Recommended level 2 home chargers for a Pacifica Plug-in Hybrid?

Question

Hey everyone! We just brought home a new Chrysler Pacifica Plug-in Hybrid last week, and we are absolutely loving the electric driving mode for our daily school runs and grocery trips. However, we’ve quickly realized that charging on a standard 120V Level 1 outlet (the 'trickle charge') just isn't cutting it. It takes nearly 14 hours to get a full charge, which means if we go out in the evening, the van isn't ready to go back to school the next morning on full EV power.

I’m looking to pull the trigger on a Level 2 home charging station (EVSE) so we can take advantage of that ~2 hour charge time. My garage is already wired for a 40-amp circuit with a NEMA 14-50 outlet, so I’m ideally looking for a 'plug-in' style unit rather than something that needs to be hardwired.

I’ve been looking at the ChargePoint Home Flex and the Grizzl-E Classic, but I’m a bit torn. I’ve heard some chargers can be 'finicky' with the Pacifica’s onboard charging system, and I definitely want something reliable that won't trip the breaker or fail to start a session. Smart features like WiFi and app tracking would be cool to see how much energy we're actually using, but reliability is my top priority. Budget-wise, I’m hoping to stay under $600 if possible.

For those of you who have been driving the Pacifica Hybrid for a while, which Level 2 charger have you found to be the most reliable? Also, did you notice any significant difference in your utility bill or any issues with the charging port connector fitting properly? Looking forward to hearing your experiences before I make the purchase!

xyusjefvkk · Accepted Answer

Seconding the recommendation above about being careful... honestly, I had some issues with a cheaper unit getting way too hot, which was super scary. If you want reliability without breaking the bank, maybe check out the Emporia Level 2 EV Charger 48 Amp NEMA 14-50. It's usually around $400, has those WiFi tracking features you mentioned, and it's been rock solid for me where others were finicky.

gsjuvniknz · Answer

Hey!! Oh man, I totally feel u on that 120V trickle charge struggle... it's literally the worst when you just wanna go but the van's still thirsty lol. We got our Pacifica Hybrid a few months back and honestly, it's been AMAZING for the kiddos' soccer practice, but that 14-hour wait was killing me too!!

So basically, I was in ur exact same shoes looking at chargers. I ended up going with the Grizzl-E Classic NEMA 14-50 Plug-in EV Charger and seriously, it has been a total tank. I'm still kinda new to all this EV stuff so I wanted something super simple that wouldn't break on me, and this thing is basically bulletproof. It doesn't have the fancy WiFi stuff like the ChargePoint Home Flex Level 2 WiFi Enabled EV Charger, but tbh I've heard some people say the apps can be kinda finicky with the Pacifica's software anyway??

The Grizzl-E was way under $500 too which was a huge win for the budget! It plugs right into that 14-50 outlet you already have and charges our van in like 2 hours flat. No issues with the connector fitting either, it clicks right in every time. Our utility bill went up a tiny bit obviously cuz we're driving way more on electric now, but it's sooo much cheaper than gas. Definitely go with the Grizzl-E if you want something that just WORKS without the headache tho!! good luck!!!

ekmfxshifu · Answer

Yo!! Congrats on the new van, you're gonna love it! To add to the point above: honestly, staying away from those cheap no-name brands is the best advice you can get. Quick question tho—are you planning to mount this inside the garage or outside? Cable stiffness in the cold is a real thing if you're in a snowy climate! I've messed with a few over the years and here is my take:

Wallbox Pulsar Plus 40A NEMA 14-50 : Seriously love how small this is. It has 'power sharing' if you ever get a second EV later, and the Bluetooth backup is a lifesaver when the garage WiFi acts up. Super reliable with the Pacifica's internal timers.

Autel MaxiCharger Home Electric Vehicle Charger 40A : This thing is a beast!! The app is probably the best one out there for seeing your actual usage stats and cost, plus the build quality feels super premium for the price. Either of those should keep you way under that $600 limit if you catch a sale. Just make sure the plug is seated tight in that 14-50 outlet so nothing gets warm... those vans draw a lot of juice for a few hours!