Watts

Typical figures for this type, from the sources at the foot of this page. Watts vary by model and age. Check the label on your own appliance and enter it for an exact answer.

Running, typical
1,400 W
Running, low to high
1,400 W to 1,900 W
Starting
No start surge
Typical use a day
8 hthe calculator starts from this, and you can change it
Average draw while on
1,400 W
Voltage
120 V

The math

Worked with the typical figure, as the calculator does it.

  1. Output1,400 W running, so the station's continuous output must be at least 1,400 W.
  2. SurgeNo start surge: the running figure covers it.
  3. Average draw1,400 W: the running watts count for every hour it is on.
  4. A typical day1,400 W × 8 h = 11,200 Wh a day.
  5. 8 hours of running1,400 W × 8 h = 11,200 Wh usable, ÷ 0.85 = 13,176 Wh of rated capacity.
  6. 24 hours of running1,400 W × 24 h = 33,600 Wh usable, ÷ 0.85 = 39,529 Wh of rated capacity.
  7. On the BLUETTI Elite 100 V21,024 Wh × 0.85 = 870 Wh usable, ÷ 1,400 W = 37 min.

Stations that run it

Every power station in the data with this appliance alone plugged in, at 85% efficiency. Type the running watts from your own label and the table works it out again.

Add it to the runtime calculator with the rest of your list

What moves the number

Level 1 charging is a steady load for hours: up to about 1,400 W through a standard charging cord on a 120 V outlet, or 1,900 W where the cord and car allow it. How much the car takes depends on its built in charger and the current the cord is set to.

The Department of Energy counts Level 1 at about 5 miles of range per hour of charging, so a station adds a few miles for each hour it can run the cord.

Questions

How many watts does a Level 1 EV charging cord use?
About 1,400 W while running, from 1,400 W to 1,900 W across the models in our sources. Watts vary by model and age. Check the label on your own appliance and enter it for an exact answer.
Can a portable power station run a Level 1 EV charging cord?
Yes. 43 of the 54 power stations in the Enough Watts data set can power it on its own. It takes at least 1,400 W of continuous output.
How long will a power station run a Level 1 EV charging cord?
It depends on the battery. At 85% efficiency the smallest station that powers it, the BLUETTI Elite 100 V2 (1,024 Wh), gives about 37 min. The largest, the EcoFlow DELTA Pro Ultra X (12,288 Wh), gives about 7.5 h.
Does a Level 1 EV charging cord need extra watts to start?
No. It has no motor or compressor, so it draws about its running watts from the moment it is switched on. The check that matters is a continuous output of at least 1,400 W.

Sources

Researched from these pages, then checked against them a second time.

  1. Dual Level Charging Cord | Vehicle Support | Chevy maker support page, checked
  2. Alternative Fuels Data Center: Electric Vehicle Charging Stations government, checked

We read published figures and do the math; we do not measure appliances. The methodology states every formula on this page. Capacities are rated watt hours: 1,000 Wh rated gives 850 Wh usable at the default.