Level 1 EV Charger: Most Budget-Friendly, What Else To Know? (2023)

Electric Cars
Updated On - February 1, 2024

Level 1 charger is the first type of charger for EV owners and for sure the slowest charger.

In Level 1 charger you use the standard household plugs. They are typically used for overnight charging Or for drivers who have access to electrical outlets in their garage or parking space.

What is a Level 1 EV Charger?

The outlet for slow or level 1 EV charging is 120V, also called trickle charging. It gives 3-5 miles of charge per hour.

The speed of charging and range depends upon the efficiency of the vehicle’s charging system. Charging the battery slowly with Level 1 is good for its health and lifespan.

Many vehicles have a charging connector that connects to a Level 1 outlet. The outlet gives between 10 to 20 amps for charging, and the charging usually happens at 7 to 12 amps.

Usually, the Level 1 charger can give about 40 miles of range for a charging period of about 8 hours.

Best Level 1 EV Charger In Market (2023)

Here is the list of level 1 EV chargers in the market that you can consider for your home charging station.

1- Megear

Megear is a brand that sells EV charging solutions in North America. They offer level 1 charging that is compatible with all EV vehicles. There is a charging adapter to charge Tesla.

Megear brand was founded in 2014 in New York State.

Megear has different level 1 options: Megear Skysword level 1, Megear Flex level 1. The price range for these level 1 chargers vary between $200 – $350.

2- Tesla

Tesla has a level 1 charger that uses the standard 110/120 V plug. The tesla level 1 charger gives about 3-4 miles of range per hour.

Tesla no longer includes the level 1 charger when you purchase the vehicle. It offers it for about $200. The charger comes with a adapter and possibly in future includes more adapters.

The warranty for normal residential use is 48 months and the warranty for normal commercial use is 12 months. We also wrote about Tesla Wall Connector vs. Mobile Connector.

3- Lectron

One popular brand for Level 1 chargers is Lectron, which offers a portable Level 1 J1772 EV charger.

The charger is compatible with J1772 EVs and has a NEMA 5-15 plug, with an input power of 110V.

It has a 16A charging capacity and comes with a 21-foot extension cord, making it a compact, durable, and easy-to-use option for those seeking a convenient charger.

The Lectron Level 1 EV Charger has a 1-year warranty that covers defects in materials and assembly of the product. In addition, customers may choose to purchase an extended warranty from Extend, which can add up to 3 years of coverage for a total of 4 years of coverage.

The Lectron Level 1 EV Charger is weather-resistant and has built-in protection against overvoltage, overcurrent, and short circuits.

4- BougeRV

BougeRV portable electric vehicle charger is compatible with all EVs that use the SAE J1772 connector.

It’s powerful and flexible, offering a 16-amp rating and delivering up to 3.8 kW of power when plugged into a 240V outlet. Or up to 1.9 kW of power when plugged into a 120V outlet.

Mounting the BougeRV Level 1 charger is easy. Just choose a location that’s close to your electric vehicle and has access to a 120V or 240V outlet. Then, use the included wall-mount bracket to secure the charger and connect the cable to your EV’s charging port.

If you’re using a 240V outlet, make sure to use the NEMA 6-20 plug, and if you’re using a 120V outlet, use the included NEMA 5-15 adapter.

Specs for the BougeRV Level 1 charger are impressive. It comes with a 25-foot cable, providing ample length to reach your electric vehicle’s charging port.

The charger also has an IP55 rating, protecting it against dust and low-pressure water jets.

And with LED indicator lights to show the charging status, you can monitor your EV’s charging progress at a glance.

The price for BougeRV is around $199.

5- Chevy Volt Level 1 Charger

Chevy Volt owners have two charging options available to them: Level 1 and Level 2.

The Chevy Volt comes with a Level 1 charger, which can be used to charge the car at a rate of about 4 miles per hour. A full charge can take up to 13 hours, but it’s ideal for overnight charging or topping off after short trips.

6- ZenCar Level 1 Charger

Zencar is a brand that specializes in electric vehicle components, including EV plugs, sockets, and charging stations.

ZenCar’s Level 1 charger is a flexible and portable option for charging EVs.

This adjustable trickle charger plugs into any standard 120V wall outlet.

The ZenCar Level 1 charger features multiple safety features, including lightning-proof protection and overcurrent protection, making it a safe option for charging your electric vehicle.

The LED indicator on the charging cable shows the charging status. Plus, the timer function allows users to schedule charging sessions and take advantage of off-peak electricity rates.

It comes with a wall mount cradle and offers an adjustable charging rate so that users can set the charging rate that works best for them.

The ZenCar Level 1 charger is compatible with most electric vehicles and uses the NEMA 5-15 plug, providing a standard charging solution for EV owners.

Price of ZenCar level 1 charger is about $199.

7- ShockFlo

ShockFlo is a company that specializes in EV products. The HQ is in California and founded in 2016. They have a charger that is called ShockFlo G Mini. This offers both Level 1 and Level 2 charging capabilities.

It is compatible with all EVs and plug-in hybrid cars that meet J1772 standards.

The charger comes with a NEMA 6-20 plug, with a NEMA 5-15 adapter for Level 1 charging.

The device is also waterproof and dustproof, and it features an IP65 rating for added peace of mind.

It has got 21-foot charging cord provides enough length for most garages or yards.

The price for ShockFlo G Mini is about $130.

What is the difference between Level 1 and Level 2 Charger?

Level 1 chargers are slower and provide less power than Level 2 chargers.

They charge at 120V and deliver a lower range, between 1-1.4 kWh, which is designed for the good health of the battery.

Level 1 chargers are good for charging electric vehicles with shorter ranges and smaller batteries. They charge 2-5 miles per hour, which is generally enough for short daily commutes.

On the other hand, Level 2 chargers are faster and provide more power. They charge at 240V and can deliver 3.3-19.2 kWh of power, which adds a range of 10-60 miles per hour.

Level 2 chargers are best suited for electric vehicles with longer ranges and bigger batteries, although they do require a specialized charging spot.

How Fast is Level 1 Charger?

When it comes to electric vehicle charging, Level 1 charging is definitely more budget-friendly compared to Level 2 and DC Fast Charging.

However, it’s worth noting that this charging method can be slow and may not meet the needs of some EV owners.

One of the downsides of Level 1 charging is that it can take up to 8 hours to fully charge a plug-in hybrid vehicle, which may be sufficient for short commutes but may not be ideal for EVs with bigger batteries and longer ranges.

In fact, if an EV needs 200 miles of charge, it could take up to 40 hours of charging time on a Level 1 charger.

The Problems with Level 1 Charger?

For the owners of electric vehicles with larger batteries or longer commutes, the Level 1 charger may not be the most practical option.

But, for local, urban drives, it can be the best choice.

Not only is it more cost-effective, but it also consumes less energy than higher-powered chargers.

Keep in mind that if you’re looking for faster charging times, you may want to consider upgrading to a Level 2 charger or even a DC Fast Charger.

These options can deliver more power, allowing for quicker charging, but they come at a higher cost.

It’s important to weigh your options and choose the best charger for your specific needs.

Charger Extension Cord

For EV charging, it’s important to use the right equipment and avoid using extension cords. This is because extension cords may not have wires that can handle the high current needed for charging an EV, and they can heat up and potentially cause a fire or explosion.

Level 1 EV Charging Rate

In USA:

Charging a vehicle that takes 27 kWh to travel 100 miles will cost 3 cents for each mile, residential charging rates are 11. 7 cents per kWh.

In Canada:

Varies from 7 cents to 15 cents per hour and there are peak and off-peak hours, it is the cheapest way to do it, Level 2 charging rates are higher but it needs only 8-10 hours to charge an EV, Level 3 super charging varies from 20-22 dollars for a full charge.

In UK:

Some charging points are free, while others are cheaper at 0.20 pounds per kWh. Fast charging is more expensive. Ranging from 0.40 to 1 pound every kWh.