Yes — a regular 120V outlet can charge an EV at “Level 1” speed, but it’s extremely slow: about 3 to 5 miles of range per hour. That works for plug-in hybrids and very low daily mileage, but for most full-battery EVs you’ll want Level 2 charging at 240V, which delivers 20 to 40 miles per hour.

Level 1 vs Level 2

  • Level 1 (120V outlet) — 3–5 miles per hour, fine for PHEVs
  • Level 2 (240V circuit) — 20–40 miles per hour, fine for most EVs
  • Level 3 (DC fast) — Commercial only, not residential

Most homeowners upgrade to Level 2 after a week or two of EV ownership. See our EV charging service.