Level 1 vs Level 2 - The Charging Difference
At Home EV Charging
For a free site assessment and a straight quote, give our team a call at (732) 228-2243.
We install Level 2 home EV chargers throughout Brick Township, Toms River, Point Pleasant, Lakewood, Jackson, and the rest of Ocean / Monmouth County. We install Tesla Wall Connectors, ChargePoint Home Flex, Wallbox, Grizzl-E, JuiceBox, and every other reputable residential EV charger, along with hardwired 240V outlets for any charger you already own.
If you own an EV, you’re vehicle likely came with a standard charging cable, most EV’s ship with a level 1 cable that plugs into a standard 120v household outlet, the issue with that? It is painfully slow!
Adds about 3-5 miles of range per hour of charging. A fully depleted 300-mile EV would need 60-100 hours on Level 1 to fully charge. Fine as an emergency backup, terrible as your daily driver.
Adds 20-40 miles of range per hour depending on the charger amperage and your car's onboard charger. Most EVs fully charge overnight on Level 2. This is what every EV owner actually wants at home.
Not a residential install. Level 3 requires commercial three-phase power and costs tens of thousands of dollars per unit. You only see these at public charging stations.
For almost every homeowner, the right answer is a Level 2 charger on a dedicated 40-amp or 50-amp circuit. That setup supports every current EV on the market and will handle future vehicles as well.
Some EV chargers can be installed within an hour, others are half-day project that require an electrical panel upgrade and trenching.
This is the step many "EV charger installers" skip, and it's how homeowners end up with tripping main breakers after the install. We calculate your home's actual load including the new charger and verify your panel and service can handle it. If they can't, we recommend either a lower-amperage charger setting or a panel upgrade before the install.
Chargers Our Team Installs
Our electricians are trained to install mostly every major level 2 charger currently available on the market, and some of the most popular options are:
The default for Tesla owners, and with the J1772 adapter that ships with Tesla vehicles, the connector on the car works at non-Tesla chargers too. The Wall Connector itself is excellent hardware, Wi-Fi connected, and supports multiple units sharing a circuit through load balancing. We install them hardwired, which is the recommended configuration. Did we mention? We are tesla certified!
One of the most popular universal J1772 chargers, works with every non-Tesla EV out of the box (and with a J1772 adapter, every Tesla too). Excellent app, adjustable amperage, NEMA 14-50 plug or hardwire configurations.
Compact, reliable, good app, supports load balancing. Popular in Brick Township and Toms River for garages where space matters.
Simpler hardware, no app, durable, priced below the bigger-name chargers. For homeowners who want a no-frills Level 2 charger that just works, this is a great option.
Budget Level 2 options that still deliver real Level 2 charging speeds.
Is An Upgrade Needed?
Do You Need To Upgrade Your Electrical Panel For Your EV Charger?
The honest answer? Maybe. A lot of Ocean / Monmouth County homes were built with 100-amp panels that are already running close to capacity with modern HVAC, appliances, and everything else. Adding a 48-amp EV charger on top of that can push the total load past what the panel safely handles.
- You already have a 100-amp panel and a full electric home (electric dryer, electric range, central AC, electric water heater)
- Your panel is older than 25 years or is a Federal Pacific / Zinsco
- Your breaker box is already full and you need a new dedicated circuit anyway
- Your main breaker trips occasionally during heavy use
- You have a 200-amp panel with open slots and a moderate load profile
- You have natural gas heat, gas hot water, gas cooking, and your actual load calculation comes in well under capacity
We do the load calc as part of every site assessment. If you need a panel upgrade, we quote it separately and you can bundle the two projects into one visit, which saves significantly on labor. See our electrical panel upgrade page for what that involves.
What to know
Questions About Your Home EV Charger?
Installing an EV charger requires some thought, chances are your question has been asked before, find the answers below!
Yes. Tesla Wall Connectors include the NACS connector, and most non-Tesla EVs now include a NACS adapter or will shortly. Alternatively, a universal J1772 charger like the ChargePoint Home Flex or Wallbox Pulsar works with every EV on the market including Teslas (with the Tesla adapter that ships with every Tesla).
A straightforward install usually takes 2-4 hours on site. Complex installs with long cable runs, conduit, or finished space access can take a full day. Installs that include a panel upgrade run 1-2 days total.
Yes. Every EV charger circuit in New Jersey requires an electrical permit and an inspection. We handle both. Never hire an installer who tells you a permit isn't needed, it's a legal requirement and it protects your insurance coverage.
It depends on your car, your panel, and your charging habits. Most current EVs have onboard chargers that top out at 11.5 kW (48-amp / 240V), and a 48-amp circuit will charge them as fast as they can accept. A 40-amp charger is about 16% slower but costs less and is easier on a marginal panel. We recommend what fits your actual situation.
No, not legally in New Jersey. EV charger installation requires a licensed electrician, a permit, and an inspection. DIY installation creates fire and shock risk and voids most charger manufacturers' warranties.
Yes. If you prefer a 14-50 outlet so you can unplug the charger and take it with you, we install them. The NEC now requires GFCI protection on new 14-50 circuits in most installations, which we handle.
Yes, but less than most people expect. Charging 1,000 miles a month on a typical EV costs roughly $30-$50 on most utility rates, substantially less than the equivalent fuel cost in a gas car. We can help you calculate your specific expected cost during the site assessment.
fAST, FREE & FRIENDLY ESTIMATES EVERY TIME
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Every install is different, and the only way to quote yours accurately is to see it in person. We’ll come out, look at your panel, walk the cable path, and give you a detailed written quote. Call (732) 228-2243 or book your free estimate online
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Installing EV Chargers In Ocean & Monmouth County
Electrical Inspections Throughout
Our electricians are fully licensed and able to install EV chargers within the following towns, often within the same-day! Don’t see your area listed? Check our expanded service area using the button below.
– Brick Township including Herbertsville, Laurelton, Midstreams, and the barrier island sections
– Toms River, Silverton, Pleasant Plains, and Holiday City
– Wall Township
– Bay Head, Lavallette, Mantoloking, and Seaside
– Lakewood, Howell and Jackson Township
EV adoption in jersey is climbing every year. We’ve installed chargers for Teslas, Rivians, F-150 Lightnings, Mach-Es, Ioniq 5s, Kona EVs, and essentially every other EV on the road right now. What matters isn’t the car, it’s getting your install done right so the charger works reliably for the life of the vehicle.