If you've recently bought an electric vehicle — or you're thinking about it — one of the first questions you'll face is: should I install a Level 2 charger at home? The short answer for most people: yes, absolutely.
Level 1 vs Level 2: What's the Difference?
Every EV comes with a standard 120V Level 1 charging cable that plugs into a regular outlet. It works, but it's slow — typically adding only 4–5 miles of range per hour. A Level 2 charger operates on a 240V circuit (the same voltage your dryer or electric range uses) and delivers 20–30 miles of range per hour. Most EVs can be fully charged overnight in 6–10 hours. That difference is significant when you need a full battery by morning.
What Does Installation Actually Involve?
- Assessing your electrical panel's available capacity
- Running a dedicated 240V/50-amp circuit from the panel to your garage
- Installing a wall-mounted charging outlet or hardwired charging unit
- Pulling the required permits in your town
- Final inspection by the local building department
Do You Need a Panel Upgrade First?
Older homes in the Dover area often have 100-amp service panels. Think of your panel's capacity like lanes on a highway — the more devices drawing power at once, the more lanes you need. If your panel is already near capacity, adding a high-draw EV circuit can push it past its safe limit, leading to tripped breakers or overheating. In those cases, upgrading to 200-amp service first is the right move. We evaluate your panel's current load as part of every EV charger consultation.
What Does It Cost?
Every installation is different. The cost depends on factors like how far your garage is from your electrical panel, how much capacity your panel currently has available, and your municipality's permit fees. We assess each project individually and walk you through exactly what's needed before any work begins. We serve homeowners throughout Dover, Portsmouth, Exeter, Rochester, Durham, Hampton, Somersworth, Newmarket, and Stratham, as well as South Berwick, Kittery, and York in Southern Maine. Financing is also available through Wisetack for qualifying projects.