What are the common Level 2 charger amperages?
Common Level 2 amperages are 16, 24, 32, 40 and 48 amps. Each pairs with a breaker one and a quarter times larger: 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 amps. Higher amperage charges faster, up to the limit your vehicle accepts.
Many chargers are adjustable, letting you set a lower output than the maximum. That flexibility is handy when your panel is tight or when you plan to upgrade the service later and want to raise the setting without rewiring.
Level 1, by comparison, uses a standard 120 volt outlet and charges slowly. Level 2 on 240 volts is what most owners install at home for daily use, since it turns an overnight stop into a full charge for typical driving.
Does a higher amp charger always charge faster?
No, a higher amp charger only charges faster if your vehicle can accept that much power. Each car has an onboard charger with its own limit, and a 48 amp charger cannot push more into the battery than the car allows.
Check your owner's manual for the maximum AC charging rate. If your car tops out at a lower number, installing a bigger circuit costs more without adding any speed, and the extra money is better spent elsewhere in the project.
There is still a reason to size up in some cases. A larger circuit leaves room for a future vehicle that charges faster, and it avoids reopening walls later. Your electrician can talk through that tradeoff when they visit and see the layout.
How much amperage does a typical Phoenix-area driver need?
Most drivers in the Phoenix area get a full overnight charge from a 32 or 40 amp Level 2 charger. Daily commutes use only part of a battery, so a moderate circuit is usually enough and keeps panel demands and installation scope in check.
Think about the hours your car sits at home. A vehicle plugged in each evening for eight or more hours has plenty of time to recover a day of driving at moderate amperage, even after a long West Valley commute or a weekend trip.
Arizona rate plans that favor overnight use also suit slow, steady charging. Check current terms with your utility, APS or SRP, for time of use options, since the plans and their hours change over time.
What limits the amperage I can install at home?
Your panel capacity limits the amperage you can install, along with the wire run and the charger's own rating. A load calculation shows how many amps your service can spare after AC, appliances and other loads are counted. Your electrician confirms the result.
Homes with large AC systems or pool equipment may have less room, while a home with a 200 amp service and gas appliances may have plenty. There is no shortcut to the answer, and a neighbor's result does not predict yours.
If the panel is short, options include dialing down the charger, adding load management or upgrading the panel. Call Vortech for a written quote, and we will lay out what your home can support and what each option involves.
Need an EV Charger Installed?
Vortech installs Level 2 home chargers across Phoenix, Glendale, Peoria, Sun City, Sun City West and Surprise. See EV charger installation or read the full guide on this topic.
More questions: Home EV Charger Installation: 12 Most Asked Questions Answered