No matter what you think about electric cars, car manufacturers have made it clear they’re here to stay. But since there’s no one standard charger for electric vehicles, it can be confusing for homeowners who want to charge their electric cars at home. Contact online >>
No matter what you think about electric cars, car manufacturers have made it clear they’re here to stay. But since there’s no one standard charger for electric vehicles, it can be confusing for homeowners who want to charge their electric cars at home.
The kind of outlet needed for an electric car depends on your car’s model. For example, a Chevrolet Volt uses a 120v outlet, while the Tesla Model S battery needs a 240v outlet. While you can plug an electric car into a household outlet, a higher-voltage outlet will reduce the charging time.
Read on to learn more about electric car charging, the time it takes to fully charge, and the different types of outlets.
Several factors determine how long it takes to charge an electric vehicle. They factor in whether you’re talking about fast charging for a little additional range or putting it on the charger overnight.
That means the charging time can vary greatly, even among similar-sized cars.
For example, a Chevy Bolt adds a measly 4 miles of range per charging hour on a 120-volt plug. Similarly, a Tesla Model 3 can take between 7 and 29 hours, depending on how much power your home’s circuitry can handle.
Not only do the batteries in electric cars have limits to how much power they can accept, but the charging stations have different power delivery capacities.
For example, a Tesla Model 3 will charge much slower when you plug it into a circuit with a 15 amp breaker than if you would plug it into a plug with a 60 amp breaker.
To make things more complicated, it has a maximum charge rate of 7.7Kw, so even if you plug it into a 60 amp circuit, it can’t take advantage of that extra power.
Most manufacturers, like Tesla, will list a theoretical charging time.
However, to figure out your EV’s charging time, divide your car’s battery pack by the electric vehicle charging station’s output rate or a number lower than the vehicle’s acceptance rate.
That gives you the number of hours required to charge an empty battery.
Usually, this information is displayed when you plug your car into a charging station.
The 120v outlet is the standard outlet in any US and Canadian home. It’s the same plug you use for your cell phone chargers, TVs, and microwaves.
More importantly, you can also plug in your electric car. This is sometimes called Level 1 charging in yourcarport or garage.
Electric car charger outlets should be on their own dedicated circuit.
You may draw extra amperage and trip a breaker if your charging outlet is connected to the same circuit as your laundry room or kitchen. Call an electrician to add a dedicated circuit rather than trying to DIY it.
Charging your electric car is as easy as charging your smartphone. Just plug in to your existing NEM5-15 receptacle or install a 5-15R/5-20R socket, plug in and you''re done!
Level 1 charging power output can be between 12 and 16amps of continuous power. That means the charger can deliver between 3.5 and 6.5 miles of range per hour of charging.
That’s enough to get you around 40 miles of daily driving.
The 240v charging system is called Level 2 charging and is much faster than charging through a 120v outlet. Some chargers allow you to plug in both 120v and 240v outlets (source).
Level 2 charging adds close to 60 miles of range to a car per hour of charging time, making it ideal for electric vehicles. They typically produce between 16 and 40 amps of power output. That translates into 14 to 35 miles of electric range per hour of charging.
It’s worth noting that fully electric cars require level 2 or 240v charging to get a full battery overnight.
Installing a level 2 charging system in a home with adequate electrical service is inexpensive. However, if your home requires a substantial electrical service upgrade, you may have to pay more.
My neighbor added a dedicated 240-volt outlet for his Tesla Model X to ensure he wouldn’t overload his circuits while charging his EV.
The cost of installation ranges between $500-$1,000, depending on the electrician or the company you choose to work with. In some cases, youmay be eligible for a 30% tax credit.
Level 2 EV chargers require 240 volts from your breaker panel to the charging station. Usually, this means installing a double-pole circuit breaker to two 120v outlets to double the circuit voltage.
Occasionally, you may need to replace the breaker box to have a compatible interface.
Given the technical nature of this job, It’s vital to work with an experienced and licensed electrical contractor who understands the local, state, and national regulations and codes. Be sure to check with your local building permit department andensure your contractor pulls any permits you need.
Get up to a 6x faster charge with this Level 2 charger. Included app gives you instant access to your car''s battery level, and let''s you schedule charging times for when electricity is cheapest - saving you tons of money!
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