I think “might be overkill” would be a better title and position than “usually overkill.”

There is absolutely a subset of EV drivers that could get by with a level 1 charger (ignoring time of day rates), but most people would fall behind anytime they drive further than the average number of miles. Sure, taking 10 hours to recharge your Chevy Bolt overnight when you’ve driven 40 miles is doable; 64 hours when you’ve returned home from a longer trip isn’t.

I own a PHEV, and installing a level 2 charge has been one of the best quality of life and financial changes.

I think “might be overkill” would be a better title and position than “usually overkill.”

It factually is not.

most people would fall behind anytime they drive further than the average number of miles.

Assume you drive it all the way to empty, then park it and plug it back in at 7PM. Leave it for 12 hours until you leave again in the morning at 7AM. A typical small EV will charge at ~5MPH on a 110V, 1.2kW connection (faster on a 20A circuit). So 5MPH x 12 hours means you already have 60 miles of range again for the next day. And I would say that’s a pretty extreme scenario.

Realistically you would never drive it to 0% and you would probably leave it parked longer than 12 hours.

I use L1 almost exclusively, BTW.

Probably if you have a Hummer or something you might want something a bit faster.