The cord that comes with the car charges at Level 1 — about 1 kW, adding roughly 2–5 miles of range per hour. The EV-ACS4005T charges at Level 2, up to 9.6 kW. For the same top-up, the difference is not minutes but a day: adding 30 kWh takes the cord about 30 hours, and this charger about 3 hours at its full setting, or about 8 hours at its lowest.
Key Takeaways
- The Level 1 cord adds about 1 kW; this charger adds up to 9.6 kW — a 30 kWh top-up takes about 30 hours versus about 3.
- The saving shows up overnight and in recovery from a near-empty battery, not in the energy bill.
- Even the lowest setting, 16 A, is several times faster than the cord.
- Pick the setting your circuit supports; the car, not the charger, sets the final speed.
The Two Speeds, Side by Side
The figures below use one labelled example — adding 30 kWh, roughly a day’s driving for many commuters — divided by each charger’s power. Real sessions run somewhat longer: charging slows near full, and some energy is lost in conversion. The full three-way picture, including DC fast charging, is in our Level 1 vs Level 2 vs DC fast charging comparison.
| Charger | Power | Time to add 30 kWh (example) |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 cord (the one in the trunk) | About 1 kW | About 30 hours |
| EV-ACS4005T at 16 A | About 3.8 kW | About 8 hours |
| EV-ACS4005T at 24 A | About 5.8 kW | About 5 hours |
| EV-ACS4005T at 32 A | About 7.7 kW | About 4 hours |
| EV-ACS4005T at 40 A | 9.6 kW | About 3 hours |
Where the Saved Hours Actually Show Up
The saving matters in one specific place: the overnight window. A car parked for nine or ten hours on the Level 1 cord gains perhaps 9–10 kWh — enough for a short commute, not a long one. The same night on this charger restores a full day’s driving even at 24 A; at 40 A the session ends long before morning. The cord asks you to plan around charging; the Level 2 charger fits inside the hours the car was parked anyway. Our guide to leaving an EV charging overnight covers the routine in full.
The second place is recovery. Arrive home nearly empty on a Sunday evening and the cord needs until Tuesday to refill the car. At 40 A, the same refill is an evening’s work.
When the Cord Is Still Enough
- Short daily miles. If the car uses 6–8 kWh a day, the cord replaces that overnight with hours to spare.
- A second car that rarely travels far. Slow is fine when the car is not needed at dawn.
- No suitable 240 V outlet yet. The cord works anywhere — but treat it as the bridge while the outlet question is settled, not the long-term plan for a high-mileage car.
Choosing a Setting Is Choosing a Speed
The setting is not a free choice: it must match the circuit the charger plugs into. Charging is a continuous load, so the breaker is sized at 125% of the current — a 40 A setting belongs on a 50 A circuit, 32 A on a 40 A circuit, and so on down the ladder. On a smaller circuit, choose the lower setting: still several times faster than the cord, and safe for the wiring. If you do not know the circuit, a licensed electrician can confirm it.
The Charger in This Comparison
The EVDANCE EV-ACS4005T is a 40 A NACS portable charger with a NEMA 14-50 plug, four current settings (16/24/32/40 A), a 1.77-inch session display, IP66 rating and a 25 or 28 ft cable. The speed comes from the 240 V outlet it plugs into, as our explainer on how portable charger speed depends on the outlet sets out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the faster charger use more electricity for the same charge?
No — the energy the car needs is the same. Level 2 is in fact slightly more efficient on average: ENERGY STAR puts Level 2 at about 10% more efficient than Level 1, so a little less of what you pay for is lost on the way in.
My car only accepts 7.7 kW. Do I still save time?
Yes. The car caps the session at what it accepts, so you would charge at the 32 A row of the table — about 4 hours for the example top-up instead of 30 on the cord.
Can I keep the Level 1 cord as a backup?
Yes, and most owners do. Keep it in the car for travel and emergencies. It is the home routine it cannot keep up with, not the occasional top-up.
Related Reading
- Level 1 vs Level 2 vs DC Fast Charging: A Practical Comparison
- Can You Leave an EV Charging Overnight?
- Do Portable EV Chargers Work? How Speed Depends on the Outlet
- How Much Does It Cost to Charge an Electric Car at Home?
