Why Level 1 EV Wall Charging Is More Useful Than You Think

7 min read

While taking my Rivian R1T on a road trip, I found that a simple wall outlet can sometimes be a convenient charging option.

The results vary depending on the car—it's not very encouraging.

Most electric vehicle owners charge at home using Level 2 chargers, which can fully charge the vehicle in a matter of hours, rather than days. Others rely on public DC fast charging stations, which can charge the vehicle in mere minutes, for regular use or on long trips. However, all electric vehicles can also be charged using a standard 120-volt household outlet. But what is the purpose of this option, really?

My experience has shown me that Level 1 charging, which is the slowest form of electric vehicle charging, can be a very useful option—if it is used properly.

To be honest, wall charging was a lifesaver on this trip. I'll tell you why.

Rivian lent me an R1T for a road trip over the 2024 winter holidays.

Over the holiday season, I drove approximately 640 kilometers from San Antonio to the isolated town of Marfa, Texas, located near the Mexican border. As you might expect, the area has limited electric vehicle charging options. One hotel near the house where I was staying had a Level 2 charger, but it was reserved for guests, and I wasn't a guest. I could have probably negotiated to use it a few times, but I didn't want to take advantage of the situation.

Photo by: Patrick George

No, I don't usually park like that. But there was no one else around.

In short, as soon as I left the parking lot, the direction of all the things I enjoy doing in Marfa became clear to me.

Fortunately, Rivian also provided a portable wall charger. I chose to place the R1T on it when it was parked in the driveway. To my surprise, it turned out to be exactly what I required.

* May not be as efficient for frequent drivers

A standard 120-volt wall outlet usually supplies 1 to 2 kilowatts (kW) of electricity, which is equivalent to approximately three to five miles of range per hour.

It makes sense that around 2 kilowatts of electricity would be used to charge a battery for each kilowatt-hour of its capacity, assuming ideal conditions.

My own home's ChargePoint Level 2 charger has a much higher output of 7.2 kW. This allows it to charge my Kia EV6's 77.4 kWh battery from empty to full in approximately 10 hours, though my actual charging time is typically around five to six hours. I've never charged the car completely to 0% and don't plan to do so in the future.

Photo by: Patrick George

2025 Rivian R1T Review

If you're new to electric vehicles, you may think Level 1 wall charging is too slow. However, consider this: What is your car doing most of the time? It's simply sitting in one place.

As long as it's near a power source, it can continue to charge its battery.

Photo by: Patrick George

2025 Rivian R1T Review

This was extremely helpful to me. On my trip, I wasn't driving all the time. I was walking around town, seeing the sights, eating and drinking with family and friends, or taking photos. Like any vehicle, the R1T just sat there for a good part of the day. I thought I might as well keep it charging while it was stationary.

It proved to be a worthwhile investment. By plugging it into the wall outlet, I was gaining an extra 30 to 40 miles of range each day, with a significant portion of that being done during the evening and overnight hours while I was sleeping. I never let the Rivian's charge drop to zero, so I didn't have to start from a completely empty battery. And having some charge from the Tesla Supercharger in the system meant I always had plenty of power to cover most of my daily needs and tasks.

I've found that EV charging is typically less of an "empty, fill up" situation like it is for gas-powered cars. It's more about getting the exact range you need for your daily driving needs. I didn't need the R1T to be "full" every day; I needed enough range to comfortably cover my daily commute. Using a wall outlet provided a great daily buffer until I had to stop at a Tesla Supercharger station. With EVs, you start thinking more strategically about your energy usage. This approach isn't necessarily a bad thing.

He resides in an apartment and frequently employs slower charging.

Use a regular wall outlet, especially when you don't need something as fast or as expensive as a Level 2 home charger.

Level 1 portable charger

For me, at least, I do enough driving at home that a Level 2 charger is a must-have. I believe that relying solely on Level 1 charging wouldn't meet my needs. However, I now view Level 2 charging as another valuable tool—a highly effective and convenient one—at my disposal. This is particularly true on road trips and vacations. If you're traveling to a new location and aren't guaranteed to find numerous fast charging options along the way, I would highly recommend bringing a portable wall charger. Even if it's not the fastest option, it's still better than nothing and may save you from a difficult situation.

Some manufacturers caution against using an extension cord for this purpose. Extension cords can be problematic for long-duration, high-draw applications. Although industrial-grade, low-gauge extension cords may be suitable, it's best to follow the guidelines specified in your owner's manual. If you have further concerns, consider consulting an electrician to determine the best approach for longer cords. Do not assume any extension cord will suffice. Level 1 charging can be helpful for keeping you mobile, but damaging a charger or causing a fire can create a more significant issue.

As long as it can be done safely, do not rule out Level 1 wall charging, especially on your next electric vehicle road trip. Always keep in mind: if it's parked, it might be possible to plug it in somewhere.