With the ever-increasing demand for electric vehicles (EVs), the importance of EV home charging has become even more significant. While public charging stations can often offer conveniently fast charges, charging an EV at home offers several advantages, including the convenience of an overnight charge, cost-effectiveness, and peace of mind that a charger will be available when you need it most.
Whether you will be operating your vehicle for work, a regular commute, or pleasure, the most convenient and affordable solution is to install an EV charger at home. With roughly 80% of EV charging happening at home, installing a charger just makes sense.
Here’s what you need to know about charging at home.
The Advantages of Home Charging
Charging your EV at home offers convenience, allowing you to connect your vehicle to electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) directly at your residence. Your equipment may be mounted inside your garage, to a pedestal, on an exterior wall near your driveway, or in a carport, among other places.
The Advantages of Level 2 Chargers
For a home installation, choosing a Level 2 charger, which operates at 240V (as do certain common residential appliances, such as clothes dryers), is wise because it is a great option for overnight charging. With a maximum power rating of 19.2 kilowatts, a Level 2 unit can typically restore an empty battery in 4-10 hours. Level 2 chargers generally cost between $500 and $2,000, not including installation costs, with the brand and power rating accounting for the difference. There are various models of Level 2 chargers on the market.
Level 1 chargers, sometimes called “trickle chargers,” operate more slowly, taking 40-50 hours to charge an EV battery fully. Level 1 charging cords can conveniently be plugged into a standard 110V/120V outlet. While a convenient option for those who rarely drive, this level of charger may not be convenient for anyone with regular trips, travel, or daily errands.
Level 3 chargers (DC fast chargers, or DCFC) are found in public venues but are unsuitable for home charging due to costs and energy demand. They operate at particularly high power levels, which can significantly shorten the EV battery life of your electric vehicle. After 40 charging cycles using DCFC, the battery can degrade to 60% of its designed capacity. DCFC units are also much more expensive than Level 2 chargers.
Will You Need an Electrician?
It would be best if you had a certified electrician perform the installation for several reasons.
One, you will need a permit for a home EV charger, which must be installed in compliance with local code. Nobody understands electrical codes better than a licensed electrician.
Second, to ensure your charger’s safe and efficient installation, you may need to upgrade your breaker panel and wiring to increase the system’s amperage. A licensed electrician is skilled at evaluating your home’s electricity load based on your appliances and devices to determine your needed panel capacity.
The electrician can also determine if adding load-shedding equipment will eliminate or lower the cost of any needed panel upgrades. When working around electricity, it is best to have someone who knows what they are doing.
