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Which level 2 home charger is best for Pacifica Plug-in Hybrid?

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Hey everyone! I recently picked up a Chrysler Pacifica Plug-in Hybrid, and while the included Level 1 cord works okay for overnight charging, I’m finding that it’s just too slow for my daily routine. Between school drop-offs and errands, I’d love to be able to top off the battery much faster during the day so I can stay in electric mode longer.

I’ve been looking at a few Level 2 options like the ChargePoint Home Flex and the JuiceBox, but I’m a bit overwhelmed by the choices. My garage is already wired for a NEMA 14-50 outlet, so I’m ideally looking for a plug-in unit rather than something hardwired. I’m curious if anyone has experienced issues with specific brands or if there’s a 'sweet spot' for amperage since the Pacifica has a 6.6 kW onboard charger. My budget is around $500 to $700, and I’d prefer something with a solid app for tracking energy costs.

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 and easy to use? Any specific models I should avoid?


5 Answers
12

Seconding the recommendation above! Honestly, after five years with my Pacifica, the ChargePoint really is the gold standard for reliability. But I wanted to add a technical tip since you're looking for that 'sweet spot'—even though your van's onboard charger maxes out at 6.6 kW (roughly 27.5 amps), you might wanna consider the ChargePoint Home Flex Level 2 WiFi Enabled EV Charger or the Emporia Level 2 EV Charger 48 Amp NEMA 14-50.

I suggest going with a 40 or 48 amp capable unit because it future-proofs you for your next EV, and the Emporia EV Charger has basically the best app I've used for tracking energy costs down to the penny. Just make sure your 14-50 outlet is high quality (look for Hubbell or Bryant) cuz the cheap ones can melt under constant load... trust me, I learned that the hard way! lol. Anyway, both are solid picks within your budget. gl!


11

Story time: I actually went through this exact same dilemma last year when I got my van!! Safety was my number one concern cuz my NEMA 14-50 outlet is right near some storage shelves, so I was super picky about build quality. I ended up trying the Grizzl-E Classic NEMA 14-50 Plug-in EV Charger first. It's basically a tank... literally just a heavy metal box that feels indestructible and super safe, tho it doesn't have the fancy app features you mentioned.

I eventually swapped it for the Enel X Way JuiceBox 32 Smart EV Charging Station cuz I wanted the energy tracking, but honestly, I kinda missed the ruggedness of the first one. Both handled the Pacifica's 6.6 kW draw perfectly without even getting warm. Just make sure whatever you pick is UL listed, cuz some of those cheap Amazon ones get really hot and that scares me lol. GL with the setup!!


4

Honestly, just get any plug-in unit from ChargePoint, you basically can't go wrong there. Since the Pacifica's 6.6 kW charger only pulls about 32 amps, most of their stuff handles that no problem right?


4

Ok so, I saw this earlier and I definitely gotta chime in because I'm a total EV nerd and I've been through like three different chargers myself. Before I give advice, quick question - are you planning on staying with the Pacifica for a long time, or do you think you might upgrade to a full battery electric vehicle (BEV) in the next couple of years?

I'm asking because while your van only pulls 6.6 kW, if you're gonna get something like a Lightning or an Ioniq later, you might wanna "future-proof" now so you don't buy twice! Also, does your utility company offer any specific rebates for "smart" chargers? Some of them literally give you the unit for free if you pick a specific model they can throttle during peak hours.

Since you're looking for that budget sweet spot around $500-$600, I honestly think the Grizzl-E Classic NEMA 14-50 Plug-in EV Charger is amazing for the price. It's built like a tank (literally aluminum) and is super reliable, though the basic version doesn't have an app. If the app is a dealbreaker and you want to save money over the ChargePoint, check out the Wallbox Pulsar Plus 40 Amp Level 2 EV Charger. It's super compact, the app is actually really slick for tracking costs, and it fits right in your budget. I've used one for a year and it's been fantastic for topping off quickly between errands! Anyway, let me know about the future car plans and I can narrow it down better. 👍


3

Just saw this thread and wanted to jump in with a different perspective. Quick question though - is your NEMA 14-50 outlet located inside your garage or is it outside where itll be exposed to the rain and sun? Asking because even though most units say they're weather-rated, some definitely handle the elements better than others long-term. Since you mentioned a budget and wanting a good app, the Autel MaxiCharge Home Smart Electric Vehicle EV Charger is a sleeper pick that works great. It's usually around $500-600 and the app is honestly one of the best for tracking every penny you spend on electricity. Plus, its UL listed which is non-negotiable for me... dont want any sketchy hardware plugged in 24/7. Another one that's surprisingly solid is the Tesla Universal Wall Connector with 24ft Cable. I know, I know, putting a Tesla charger on a Chrysler sounds weird, but the build quality is basically top-tier and it has the J1772 adapter built right in. Its super reliable and fits right in your price range. Both will handle your 6.6 kW charging speed without breaking a sweat, tho the Tesla app is a bit more streamlined.


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