Can plug-in solar charge my electric vehicle?

Only indirectly, through your home's circuits. It is also important to note that Level 2 EV charging draws between 7 and 10 kW. You would need twenty balcony systems to charge a car from panels alone, way beyond the 1,200 W that most states' plug-in solar laws allow.

What it does is reduce the cost of charging. If you charge during daylight hours, your kit's output offsets part of what the charger pulls from the grid. Daytime EV charging is a great reason to make a second panel or even multiple kits worth buying because it guarantees the extra generation gets consumed rather than exported.

Some companies market larger 240 V plug-in solar systems specifically for EV charging, such as solar carports.

Does it help with Level 1 charging?

Proportionally more, since a standard outlet charger draws around 1,400W. A 360W kit covers a meaningful fraction of that during daylight, though Level 1 charging is slow to begin with.

Should I get a second panel or several kits because I own an EV?

If you regularly charge during the day, yes. If you charge overnight, the extra generation has nothing to offset and will mostly flow to the grid unpaid.

Can I plug my panels straight into the car?

No. Cars charge from AC through their onboard charger or from a DC fast charger, neither of which accepts panel output directly.

This question comes up frequently in the Bright Saver Community, where members installing plug-in solar right now compare notes on what actually works.