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 to a faster level 2 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.

BL Electric is proud to serve Eastern Iowa. We offer EV Charger installation in Cedar Rapids, Hiawatha, Robins, Anamosa, Mount Vernon, Independence, Center Point & customers in the rural area’s in Linn, Jones and Buchanan Counties.