Level 1 vs. Level 2

Level 1 charging is plugging your car into an ordinary household outlet usually rated 120 volts and either 15 or 20 amps. For a Leaf, this means about 7 kilometers of range per hour of charging, or about 22 hours for a full charge.  If you drive 60 kilometers per day and charge overnight, you’ll be back to full in 9 hours. When you’re sleeping, it doesn’t matter if it takes one hour or 9 hours to charge.
But what if you have to drive a lot one day, say 120km? Sure, it would take 18 hours to get a full charge, but with a 9-hour overnight charge, you’ll be ready for your normal commute the next day. If you drive less than 60kms per day or charge for more than 9 hours, you’ll work back up to a full charge over the next few days.
If you need to drive 120kms on consecutive days, you’ll need an alternative. Maybe you’ll drive your other car, that gas-burner you keep around for long trips, or if there’s public EV charging in your area, you can charge away from home while you’re parked to do your shopping or other errands.
Level 1 charging at work could also be a supplement for people driving over 60mks per day, or even a substitute for those who can’t charge at home (because they don’t have a garage or fixed parking place, for example).
Beyond range issues, Level 1 may not be suitable for primary charging in all cases. In extreme climates, more power may be required to maintain proper battery temperatures. In these cases, Level 2 charging may be more appropriate.

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