket and taken with you.
The Pulsar Plus Level 2 EV charger is another great option if you're looking for an affordable yet powerful charger.
You may think judging by its size alone that this unit would struggle to provide enough power for an Electric vehicle. However, once it has been plugged into a 14-50 socket, this miniature charging station can provide a surprising amount of juice.
This is another unit that can adjust its output to match the needs of your vehicles. You can install it outside if you want, thanks to the Nema-4 watertight casing that keeps all the electronics safe from the elements.
The Pulsar Plus is EL certified, which makes it perfectly safe for use, with protection against short circuits as well as voltage and current spikes.
You can connect multiple copies of the same circuit, so you can charge multiple EVs at once.
This model can connect to your smartphone via Wi-Fi, but if you can't get a solid internet connection, then you can use Bluetooth instead. It is also compatible with Alexa, so you can control it with simple voice commands.
Pros
Sleek and compact design.
Weatherproof and EL certified.
You can connect multiple devices to the same circuit for charging more than one vehicle.
Before buying any type of home charger, there are several things you should consider first.
You will want something that is easy to install where you want it, while still providing enough power for your vehicle. Here are a few tips to bear in mind while you are shopping for a level-2 charger.
Installation
Most level 2 EV chargers will require you to hire a professional electrician for installing a 240V power outlet in your garage.
Some chargers will make this process simpler than others, and you want a long input cable to prevent you needing an additional junction box. If you want to choose one of these options, then you will need to make sure you have planning permission for the installation.
If you own your own home, then this shouldn't be a problem, but if you live in a communal building, getting these permissions will be more difficult.
Alternatively, you could buy a portable level 2 charger like the Morec we looked at above. However, these units will only work at Nema 6-50 or 14-50 plug sockets, so if you want to use them at home you will still need an electrician to install one of these sockets for you.
Compatibility
Naturally, you will want any charger you buy to be compatible with your vehicle. Most electric cars and trucks now use SAE J1772 standard charging ports, and if your car does too then you shouldn't have an issue finding a compatible charger.
Some products will even come with special adapters for plugging into other types of vehicle, which is a very useful feature to have.
Power Cable Length
When you buy a charging station, the first thing you will need to think about is where you are going to put it. This will often involve consulting with an electrician to find the best place for hard-wiring a 240V power outlet.
If you can get your station to be in your garage, then this is typically the best place to put it, since it will be protected from the elements and will always be near your car.
Wherever you put the charger itself, you will need to make sure it has a long enough cable for reaching your car.
App Support
Many level 2 chargers will have native app support for connecting to your smartphone or mobile device. This allows you to set timers for when to charge your vehicle, see how close your battery is to 100%, as well as view other useful information about your electric car.
Some chargers will even work with Amazon Echo speakers, meaning you can control them through simple voice commands via Alexa.
All of these features can be very convenient, but they can cause problems as well. For one, if your internet connection isn't stable, or capable of reaching your garage, then you won't want a charger that needs to be online in order to work.
Secondly, some apps can be more buggy than others, so always make sure to check customer reviews before you buy a product that needs an app to unlock its full potential.
Safety
240V is a lot of power, and as such you will want to buy a charger that is safe above all else. Look out for features like heat sinks, and waterproof casings to protect your unit from the elements as well as current or voltage spikes.
Any product you buy needs to be ETL certified to make sure it conforms to regulations about the safety of electronic appliances.
If your charger overheats, or short circuits, it will not only affect the unit itself, but may also have a negative impact on your vehicle.
Always read the instructions thoroughly when you buy a level 2 charger and make sure you follow them to prevent anything from going wrong.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is The Difference Between A Level 1 And Level 2 EV Charger?
Electric vehicles are getting better every day, with bigger batteries than ever before. However, with bigger batteries comes the need for more powerful chargers for topping them up.
Level 1 chargers are units that can be plugged into a regular 120V electrical outlet. This makes them a versatile option for charging your EV as you would any other electrical appliance in your house, by simply plugging it into a wall.
However, this means that they can take a long time to get your car up to 100%, and they are generally less efficient due to the way they are designed.
If you want to build your own dedicated EV charging station in your garage or home, then you will want a level 2 charger instead. Level 2 chargers plug into the Nema 6-50 or 14-50 sockets that you will commonly see at official EV charging stations.
This means, to install one in your home, you will need to have a professional electrician fit one of these sockets in your garage. Once this is done, Level 2 chargers offer a lot of advantages over their level 1 counterparts.
Many of them have adjustable amperage for matching the output required by the vehicle they are charging. They are also much faster and can get the battery in your electric car to 100% 6x faster than a level 1 charger.
Derek Bruce has interests in many diverse subjects, including gardening, electric vehicles, creative writing and science fiction. "Really look at any flower or mechanism and you will see the whole Universe!"
Sitemap DB Marketing and SEO, Casa de Serrabodes, CP827, Mexhilhoeira Grande, Faro, Portugal - Bus. Reg: 9996004777432 - Tel: +351 969147910 derekbruce597@gmail.com
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