What is a Level 1 EV Charger? Features, Specs & Charging Speed

What is a Level 1 EV Charger?

A Level 1 EV charger is the most basic type of electric vehicle charging equipment. It uses a standard 120-volt AC outlet (the same as typical household plugs) and requires no special installation. This makes it the easiest and most cost-effective entry point into EV charging, especially for home users.

Key Features

• Voltage: 120V AC

• Power Output: ~1.4–2.4 kW

• Connector Type: Typically uses SAE J1772 (for North America)

• Installation: No dedicated charger unit or electrician required

• Portability: Comes with most EVs as part of the standard charging kit

Charging Speed

• Adds about 6–8 km (3–5 miles) of range per hour of charging

• Takes approximately 8–20 hours to fully charge a typical EV battery

🔌 Callout: Level 1 chargers are the simplest, most accessible way to charge your EV — just plug into a standard wall outlet and power up overnight.