What are my EV charging options from home?

Have you just bought an EV or are considering purchasing one in the future, but not sure how you will charge it from home? Luckily, this is not complicated. There are two main options to consider: Level 1 charging vs Level 2 charging. The first option is a charging cable that connects the regular outlet at your house to your EV (called a Level 1 charger), while the second option is a much faster wall-mounted EV charging station that is installed in your home (called a Level 2 charger).

What is Level 1 charging?

Every new electric car comes with the car manufacturer's Level 1 charger to ensure the basic needs of EV charging. These chargers are the slowest type of EV chargers, and usually have low amperage, plug into regular 110-volt outlets, and provide a 15A current on a 120V circuit. Using a Level 1 charger, it can take up to 1 day to fully charge an EV with a relatively small battery, and up to 2-3 days for larger battery electric trucks such as GMC Hummer EV Pickup or Rivian R1T.

However, Level 1 plays an important emergency charging role, so it is advised to always carry it in your trunk or frunk. Some EV drivers find it impractical or inconvenient to use it for daily home charging. Additionally, constantly moving a heavy cable from your trunk that usually lays on dirty surfaces is not the experience you might want each time you have to charge your electric vehicle.

If you're looking for a more convenient way to charge from home, then Level 2 charging from home is likely for you.

What do I need for Level 2 charging at home?

For Level 2 charging you need a privately owned parking space, enough space in the electrical panel, hardware and to find the right certified electrician.

Level 2 chargers come in different shapes and forms, but mostly with the same or similar technical specifications - they can charge a car on single-phase 24A, 32A, 40A, or 48A current. The rule-of-thumb here is that the charger requires a breaker of 20% higher amperage installed in your panel. If the panel has no breaker space, a panel upgrade will be required.

If you want to control your charger via mobile phone, you will need to buy a smart EV charger and make sure the location has good WIFI reception.

Typically, an EV charger installation costs around $2,000 (including the Level 2 charger). However, this amount will depend on the feet of wiring, hours of work, number of walls to drill through, amperage availability in the panel, and what EV charger you have chosen. It can typically be less expensive if your home’s electrical panel has enough breaker space for the charger and is close to the preferred charging location.