What size EV charger do you need?
Sizing is an overnight math problem: how many miles you add per day, how many hours the car sits, and what your panel can feed—not which marketing tile looks fastest.
Start with Level 1 vs Level 2
AFDC describes home charging as usually AC Level 1 (120 V) or AC Level 2 (208/240 V). Most shoppers asking for an “EV charger install” mean a dedicated Level 2 circuit. Level 1 can still cover light daily driving if the car parks long enough.
Amperage follows the vehicle and the panel
Level 2 commonly uses a dedicated 208/240 V branch circuit. Exact breaker and conductor sizing depend on the EVSE listing and the electrician’s load calculation. Buying a 48 A or 60 A unit does not help if the vehicle’s onboard charger caps lower, or if the service cannot support the continuous load.
DC fast charging is a different product class
Public and fleet DC-fast equipment is not a residential garage EVSE. Do not size a home project against station kW ratings you see on a highway map.
Buyer checklist
- List typical daily miles and overnight plug-in hours
- Check the vehicle’s onboard AC charge limit in the OEM manual
- Ask for a written load calculation before upsizing amperage
- Confirm indoor vs outdoor listing for the mounting location
Ready to find who to call?
Open your state page or search by ZIP for a distance-sorted list.
Common questions
- Is Level 2 always better than Level 1?
- Level 2 is faster and is what most home “charger install” quotes mean. Level 1 (120 V) can still work for low daily mileage if you can leave the car plugged in long enough. Match overnight hours and daily miles before you overspend on amperage.
- What amperage should I buy?
- Buy what your vehicle, EVSE listing, and electrical service can support after a real load calculation. Higher amperage is not automatically better if the panel cannot feed it or you never need that charge window.
- Can I trust “miles per hour of charge” marketing?
- Treat it as approximate. Real rate depends on vehicle onboard charger limits, circuit size, and temperature. Prefer circuit rating and vehicle OEM guidance over a single miles-per-hour claim.