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Charging arrangements are often considered after a vehicle purchase, and the charging level that suits a property depends on how the vehicle is used. Daily driving distance and the number of hours the vehicle sits parked at home are the two factors that indicate whether a standard receptacle is adequate.
A household driving a short distance each day and parking overnight has different requirements from a household running two vehicles across the GTA. Canadian Wire Wizards is a licensed electrical contracting company serving the GTA, established in 2018, owned and operated by Demetrois Alafogiannis, with more than 35 years of combined industry experience. We install EV charging equipment for residential and commercial properties, and the comparison below sets out how the two charging levels differ in electrical scope and daily performance.
Can I charge an EV from a regular wall outlet?
Yes. Electric vehicles are generally supplied with a Level 1 cordset for a standard 120V receptacle, and the charging rate at this level is low.
How long does a Level 2 charger take?
Charging times in the range of 6 to 10 hours are common, depending on the vehicle, the state of charge, and the equipment installed.
Do I need an electrician for Level 2?
A 240V circuit is electrical work for a licensed electrical contractor, and permit and ESA inspection requirements apply according to the scope of the installation.
Is Level 2 worth it for a plug-in hybrid?
Smaller batteries can often be replenished overnight at Level 1, so the benefit depends on the vehicle and the driving pattern.
Level 1 charging uses the cordset supplied with the vehicle. It connects to a grounded 120V household receptacle, and where a suitable receptacle is already in place, additional mark electric car charging station installation work may not be needed.
Draws approximately 12 amps and delivers in the range of 1.4 kW, subject to the equipment and the supply voltage at the receptacle
Adds roughly 6 to 8 km of range per hour, or in the range of 60 to 90 km over a full night, varying with the vehicle, temperature, and state of charge
Uses an existing branch circuit, so the electrical scope is limited where a suitable grounded receptacle is already present
Suits plug-in hybrids, shorter daily commutes, and secondary vehicles
Cold weather affects these results. Available range decreases at low temperatures and cabin heating draws from the same battery, so a Level 1 supply that keeps pace in mild conditions may fall behind through an Ontario winter. The size of that gap depends on the vehicle, the daily distance, and the conditions at the property.
A Level 2 EV charger operates at 240V, using a circuit comparable to the one serving an electric range or a clothes dryer.
Commonly rated between approximately 32 and 48 amps, delivering in the range of 7.2 to 11.5 kW, subject to the equipment and the manufacturer specifications
Adds approximately 30 to 50 km of range per hour, varying with the vehicle, the temperature, and the circuit capacity
Replenishes most electric vehicles over a single night, depending on battery size and the starting state of charge
Supports features such as scheduled charging, off peak timing, and load management, where the selected equipment provides them
Scheduling is a practical consideration. Ontario electricity pricing varies by period, and equipment with scheduling capability can be configured to charge during off peak hours.
Charger selection follows from typical daily distance rather than occasional longer trips.
Under approximately 50 km a day: a Level 1 supply can keep pace where the vehicle is parked at home overnight
Approximately 50 to 120 km a day: a Level 2 circuit provides more consistent daily replenishment
Two electric vehicles in one household: a Level 2 circuit is generally the practical option, subject to the available service capacity
Shift work or irregular hours: a Level 2 circuit suits situations where a long idle period at home cannot be relied on
The electrical scope differs considerably between the two levels. Level 1 charging shares an existing 15 amp branch circuit, and other significant loads on that circuit reduce the capacity available for charging. Manufacturer instructions for Level 1 cordsets generally advise against the use of extension cords. Level 2 charging uses a dedicated 240V circuit sized in accordance with the Canadian Electrical Code and the manufacturer specifications. Continuous loads are sized with an allowance above the rated current, so a charger rated at approximately 32 amps is commonly served by a 40 amp breaker. We size the circuit to the equipment selected and the applicable requirements.
Panel capacity is often the limiting factor in a Level 2 installation
Where an existing service is rated at approximately 100 amps, a load calculation establishes what the service can carry, and an upgrade may be indicated depending on the existing loads, the equipment selected, and the scope of the new work
Load management devices are one approach to adding a charger within an existing service capacity, subject to the existing configuration and the applicable requirements
Further detail on preparing an existing electrical system appears in How Toronto Homeowners Prepare Their Electrical Systems for EV Charger Installation and How Your Electrical System Supports Safe Home EV Charging.
Several site conditions affect the scope of a Level 2 installation, and we review each of them during the site assessment.
The cable run between the panel and the parking area affects the materials and labour involved
Outdoor and unheated locations call for an EV charging station enclosure rated for the conditions
Mounting height and cord length determine which parking positions the equipment can reach
Permit and ESA inspection requirements apply according to the scope of the electrical work and the governing ESA requirements
Finished walls, concrete, and detached garages add conduit and labour to the installation
10 Things to Check Before Installing an EV Charger at Your Property covers the site review that precedes an installation, and Electric Car Charger Installation for Homes and Businesses in Toronto and the GTA sets out the installation process in full.
Charging equipment and the circuit serving it commonly remain in service longer than the vehicle. Properties change hands, additional electric vehicles are added, and panel capacity is taken up by other equipment such as heat pumps.
Circuit sizing can account for a future vehicle as well as the current one, subject to the available service capacity
Spare panel positions allow for a second charger where capacity permits
A permitted and inspected installation provides documentation of the electrical work for the property records
Planning Your Home for Long Term EV Ownership Beyond the Charger Installation covers longer term planning for a property.
| Factor | Level 1 | Level 2 |
| Voltage | 120V standard receptacle | 240V dedicated circuit |
| Power output, approximate | About 1.4 kW | About 7.2 to 11.5 kW |
| Range added per hour, approximate | About 6 to 8 km | About 30 to 50 km |
| Overnight replenishment | Limited | Sufficient for most vehicles |
| Installation | Existing receptacle, where suitable | Licensed electrician, with permit and ESA inspection according to scope |
| Panel impact | Shares an existing circuit | Dedicated breaker, service capacity assessed |
| Suited to | Plug-in hybrids and shorter commutes | Daily drivers and households with more than one electric vehicle |
Figures in this table are approximate and vary with the vehicle, the equipment, the temperature, and the existing electrical configuration.
Level 1 charging uses equipment supplied with the vehicle and delivers a low charging rate. Level 2 charging involves a one time installation and delivers a higher rate. For a plug-in hybrid driven a short distance each day, the supplied cordset is often adequate. For longer commutes, households with more than one electric vehicle, and irregular schedules, a Level 2 installation is generally the more practical option. We begin with a load calculation on the existing panel, since the available service capacity determines what can be installed.
Yes, either by charging on alternate nights or with equipment that supports load sharing between vehicles.
It adds a load to the electrical service, and scheduling the charging for off peak hours shifts that consumption to a lower priced period.
Yes. Outdoor installations use equipment and an enclosure rated for exterior conditions, mounted according to the manufacturer instructions.
Many residential installations are completed in a single visit, and permit and inspection scheduling can extend the overall timeline.
