TL;DR
For Level 1 EV charging (120V, 12A), a 1,500W generator is sufficient. For Level 2 charging (240V, 32A), you need at least 7,500W. Most homeowners choose a 7,500-12,000W generator to run both home essentials and an EV charger during outages.
What an EV Draws During Charging
Electric vehicle charging loads are substantial. A Level 1 charger (120V, 12 amps) draws 1.44 kW continuously for 12-24 hours to fully charge a standard EV. A Level 2 charger (240V, 32 amps) draws 7.68 kW and can replenish most EVs overnight in 6-10 hours.
The NEC requires EV charging circuits to be treated as continuous loads (Article 625), meaning the circuit must be sized at 125% of the charger's rated load. For generator sizing, this means a 32A Level 2 charger (7.68 kW) needs a generator that can sustain about 8 kW continuously, plus surge capacity for the startup load.
Top picks for this size
DuroMax XP10000E 10,000-Watt Gas Powered Portable Generator - Electric Start, Whole Home Backup Power, Transfer Switch Ready, RV & Emergency Ready #ad
★★★★☆ 4.6 · 666+ · $1560
Amazon
Champion Power Equipment 100177 8.5-kW Home Standby Generator with 50-Amp Outdoor-Rated Automatic Transfer Switch #ad
★★★★☆ 4.6 · 57 · $3649
Amazon
Generac 6864 XD5000E 5000-Watt Diesel-Powered Portable Generator - Ideal for Emergency Backup Power and Job Sites - Reliable Power for Demanding Applications - CARB Compliant #ad
★★★★☆ 4.6 · 25 · $4249
Amazon
Pulsar 10, 000W Dual Fuel Portable Generator with Switch & Go Technology & Electric Start, PG10000B16 Non-Carb Approved #ad
★★★★☆ 4.6 · 176+ · $1389
Amazon
Pulsar 5,250W Dual Fuel Portable Generator with Switch and Go Technology, PG5250B #ad
★★★★☆ 4.6 · 276+ · $580
Amazon
Westinghouse 5000 Peak Watt Super Quiet Portable Inverter Generator, Remote Electric Start with Auto Choke, Wheel & Handle Kit, RV Ready, Gas Powered, Parallel Capable #ad
★★★★☆ 4.7 · 5K+ ·
Amazon
Honda Power Equipment EU3000IS 3000W 120V Portable Home Gas Power Generator #ad
★★★★☆ 4.6 · 109+ · $2399
Amazon
Generac Guardian 10kW Home Standby Generator with 100 Amp Transfer Switch - Automatic Whole House Backup Power for Storms, Emergencies, and Outages, WiFi Enabled, Runs on Natural Gas or Liquid Propane #ad
★★★★ 4.2 · 38 · $4119
Amazon
Honda EB5000 5000 Watt Generator, Quiet 120/240V Gas Powered OSHA-Compliant Portable Generator for Construction Site or Backup Power Supply, Up to 10.5 Hour Run Time (EB5000XK3AN) #ad
★★★★☆ 4.6 · 19 · $2799
Amazon
Westinghouse 5000 Peak Watt Super Quiet Dual Fuel Portable Inverter Generator, Remote Electric Start, Gas & Propane Powered, RV Ready, CO Sensor, Parallel Capable #ad
★★★★☆ 4.7 · 2K+ · $1069
Amazon
Westinghouse 9500 Peak Watt Home Backup Portable Generator, Remote Electric Start with Auto Choke, Transfer Switch Ready, Gas Powered, CO Sensor #ad
★★★★ 4.2 · 6K+ ·
Amazon
Generac 7690 GP6500 6,500-Watt Gas-Powered Portable Generator - Powerrush Advanced Technology - Reliable Power for Emergencies and Recreation - 49-State Compliant #ad
★★★★☆ 4.6 · 3 · $703
Amazon
Westinghouse 5000 Peak Watt Super Quiet Dual Fuel Portable Inverter Generator, Remote Electric Start, Gas & Propane Powered, RV Ready 30A Outlet, Parallel Capable, Blue/Black #ad
★★★★☆ 4.6 · 1K+ ·
Amazon
Champion Power Equipment 8125-Watt Electric Start Tri-Fuel Portable Generator with Free 3-Year Warranty #ad
★★★★ 4.2 · 28 · $999
Amazon
Pulsar 7,250-Watt Super Quiet Dual Fuel Inverter Generator with Remote Start #ad
★★★★ 4.2 · 113+ · $998
Amazon
Champion Power Equipment 9375-Watt Dual Fuel Portable Generator with Electric Start and Free 3-Year Warranty #ad
★★★★☆ 4.6 · 9 · $989
Amazon
WEN 5,600-Watt Dual Fuel Portable Generator with Wheel Kit, Electric Start, and CO Watchdog (DF5600X) #ad
★★★★☆ 4.7 · 3K+ ·
Amazon
AIVOLT 8000W Dual Fuel Inverter Generator, Super Quiet Electric Start Portable Generator Gas Propane Powered for Home Backup, RV, Camping & Travel - CARB Compliant #ad
★★★★☆ 4.7 · 379+ · $1100
Amazon
Champion Power Equipment 9375-Watt Electric Start Dual Fuel Home Backup Portable Generator with and CO Shield #ad
★★★★★ 5 · · $1000
Amazon
Champion Power Equipment 12,500-Watt Electric Start Tri Fuel Home Backup Portable Generator with Free 3-Year Warranty #ad
★★★★ 4.2 · 33 · $1260
Amazon
Genkins 8000W Inverter Generator Outdoor Portable Generators Gas Powered Super Quiet with Electric Start Ideal for Home Backup, RV, Camping, Travel #ad
★★★★☆ 4.7 · 17 · $839
Amazon
Generac 8,000-Watt Gas-Powered Portable Generator - COsense Technology - Powerrush Advanced Technology - Power for Emergencies and Recreation - Electric Start - Orange/Black - 50 State Compliant #ad
★★★★☆ 4.6 · 2 · $1283
Amazon
Generac 12,500 Starting Watt Tri-Fuel Portable Generator - Electric Start - Gas, Propane or Natural Gas - Home Backup, Jobsite, or RV - Quiet Operation - Long Runtime - 50-State Compliant #ad
★★★★☆ 4.6 · 26 · $1399
Amazon
WEN 6800-Watt Dual Fuel RV-Ready Electric Start Portable Inverter Generator with Fuel Shut Off and CO Watchdog for Electric Vehicle Backup (DF680iX) #ad
★★★★☆ 4.7 · 309+ ·
Amazon
Westinghouse 5000 Peak Watt Super Quiet Dual Fuel Portable Inverter EFI Generator, Remote Electric Start, Gas & Propane Powered, RV Ready, CO Sensor, Parallel Capable, CARB Compliant #ad
★★★★☆ 4.7 · 80 · $1249
Amazon
Westinghouse 7500 Peak Watt EFI Dual Fuel Home Backup Portable Generator, Remote Electric Start, Transfer Switch Ready, Gas and Propane Powered, CO Sensor, CARB Compliant #ad
★★★★ 4.2 · 6K+ · $1049
Amazon
Westinghouse 8200 Peak Watt Tri-Fuel Portable Inverter Generator, Remote Electric Start, Transfer Switch Ready, Gas, Propane, Natural Gas, Low THD, Safe for Electronics, Parallel Capable, CO Sensor #ad
★★★★☆ 4.6 · 196+ · $1399
Amazon
Generac 12,500 Starting Watt Tri-Fuel Portable Generator, Electric Start, Gas Propane Natural Gas, COsense Carbon Monoxide Detection, 9.5 Hour Runtime, Home Backup Emergency, 49-State Compliant #ad
★★★★☆ 4.6 · 32 ·
Amazon
Champion Power Equipment 8500-Watt Wireless Remote Start Ultra Quiet Tri Fuel RV Ready Portable Inverter Generator with StartLINK, Free 3-Year Warranty #ad
★★★★ 4 · 3 · $1389
Amazon
Generac 10kW Home Standby Generator with 16 circuit transfer switch, cellular connectivity, easy to use, whole house power backup, smart outage solution #ad
★★★★☆ 4.6 · · $3896
Amazon
These Amazon-available picks meet the calculated spec. For region-specific or licensed contractor-installed options, consult a local professional. See our Disclaimers.
Generator Options for EV Charging by Charger Type
- Level 1 only (120V, 12A): 2,000-3,000W portable generator is enough for charging + a few essentials
- Level 2, 16A (3.84 kW): 5,000W generator — can charge while running fridge + lights + furnace
- Level 2, 32A (7.68 kW): 7,500-8,500W generator — needs dedicated circuit, run essentials + EV
- Level 2, 48A+ (11.5+ kW): 14,000W+ standby generator — whole-house solution required
Frequently asked questions
Can I charge my EV with a portable generator?
Yes. Level 1 charging works with any generator rated for 1,500W+. For Level 2, you need a generator with a 240V outlet rated for the charger's amperage. A 7,500W generator with an L14-30R receptacle can handle most Level 2 chargers.
Will charging my EV from a generator damage my car?
No, provided the generator produces clean, stable power (THD <5%). Most inverter generators meet this spec. Conventional generators may produce dirty power that can confuse the EV's charging controller.
How many EV charges can I get from one generator tank?
A 7,500W generator burning 1 gal/hr of propane can add about 25-30 miles of EV range per hour of Level 2 charging. A full 20-lb propane tank gives roughly 150 miles of range over 6 hours.