Any recommendations for a level 1 charger?

I just bought a 2024 EV6 today. My breaker box is on the opposite side of the house from the garage, and I’m moving in the spring. Not sure if I should pull 240V into this garage. Any recommendations for a reliable Level 1 charger? I might be crazy to rely on Level 1, but I was only driving my gas car around 200 miles a week, so I’m hoping Level 1 can keep up for now.

Congrats on getting the EV6, and welcome to the world where you’ll get to know a lot more about how electricity works! I personally like the Lectron charger. I got one that works with both Level 1 and Level 2, but make sure you check specs because some of them can be a bit off. I’d recommend avoiding the off-brand ones and stick to something like Lectron, which has decent reviews.

Definitely check out the outlets in your garage. Every amp and volt makes a difference, and some garages have beefier circuits. If you’re not sure, have an electrician take a look.

I used a Level 1 plugged into a 15-amp outlet, and it worked for me, but it did trip the breaker now and then. When I upgraded to Level 2, I had an electrician put in a 20-amp circuit. He checked the old outlet and found some discoloration, so I was probably lucky I didn’t have bigger issues.

I drove with Level 1 for a few months, charging overnight, and it was fine for my 40-mile daily drive. I recently switched to Level 2 and found it about 25% more efficient, but if you’re not driving a lot, Level 1 should be okay for a while.

@emma
We’ve been using this one with our EV6 for about a year now. It’s a Skysword II we got from Amazon. Pretty happy with it.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B075GJK2S9/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

@emma
I’d recommend the Vevor Level 1/2 charger. It’s affordable at about $100 and comes with a longer cord and a carrying case. You can also adjust the max amps, which is nice. The app lets you time the charging, but I haven’t really used that feature. You can find it on Amazon. There’s also a good extension cord you can get with it if you need extra length.

https://www.amazon.com/VEVOR-Portable-Charger-Electric-Charging/dp/B0C9ZN1M97/

@emma
I used Level 1 for three years and had a 50-mile commute. Totally doable even in New York. You should be fine.

You can grab an OEM-branded Level 1 charger from eBay. A Webasto Turbocord is also a good choice and you might find one there.

I picked up a Level 1 charger from a Chrysler Pacifica on eBay for under $100, and it’s working great so far. Like you, I don’t drive a ton, so Level 1 is enough for me. I also take advantage of some free Level 2 charging stations around town, which helps.

I went with the Webasto Go charger for Level 1 after some research. It seemed to be one of the most recommended options and was also listed on Kia’s site as a mobile charging solution.

Whatever you get, make sure it’s UL listed so you don’t have to worry about safety. I’ve had the EV6 for about a week now, and so far, so good with the charger!

Check out the recommendations on the EVcharging section of this forum. Lots of good info there.

I use an Amproad L1/L2 charger, and it’s been great. I paid about $250 for it, and it’s been solid.

Just plug it in when you get home, and you’ll be fine. I drive similar miles with my Niro, and it’s been working out perfectly on Level 1.

Others have already mentioned some good brands. Just make sure whatever you get is UL certified for safety.

I picked up a Rivian L1/L2 charger on eBay for about $200. It’s been working well, and I keep it in the car just in case I need it when traveling. I might go for a hardwired solution down the line, but for now, Level 1 is doing the job.

I use the Muetex L1/L2 from Amazon. No issues so far. For your mileage, Level 1 should be fine. I eventually had a 220V circuit installed for Level 2, but Level 1 worked fine before that.

Wait, it didn’t come with a cable? Seems odd they don’t include a standard 120V cable with the car.

Make sure you get a UL-certified device, and ideally one that can switch between Level 1 and Level 2. I use a Shell Recharge unit, but today I’d probably go for something like the J+ Booster 40A.

Here’s the link for that: https://jplusbooster.com/products/j-booster-2-level-2-ev-charger-portable-25ft?srsltid=AfmBOooX7z3Ns4lPMZa_DfhOf_UZDtPjNGzOzjTpg3GblqHTsz4Te6iV

The State of Charge YouTube channel does really thorough reviews if you want more info: https://youtube.com/@stateofchargewithtommoloughney?si=mEc6EUJZmcraNnC5

If you’re in the UK, I’ve been using this one. It’s well-known and doesn’t overheat. Plus, the price is great.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07TZQXXBN

Just avoid anything that outputs more than 10A.

I bought the MUSTART Level 1/2 portable charger from Amazon. It’s been working great. I was adding about 45 miles of range overnight using a 15A outlet. You should be good with something like this until you settle into a place where you can install a Level 2 charger.

Honestly, I’d recommend getting a Level 2 charger when you can. It just makes everything so much easier.