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Originally Posted by powderjunkie
Curious what the other benefits are?
This is all very basic results from google - Level 1 around 80% efficient vs. 90% level 2. 20,000 km per year costs about $500 in electricity (obviously myriad variables here), so we're probably talking about ~$50 a year difference
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Depending on the vehicle, but some can be used for home power backup. Faster charge for those times you do need it. Pre-warming(or cooling) of vehicle. Some won't even get enough mains power to do that, and will start drawing from the battery. They often integrate better with smart charging apps/systems. Safer, because you don't have a plug being plugged in and removed from the wall socket, which causes wear and potential fire issues over time. Given they draw the max for the circuit(well, 80%, I think), you are using it at it's higher end of service design. Over time, I'd definitely watch this, and take the outlet out and make sure the connectors weren't back stabbed, and the screws are tight. You also won't want anything else on that circuit.
I'm not saying it's not fine to do, and that everything I listed is a benefit for everyone in every vehicle. But once you buy an EV, you'll probably replace it with one. So it does make sense to just bite the bullet now vs later. Particularly if you do need more extensive service upgrades. Prices always go up, electrical codes can change increasing cost, and if you are the last one in your 'hood to upgrade, you may find the power company saying no.
As to your quick google efficiency, most of what I had found reflected that, but the caveat is that's for typical temperatures. In the extreme cold and heat the battery needs to be temperature conditioned to receive a charge, and this can use a lot of the 12A available, meaning say 50% goes to battery conditioning(6A), and 50% to charging. At 40A(50A circuit) 6A goes to heating and 34A goes to charging. The percentage difference is large. When you really get into it, you can find this info, but I don't know the exact numbers.