Level 2 EV chargers

[PHAT]

We are looking to replace our vehicle with a new EV, hopefully soon.  It will be a Kia, so will probably be a CCS charger (They will be switching to NACS/Tesla plugs apparently, but won't actually be available until 2025 sometime, and we are hoping to get one before then if available in our area).  I'm looking into level 2 charger options for our house.  Our garage/carport is wired for one, but we don't actually have the charger/plug.  What requirements and features should I be looking for?  What are some must-haves, what should we be avoiding?  I live in BC (Canada), and we have some rebates available for installation as long as I buy from the "approved list", which is quite extensive.

[waltworks]

If you already have 240v service at some reasonable amperage to your garage, you can just buy a wide variety of chargers that will plug into your CCS port and a NEMA 14-50 plug/outlet.  That can be had for as little as $100 or so if you're willing to roll the dice on a random Chinese one off Ebay, or as much as $300-400 if you buy an overpriced OEM part from a dealership.

So really, there's not much to do. You might have to change out the existing outlet in the garage if it's not already 14-50, but that's a $10 DIY job assuming you're capable of locating/switching off the breaker while doing it.

-W

[Paper Chaser]

If you already have the 240V outlet, you just need the charging cord, or EVSE. These typically are included with purchase of an EV.

If the EV you buy doesn't have one, or the provided one won't work, they make tons of options with various plug connections and lengths that can be sourced easily online. Find one with the proper plugs on each end, and the right length, and you're good to go.



Notice that the CCS connector is the J1772 connector with the addition of two extra pins on the bottom that handle Direct Current fast charging (Level 3). Your home doesn't have DC, so even if your EV has a CCS port, you only need the J1772 connector on the charge cord for Level 1 or Level 2 charging. The two DC pins on the bottom of the CCS aren't used unless you're doing level 3, DC fast charging.

[geekette]

We have a '23 Kia Niro EV.  Things might be different here in the US but ours didn't come with ANY charging cables. The dealership agreed to include a level 1 with the purchase of the car, which, of course took a couple weeks to get here.  We got our one (and so far only) experience with paid public charging in the first week.

Most recommend hard wiring the EVSE, but if you have a good quality outlet, you're probably okay.  I've seen a few pics of melted outlets, though so we hard wired.  Our local electric company paid for the install and, when pushed, the installing company recommended either Emporia or Grizzl-E (which is Canadian made).  We tossed a coin and ended up with the Emporia, which gets the job done.

Both have apps.  I find the Emporia gives me enough info to figure out how much power/money I'm stuffing into the car, but it's clunky, and really meant for a whole connected house.  The app will allow you to throttle the charging speed/amperage.  We have run into some problems with the charging being briefly interrupted multiple times per session, possibly due to overheating, but have yet to figure that out.

Most cars also have controls for charging speed and scheduling.   

Highly recommend an EV!

[JLee]

I have two Emporia chargers and I have been happy with them.  I had a Chargepoint Home Flex for a while but they only allow one per account, which is dumb (makes management annoying), and before that I had a juicebox that I gave to friends when they bought my Bolt. It subsequently failed and was replaced under warranty, so I'm avoiding Juicebox now (def anecdotal experience, but my two Emporias were super cheap and have been problem free).

[Holocene]

Most important - Don't go too cheap on this.  We're talking quite a bit of power here that could potentially compromise your house and/or your new expensive vehicle if something fails badly.  Make sure whatever you buy is at least UL listed and hopefully well-reviewed.

There's a channel on YouTube (State of Charge) that's mostly dedicated to reviewing home EV chargers that could be worth checking out.  Here's a video of his 2023 picks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56e8-nLqM0c

If you don't already have the standard NEMA 14-50 outlet installed, it might be worth hardwiring the charger.  This prevents an additional failure point at the outlet.  Otherwise, using a well-made industrial type outlet would be advised.

There are "smart" options that connect to WiFi and let you set charging schedules and monitor how much electricity you're using.  The car itself will likely allow you to set a schedule though, so I don't find it's particularly needed.  I also have a separate electric meter for my car that gets me a lower rate, so I also know exactly how much electricity my car is using.

I preferred a "dumb" unit to again eliminate things that could go wrong.  I went with Clipper Creek which was one of the earliest, reliable brands.  They sold the same units to residential customers that were used for commercial public charging.  I figured if it could handle the abuses of public charging, it should be pretty robust.  They aren't cheap, but I figured the quality was worth it to protect my car and house and something that will last.  They were acquired by Enphase in the last year, so I'm not sure if the quality has suffered at all.  They look identical just rebranded so I'd guess they still have the same guts, at least for now.  I don't drive a lot and have used free public charging when I can, so I haven't used mine a lot.  But I've had no problems with my home charger in the year that I've had it.

My dad has an Emporia charger that he's been happy with.  That was also one of the recommended chargers in the video and I've heard good things about it.

Enjoy your new EV.  They are awesome!

[PHAT]

Thanks for the tips, I'll take a look at some of these brands and see if they are on the approved list eligible for rebates.  We do get an additional rebate (extra $250 I think) if we go with a "smart" charger, but that eligible list is MUCH smaller.

I should clarify that we had the electrician install the wires when we built the garage a few years ago, but there isn't an outlet there currently (The wires are there, just covered with a plate, waiting for install of whatever we need when the time comes)

Followup question in case anyone happens to be in a similar situation.  Assuming our vehicle will have a CCS plug, do I want a CCS charger?  I get the feeling that things are moving towards NACS here, but we plan on keeping this car for a long time.  So another option would be to install a NACS charger and use an adaptor every single day for the next many years?  Will we regret having that extra adaptor all the time?  Given the cost of the charger is not outrageously high, I think I would prefer to just install the right one for this vehicle, and deal with changing it out in the future if we get another car someday, but open to thoughts on this from experienced users.

[SweatingInAR]

Assuming our vehicle will have a CCS plug, do I want a CCS charger?

Notice that the CCS connector is the J1772 connector with the addition of two extra pins on the bottom that handle Direct Current fast charging (Level 3). Your home doesn't have DC, so even if your EV has a CCS port, you only need the J1772 connector on the charge cord for Level 1 or Level 2 charging. The two DC pins on the bottom of the CCS aren't used unless you're doing level 3, DC fast charging.

You should install a plain J1772 charger. As Paper Chaser said, CCS is for DC (level 3) charging which is not necessary at home. Always buy the station for your current needs, it is not worth trying to predict your needs 5+ years in the future.

I have never had the opportunity to receive a rebate in any of my municipalities, so I have bought several preowned EVSE for myself, friends, and family. I built my first one from a kit, which really demystified what goes into a charging station. They are not much more than a Ground-Fault protected 240V outlet.

I typically spend $50-$100 USD on Facebook Marketplace or ebay on either a 16A or 32A EVSE. I would be shocked if your local/online used marketplace (kijiji?) didn't have a healthy supply of them. It helps to try a variety of search terms like: "EV charger", "EVSE", "J1772", "Leaf charger", "(other common EV) charger".

[JLee]

I had a ChargePoint - it was fine, but only supports a single charger via their app (fine if you have one, annoying if you have two). I also had a Juicebox which failed and had to be replaced under warranty (sold that one).  I have two Emporia chargers now and they've been problem free for about a year now.

[Holocene]

I wouldn't worry too much about getting a NACS home charger.  There are adapters that go both ways (J1772 to NACS and vice versa).  So if you get a car in the future that has NACS and your EVSE is still functioning well, just get an adapter if it's not already provided.  Not really worth worrying about right now.  J1772 and CCS will be around for a while during this transition period and adapters will be common.  If you ever charge in public, you'll likely want an adapter for public charging anyway.

So I'd probably prefer a native J1772 connector right now since you plan to have this car for a while.  But if you find a good deal on a nice home charger that has NACS right now, you'd also be fine using an adapter now.  I don't think it'd be too much hassle, and you could leave it connected to your EVSE to reduce the hassle factor even more (though then you'd lose out on having the adapter with you in the car for public charging use).  But I wouldn't do this just to try and "future-proof" your purchase for another EV many years down the road.  That's not worth it in my opinion.  It's easy enough to use an adapter or get a new EVSE when the time comes.  And things might change by then anyway.

[PHAT]

If you already have the 240V outlet, you just need the charging cord, or EVSE. These typically are included with purchase of an EV.

If the EV you buy doesn't have one, or the provided one won't work, they make tons of options with various plug connections and lengths that can be sourced easily online. Find one with the proper plugs on each end, and the right length, and you're good to go.



Notice that the CCS connector is the J1772 connector with the addition of two extra pins on the bottom that handle Direct Current fast charging (Level 3). Your home doesn't have DC, so even if your EV has a CCS port, you only need the J1772 connector on the charge cord for Level 1 or Level 2 charging. The two DC pins on the bottom of the CCS aren't used unless you're doing level 3, DC fast charging.

Thanks for the clarification of CCS vs J1772, I'm still learning the terminology!  Apparently the vehicle will come with a level 1 charger only.  We do have an RV plug in the carport as well, I think it's a 30 amp outlet, but I'd have to double check!  Regardless, from what I've read so far, its preferable to have a hard-wired charger anyway, so I think we will try to go that route

[PHAT]

You should install a plain J1772 charger. As Paper Chaser said, CCS is for DC (level 3) charging which is not necessary at home. Always buy the station for your current needs, it is not worth trying to predict your needs 5+ years in the future.

I have never had the opportunity to receive a rebate in any of my municipalities, so I have bought several preowned EVSE for myself, friends, and family. I built my first one from a kit, which really demystified what goes into a charging station. They are not much more than a Ground-Fault protected 240V outlet.

I typically spend $50-$100 USD on Facebook Marketplace or ebay on either a 16A or 32A EVSE. I would be shocked if your local/online used marketplace (kijiji?) didn't have a healthy supply of them. It helps to try a variety of search terms like: "EV charger", "EVSE", "J1772", "Leaf charger", "(other common EV) charger".
[/quote]

I live in a small town in Canada.  I did take a quick peek on my local marketplace, and there is nothing for several hundred kilometres.  Given that I don't yet have the EV, I don't think its worth it to drive 4-8 hours (each way) just to get a charger :) 

Our current rebate offer is for 50% of the purchase and install costs to a max of $350, plus an additional $250 if we get a smart one.  The catch is that it needs to be on the "approved" list.  The approved list is quite extensive, at least for the non-smart ones, so I think we should be able to find a new one that meets our needs!

[nereo]

Dude, you are way over complicating this. For all chargers, the box regulates the current (and has the WiFi sensor and monitors if it’s ‘smart’)… the actual cord is just a long exterior exterior rated extension cable with four 8 gauge wires inside. It’s commonly called the “whip” around here, or sometimes the “charging cable”

Critically, you can just replace the whip for a reasonable amount ($100-150 depending on manufacturer). It’s no different from replacing the plug on your electric stove. It’s done all the time because the actual plug is the part that most oven breaks as people  drop it on the ground and in puddles and back over it with their car.  And you can swap a J1772 for an NACS because they use the same four wires, just like every other 240v single phase cord.

Just look up “replacement whip/cable” for whatever

So buy the type that meets your car now. If, in a few years your replacement car doesn’t use J1772 but instead the NACS… you can convert the existing charger without replacing the charger itself and without changing the electrical to your circuit breaker.

[Paper Chaser]

Our current rebate offer is for 50% of the purchase and install costs to a max of $350, plus an additional $250 if we get a smart one.  The catch is that it needs to be on the "approved" list.  The approved list is quite extensive, at least for the non-smart ones, so I think we should be able to find a new one that meets our needs!

If you want maximum flexibility moving forward, you may not want an expensive, built in charger. Just do a NEMA 14-30 receptacle in your current box and buy the EVSE that fits your application(s). It's a fancy extension cord. Get one that has the right connector for your wall outlet on one end, and the right connector for your EV on the other end, in a proper length for your space/vehicle. If you need something different in a few years (NACS), then you can buy an adaptor, or a new EVSE. You'd just unplug the obsolete EVSE and plug in the new one.

Spending several hundred dollars, just to get a few hundred bucks back makes no sense to me when you can buy these things for under $200 online as Nereo pointed out.

[JLee]

Our current rebate offer is for 50% of the purchase and install costs to a max of $350, plus an additional $250 if we get a smart one.  The catch is that it needs to be on the "approved" list.  The approved list is quite extensive, at least for the non-smart ones, so I think we should be able to find a new one that meets our needs!

If you want maximum flexibility moving forward, you may not want an expensive, built in charger. Just do a NEMA 14-30 receptacle in your current box and buy the EVSE that fits your application(s). It's a fancy extension cord. Get one that has the right connector for your wall outlet on one end, and the right connector for your EV on the other end, in a proper length for your space/vehicle. If you need something different in a few years (NACS), then you can buy an adaptor, or a new EVSE. You'd just unplug the obsolete EVSE and plug in the new one.

Spending several hundred dollars, just to get a few hundred bucks back makes no sense to me when you can buy these things for under $200 online as Nereo pointed out.

I would think getting $250 back on a $400 charger is a net win vs buying a $150 charger.

[Paper Chaser]

Our current rebate offer is for 50% of the purchase and install costs to a max of $350, plus an additional $250 if we get a smart one.  The catch is that it needs to be on the "approved" list.  The approved list is quite extensive, at least for the non-smart ones, so I think we should be able to find a new one that meets our needs!

If you want maximum flexibility moving forward, you may not want an expensive, built in charger. Just do a NEMA 14-30 receptacle in your current box and buy the EVSE that fits your application(s). It's a fancy extension cord. Get one that has the right connector for your wall outlet on one end, and the right connector for your EV on the other end, in a proper length for your space/vehicle. If you need something different in a few years (NACS), then you can buy an adaptor, or a new EVSE. You'd just unplug the obsolete EVSE and plug in the new one.

Spending several hundred dollars, just to get a few hundred bucks back makes no sense to me when you can buy these things for under $200 online as Nereo pointed out.

I would think getting $250 back on a $400 charger is a net win vs buying a $150 charger.

If I'm understanding the quoted post correctly, the rebate is no more than 50% of the cost of the charger and any install. So $250 on a $400 EVSE probably wouldn't happen.

Also, why? The $150 EVSE would also be eligible for the rebate if it's on the list of approved devices. OP is clearly concerned about potential change in charging port design moving forward. Why spend more than the minimum until there's more clarity, or an agreed upon standard is reached?

[nereo]

Buy whatever charger you want now with the plug for your vehicle.

Later on you can change the plug but keep the charger. Is that more clear?

[JLee]

Our current rebate offer is for 50% of the purchase and install costs to a max of $350, plus an additional $250 if we get a smart one.  The catch is that it needs to be on the "approved" list.  The approved list is quite extensive, at least for the non-smart ones, so I think we should be able to find a new one that meets our needs!

If you want maximum flexibility moving forward, you may not want an expensive, built in charger. Just do a NEMA 14-30 receptacle in your current box and buy the EVSE that fits your application(s). It's a fancy extension cord. Get one that has the right connector for your wall outlet on one end, and the right connector for your EV on the other end, in a proper length for your space/vehicle. If you need something different in a few years (NACS), then you can buy an adaptor, or a new EVSE. You'd just unplug the obsolete EVSE and plug in the new one.

Spending several hundred dollars, just to get a few hundred bucks back makes no sense to me when you can buy these things for under $200 online as Nereo pointed out.

I would think getting $250 back on a $400 charger is a net win vs buying a $150 charger.

If I'm understanding the quoted post correctly, the rebate is no more than 50% of the cost of the charger and any install. So $250 on a $400 EVSE probably wouldn't happen.

Also, why? The $150 EVSE would also be eligible for the rebate if it's on the list of approved devices. OP is clearly concerned about potential change in charging port design moving forward. Why spend more than the minimum until there's more clarity, or an agreed upon standard is reached?

See below

Our current rebate offer is for 50% of the purchase and install costs to a max of $350, plus an additional $250 if we get a smart one.