Picking a home EV charger isn’t complicated once you know what actually matters. Here’s how to make the right choice for your situation in the Pacific Northwest.
Start With Your Driving
How many miles do you drive daily? The average is around 35-40. If that’s you, Level 1 charging (the cord that came with your car, plugged into a regular outlet) might actually work. It adds about 4 miles of range per hour – so 40+ miles overnight.
Drive more than 50 miles daily, have a larger battery pack, or want faster turnaround? You need Level 2. It adds 25-30 miles of range per hour, so even a depleted 300-mile battery fills up overnight.
Check Your Panel First
Before buying anything, look at your electrical panel. A Level 2 charger needs a dedicated 40-50 amp circuit. If your panel already has empty slots and enough total capacity (usually 200 amps for newer homes), installation is straightforward.
If your panel is full or undersized (100-amp panels are common in older Seattle-area homes), you’re looking at an upgrade before adding a charger. That changes the economics significantly.
Features That Matter
Amperage: 32-amp chargers are adequate for most people. 40-48 amp chargers are faster but require beefier wiring. The difference is maybe 5 extra miles of range per hour – matters for some situations, not others.
Cable length: Standard is 18-25 feet. Measure your actual parking situation. If your outlet ends up on the wrong wall, a longer cable saves headaches.
Smart features: Scheduling lets you charge during off-peak hours automatically. Energy monitoring shows actual costs. Some people love this data; others never use it. Don’t pay $200 extra for features you’ll ignore.
Weather resistance: For garage installation, any charger works. For outdoor installation in the Northwest, get NEMA 4 or 4X rated units that handle rain and humidity.
Practical Recommendations
Budget option: Grizzl-E Classic (~$400). No smart features, just reliable charging. Built tough, works in any weather.
Best value with smart features: ChargePoint Home Flex (~$600). Adjustable amperage, good app, widely supported.
Tesla owners: Tesla Wall Connector (~$450) makes sense for the faster charging speeds. Works with non-Tesla vehicles too, with an adapter.
