Autel MaxiCharger Home Level 2 EV Charger 40A: features, specs and fit

The Autel MaxiCharger Home is a Level 2 electric vehicle charger for use at home, indoors or outdoors. It runs at 240 volts and up to 40 amps, comes with a 25-foot charging cable and plugs into a NEMA 14-50 receptacle rather than being hard-wired. Here is what the listed features mean.

What Level 2 charging is

Level 1 charging uses an ordinary household outlet and is slow. Level 2 uses a 240-volt supply, similar to a dryer or range circuit, and typically charges several times faster. Autel says it is up to 7 times faster than a standard outlet charger and quotes about 30 miles of range for each hour of charging. Real results depend on the vehicle's onboard charger and the battery, so check what your car can accept.

Adjustable amperage

The charger offers 40A, 32A, 24A and 16A settings. A lower setting suits a circuit with less capacity or a vehicle that accepts less current, while 40A is the top speed. Autel also lists a 2.63-foot power cord on the plug end. As a general rule, continuous loads are typically set at 80% of the circuit's capacity, so check with an electrician which setting suits your receptacle and breaker.

Plug-in installation

The unit plugs into an existing NEMA 14-50 receptacle. Autel says installation takes about five minutes if you already have one, and that a plug-in model is easier to mount, remove and take with you if you move. If you don't have a suitable receptacle, a qualified electrician should install it to local electrical codes. Follow the manual.

The cable

The 25-foot charging cable is described as designed to stay flexible in cold weather, which matters if you charge outdoors in winter. Check the charging connector type against your vehicle's inlet, since the listing doesn't state it.

App control

The Autel Charger app lets you set charging speeds from 16 to 40 amps and schedule when charging starts and stops. Scheduling is how drivers commonly shift charging to times that their utility prefers. The listing also mentions automatic app updates.

Weather protection

Autel lists a NEMA 4X enclosure. NEMA 4X is an enclosure type for protection against windblown dust, rain, splashing water, hose-directed water and external ice formation, and for corrosion resistance. Autel describes the unit as dust-tight and water-tight.

Who it suits

It suits EV owners with a garage or driveway receptacle already in place, renters who may move, and those who want a charger they can take with them.

What to check before you buy

• Receptacle: confirm you have a properly installed NEMA 14-50 outlet on a circuit rated for the amperage you'll use.
• Vehicle connector: make sure the plug type matches your car.
• Cable reach: measure the distance from the outlet to the vehicle's charge port.
• Local rules: follow local codes and the manual, and use a qualified electrician for any new wiring.
• Support: check the warranty terms. The listing mentions three years.

The short version

• Plug-in Level 2 EV charger, 240V, up to 40A.
• Adjustable at 40, 32, 24 or 16 amps.
• 25-foot flexible cable and NEMA 14-50 plug.
• NEMA 4X enclosure for indoor or outdoor use.
• App for charging speed and scheduling.

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