Level 1 vs Level 2 at a Glance

Before diving into the details, here's a side-by-side comparison of the two options across the factors that matter most to Santa Clarita homeowners:

What Is a Level 1 EV Charger?

A Level 1 charger uses a standard 120-volt household outlet — the same type used for lamps, phone chargers, and small appliances. It's the simplest charging option available, requiring no additional electrical installation in most cases. You plug the charger into the outlet, connect it to the vehicle, and charging begins.

Charging Speed

Level 1 charging adds approximately 3 to 5 miles of range per hour. For a vehicle with a 250-mile battery range that is fully depleted, a complete charge from empty could take 50 hours or more. For drivers who cover 30 to 40 miles per day and can leave the vehicle plugged in every night, Level 1 may just barely keep pace with daily driving needs — but there's little margin for days when the vehicle comes home with a lower charge than usual.

When Level 1 Makes Sense

Level 1 charging is practical for Santa Clarita homeowners who drive short distances daily and can charge overnight consistently without exception. It also works as a backup option when a Level 2 charger isn't yet installed, or for plug-in hybrid vehicles with smaller battery packs that don't require as much charge time. For most homeowners with a primary EV and regular driving needs, Level 1 is a temporary solution rather than a permanent one.

What Is a Level 2 EV Charger?

A Level 2 charger operates on a 240-volt dedicated circuit — the same voltage used by electric dryers and ovens — and delivers significantly more power than a standard outlet. It requires professional installation, a dedicated circuit, and in most cases a permit and inspection. Per NEC Article 625, EV charging equipment must be installed on a dedicated circuit and meet specific safety requirements. This is the charger type installed in the overwhelming majority of Santa Clarita homes where daily EV use is the norm.

Charging Speed

Level 2 charging adds approximately 20 to 40 miles of range per hour depending on the charger's output and the vehicle's onboard charger capacity. Most vehicles reach a full charge overnight — typically in 4 to 12 hours — which means the car is ready every morning regardless of how depleted it was the night before. This is what makes Level 2 the practical standard for daily EV ownership rather than an upgrade.

Electrical Requirements

Level 2 chargers are classified as continuous loads under the NEC — equipment that draws full current for extended periods during every use. Per NEC Article 210, continuous loads must be calculated at 125 percent of their rated current when sizing the circuit and breaker. Common circuit configurations are 40-amp, 50-amp, and 60-amp dedicated circuits, depending on the charger's rated output. Your electrical panel must be evaluated before installation to confirm it has sufficient remaining capacity to support the new circuit without requiring an upgrade.

Installation Differences

Level 1 Installation

Level 1 requires no dedicated electrical work in most cases — it uses an existing 120-volt outlet in the garage or wherever the vehicle is parked. If the outlet doesn't exist where it's needed, having one added is straightforward and relatively inexpensive. No permit is required in most cases for simply using an existing outlet, and no panel evaluation is needed unless an outlet is being added to a circuit that may be at capacity.

Level 2 Installation

Level 2 installation involves running a new 240-volt dedicated circuit from the electrical panel to the charger location, installing an appropriately sized breaker, mounting the charger unit, and verifying all connections and grounding. In Los Angeles County — including Santa Clarita — this work requires a permit and a post-installation inspection. For Santa Clarita-area installations, permits are typically processed through the LA County EPIC-LA system.

If the existing panel doesn't have sufficient capacity, a panel upgrade is required before the Level 2 circuit can be added — adding cost and time to the project that a pre-installation evaluation would have identified in advance.

SCE and Utility Considerations

For some Level 2 installations in Santa Clarita, Southern California Edison may need to be involved — particularly when the existing service capacity isn't sufficient to support the added load even after a panel upgrade. SCE involvement adds a step to the project timeline and should be factored into planning when a service upgrade is identified as a possibility during the initial evaluation.

Not every installation requires SCE coordination. Many Santa Clarita homes have sufficient existing service to support a Level 2 charger circuit without utility involvement. The load calculation performed as part of the pre-installation evaluation identifies whether this step will be needed.

Professional EV Charger Installation in Santa Clarita

Choosing between Level 1 and Level 2 is the first step — proper installation is what makes the system work reliably for years to come. For Santa Clarita homeowners who have made the decision to install a Level 2 charger, working with a licensed electrician who handles the full process from evaluation through inspection is the straightforward path to a completed, compliant installation.

Bolt Blitz Electric provides EV charger installation services throughout Santa Clarita, Lancaster, Palmdale, Rosamond, Tehachapi, and surrounding Los Angeles County communities.

Our services include EV charger installation, electrical panel evaluation, load calculations, dedicated circuit installation, permit processing, inspection coordination, SCE coordination, and code compliance corrections.

All work is performed in accordance with NEC Article 625 for EV charging systems, NEC Article 210 for branch circuits and continuous load sizing, NEC Article 220 for load calculations, NEC Article 240 for overcurrent protection, NEC Article 250 for grounding and bonding, and the California Electrical Code and Title 24 requirements.