What You Need to Know When Installing an EV Charger At Home

EV chargers connect your home’s electrical system to your vehicle. When installing an electric vehicle charging station at home, you can choose from what are known as Level 1 or Level 2 chargers. Both Level 1 and Level 2 chargers are widely available in North America and have either a North American Charging Standard (NACS) or J1772 plug that will work with an electric car.

Level 1 EV Chargers

Level 1 EV chargers come with most EVs so you don’t have to do anything special to install an electric car charger. Plug one end into your wall outlet and the other into your car, then wait for it to charge.

Home wall outlets typically deliver 110V with a current of 15 amps for a charging speed of 1.8 kWs. One hour plugged in charging will give you a range of two or three miles. If you use your EV for quick trips around town, a Level 1 charger will work fine.

Level 2 EV Chargers

Installing an EV charger at home labeled as Level 2 can dramatically cut charging time. You will need a special 240V socket installed and use a specialized J1172 “J-plug” or NACS plug depending on your vehicle to connect your car. Any licensed electrician can install one.

The bigger challenge is current. Some homes current maxes out at 2.6 kW to 2.8 kW speeds. In some neighborhoods, and with some Level 2 brands, you may be able to access faster speeds of 7.2 kW to 12 kW. In general, for every hour of charging, you will be able to drive between 10 and 35 miles. If you drive many miles a week, you will benefit from installing a Level 2 charger at home.

Is It Worth Installing a Level 2 EV Charger At Home?

Balancing your lifestyle and cost vs. convenience is part of deciding if installing a charging station at home makes sense.

If you don’t drive far and have an outlet within easy reach of your car, a Level 1 charger may work fine. If you need to add an outlet near parking, it might be worth thinking of a Level 2 charger to make the installation expense worthwhile.

Next is the cost of the charger. Factor in what you will pay for the electrical work. You may need to do significant rewiring and your neighborhood infrastructure may have limits.

For most EV owners, the convenience of installing an electric vehicle charging station at home is worth it. If you live in an area where public charging options are few or inconvenient, a fast and reliable at-home option is essential. You can find a public charging station here.

Costs of Installing a Level 2 EV Charger

Here are details about the cost to install an EV charger at home of the Level 2 variety.

• Cost of charger or wall station. Your electricians may recommend a charger and may have a discount or you can buy your own, costing between $300 and $1,200.
• Cost of 220V or 240V outlet. Few homes have a 240V outlet in a garage or near parking. Most homes will need a dedicated circuit ran from the panel and the wire size and breaker will need to meet the EV Charger amp rating. It may be simple to have a 240V outlet installed, but if you have to rewire, the expense can quickly escalate.
• Wiring for connecting electrical panel to charger location. Rewiring, if needed, can be a major project. In some cases, like if you have a detached garage, it involves digging up your yard or breaking through concrete to bring wiring safely underground to where you need it.
• Electrical panel upgrades. Your home may have already maxed out available circuit breakers. Adding more breaker capacity will cost you. Also, if your home has only a 100 amp circuit panel, you may need to upgrade to a 200 amp circuit panel, which can be costly.  However, there are EV Chargers that can provide load management that may eliminate the need for a panel upgrade.
• Permits. Doing this kind of work usually requires a permit. Licensed electricians typically include permit fees into their costs to you.

Installing Electric Vehicle Chargers FAQs

Here are answers to commonly asked questions about electric vehicle charger installations:

1. Can I install an EV charger myself? While possible, most states and counties require hiring a licensed electrician, a local permit and inspection of work.
2. Do you need a 200 amp panel for EV charger? In most cases, you will need a 200 amp panel to get the charging speed you want. A licensed electrician can advise you.
3. Can you plug an EV directly into a 220V outlet? Yes, in most cases. However, the wire size and breaker would need to be sized correctly for the charger, and you would need to make sure your breaker panel can handle the load going through a 208-240V outlet A licensed electrician can advise you.
4. Are there tax rebates for home charger installation? Yes. Many states and cities offer rebates. Do the research to find out what is available in your specific location.
5. Is it cheaper to charge an EV with 110V or 220V? You pay for the amount of electricity you use, not the speed at which you use it. Your electricity cost to charge your EV is the same regardless of charger type. That said, if you charge fast and often, then drive farther, you might end up using more electricity per billing period.
6. Is charging your EV to 100% bad for the battery? Battery type matters. Alvoid fully draining the battery. It is best to charge when it drops below 50% and then unplug near or at the 80% mark, but it is best to check with your car’s manufacturer as they can vary depending on the type of EV you own.
7. Can I charge my electric car in my garage? Yes. You will need an accessible, working and reliable 110V outlet, at the very least.
8. Is it cheaper to charge EV at home or at a charging station? It depends on what you pay for electricity at home and the amount of the surcharge at nearby public charging stations. Often, Level 3 public charging is more expensive than charging at home. That’s because home charging gives you a predictable energy rate, and you have more control with energy choice.
9. How long does it take to install a home EV charger? Using a Level 1 charger that comes with your EV may take no time at all. Just plug it in. Having an electrician install a Level 2 charger takes anywhere from a day or to several weeks, depending on if you need to rewire or upgrade your electrical system.

How to Save Money on Your Electric Vehicle’s Energy Costs

Charging an EV at home may save you money depending on your electricity rate. In states with energy choice, you have more control over what you pay. Learn about what energy choice is and about choosing an energy supplier. Constellation can also help you with your home EV charger installation if you live in Maryland, Dallas or Houston.