What size generator to run an ev charger (level 2)?
EV charger (Level 2) sizing at a glance: it draws 7700 running watts.
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Running watts | 7700W |
| Starting (surge) watts | 7700W |
| Recommended class (this load + margin) | 9500W |
Why the startup surge matters
A ev charger (level 2) is a resistive load, so it has no meaningful startup surge. If you size a generator only for the running watts, it can stall the instant the ev charger (level 2) switches on. Always size for the surge.
Sizing the whole system
The number above covers the ev charger (level 2) on its own with a safety margin. In a real outage you'll run other things too — and the right method is your total running load plus the single largest surge among everything, not the sum of every surge. Use the full calculator to size your actual setup:
Common questions
How many watts does an ev charger (level 2) use?
A typical ev charger (level 2) draws about 7700 watts, with no significant startup surge.
What size generator runs an ev charger (level 2)?
For the ev charger (level 2) alone plus a safety margin, a 9500W (≈9.5kW) class generator is appropriate. Add your other essential loads to size the full system.