A Level 1 EV charger on a 120 V outlet draws about 1,400 watts (roughly 1-1.9 kW). A home Level 2 charger on 240 V typically draws 7,000-11,500 watts, about 7.2 kW for a common 32-amp unit.
- Running watts
- 7,200 WTypical; 1,400–11,500 W across models
- Starting watts
- NoneNo motor surge
- Per day
- 10.8 kWh1.5 h of use
- Current
- 30 AAt 240 V while running
Figures checked against DOE, ENERGY STAR and manufacturer data on . Your model's label is the final word.
Watts by model and setting
Most ev charger models draw between 1,400 and 11,500 W while running; a typical one draws about 7,200 W. Assumes a Level 2 charger at about 7.2 kW running 1.5 hours a day to replace a typical day's driving (about 15-30 miles of range at DOT's 10-20 miles per hour of Level 2 charging). Actual use depends entirely on miles driven and vehicle efficiency.
- Charging level: Level 1 (120 V) is about 1-1.9 kW; Level 2 (208-240 V) is 7-19 kW, with 7-11.5 kW typical at home
- Circuit and charger amperage: a 32 A charger draws about 7.7 kW, a 48 A charger about 11.5 kW
- The car's onboard charger limit caps how much power it accepts
- Battery state of charge and temperature: charging slows near full and in cold weather
Running an EV charger on backup power
This is a 240 V appliance. It needs a generator with a 240 V outlet or a transfer switch or interlock installed by a licensed electrician; most portable power stations only supply 120 V.
- A portable power station can't meaningfully charge an EV: Level 1 adds only about 2-5 miles of range per hour at roughly 1-1.4 kW, so a 2 kWh station empties in under 2 hours for perhaps 5-10 miles of range, a tiny fraction of a 60+ kWh battery
- Many Level 1 cords are set to 12 A (about 1,440 W continuous), which exceeds the output of smaller power stations; most cars also let you lower the charge rate
- A home backup generator can add emergency range but uses a lot of fuel per mile; in an outage, charging the car is usually a low priority
- Never connect a generator to a hardwired Level 2 charger except through an electrician-installed transfer switch; never backfeed. Run a gas generator outdoors only, at least 20 feet from doors, windows and vents.
Add it to the generator calculator
Questions people ask
Can a portable power station charge an electric car?
Only trivially. Level 1 charging adds about 2-5 miles of range per hour, so even a large 2-3 kWh power station gives roughly 5-15 miles before it is empty, and many power stations cannot supply the 1,400+ W a Level 1 cord draws.
How many watts does a Level 2 charger use?
Home Level 2 chargers typically draw about 7-11.5 kW at 240 V depending on amperage (32 A is about 7.7 kW, 48 A about 11.5 kW). That adds roughly 10-20 miles of range per hour.
Can I charge my EV with a generator?
A large generator can run a Level 1 cord for emergency range, but it is slow and fuel-hungry. Level 2 charging from a portable generator requires a 240 V generator rated well above the charger's draw.