You can use Level 1, but it’s really slow. I used L1 for 6 months with my Mach-E and had free L2 charging at work. After a year, my mobile charger started overheating. When I added the Lightning and had to charge both cars, I needed something more reliable.
I’d recommend a GrizzlE or Emporia charger. I’m planning to get a Tesla Universal charger that supports J1772 and NACS and can charge two cars from the same circuit.
@Ridge
Thanks! I’ll look into those.
With Level 1, you’ll get about 2 miles of range per hour. So, overnight you could get 30+ miles. I only drive 25 miles a day, so it’s been fine for me. I do have a Level 2 charger just in case I need a full charge overnight. Any J1772 charger should work for you.
@Val
That’s helpful. My daily driving is pretty similar, so it should work. Thanks!
Appreciate all the advice here. I’ve got a lot of good options now. Thanks!
I recommend OpenEVSE chargers. I’ve had two of them for over 8 years. If something breaks, parts are easy to replace. You can set the max output, so it works for Level 1 and Level 2 charging.
Just saw a review on Wirecutter that covered a lot of chargers and adapters. Might be worth checking out: https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/best-electric-vehicle-chargers-for-home/
I’m using a ChargePoint Home Flex, hardwired with a 60A breaker, so I’m charging at 48A/240V. It’s been working great since June, and I like that I can check my usage through the app.
As for mobile options, I’d recommend looking for something cheaper than the Ford mobile charger. I’ve seen refurbished Lectrons on eBay for around $100, which should be fine for occasional use.
I’ve been using a 120V Lectron charger at home for the last 15 months with no issues. I drive about 33 miles a day, even in cold weather. The truck does use a bit more battery in the winter, but I make up for it on the weekends.
Here’s the one I use: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CD1RM1NH/
It’s cheap but works. I did have to unplug it and plug it back in once, but that’s not unusual for chargers. It seems to throttle back in direct sunlight, so keep it in the shade if you can.
The Ford mobile charger isn’t great. I wish I’d gone with the Tesla one, which is cheaper and offers more plug options.
We’ve been using the one that came with our ID.4, and it works fine. I’d recommend checking some reviews online.