Home electric vehicle (EV) charging station

Hi Claire,

Good question. Choosing an EV charger for your home mainly comes down to preference. The typical 120-volt household outlet can be used to charge most EVs.It takes a total of 8 hours to completely recharge most vehicles, and the charging equipment requires very little set up. EVs even come with a 120-volt cord set with a three-prong plug at one end to plug into a wall outlet and an automotive standardized connector on the other end to plug into the EV. According to Plugincars, using a 120-volt outlet to charge your EV provides 5 miles of range per hour of driving.

The other option is to install a 240-volt circuit (the same circuit that is used for clothing dryers), which cuts down charging time in half. A 240-volt circuit requires the installation of a dedicated circuit and a charging station at your home; however, it provides 10-25 miles of range per hour of charging, a significant increase.

What Are The Steps for EV Charger Installation?

1. Conduct a Home Power Assessment: A certified electrician will be able to tell you if your home can handle the additional power requirement of either 15-20 amps with the 120-volt charge or 30-40 amps with the 240-volt charge based on the age of your home and size of your electrical panel. If an upgrade is needed, costs can start at a few hundred dollars.
2. Select Your Charger: In the 120-volt and 240-volt varieties, you can choose between pole-mounted, wall-mounted, or freestanding stations. It is also important to determine the location of your charger compared to the charging port on your car. Most cables are 15-25 feet, so be sure your cable can reach where you plan to park your car! Consulting your automobile manufacturer and selecting a charger that has been certified to UL standards with a Society of Automotive Engineers compliant connector will help you decide on the best charger for you. Some popular charging station brands include the Clipper Greek CS-40, the Aerovironment EVSE RS-Plug-in, and the Ecotality Blink.
3. Check With Your Utility: If you decide on a 240-volt charging station, you must notify your local utility so that they can ensure reliable electrical service. Consulting your utility will also help you to learn more about the installation process and the cheapest times for charging your EV.
4. Schedule an Installation and Get a Permit: Typically, automakers and utilities have installer partners for home charging stations. Be sure to check that your electrician is licensed and insured. To install a new circuit, a building permit and field inspection is often required.

Learn more about EV Charging Stations HERE.

I hope this helps you decide what kind of EV charger is best for your home.