EV Charging At Home: This is All You Need To Know 

If electric vehicles symbolize affordability and convenience, charging them can often be stressful. But what if I say that from now you do not have to wait so long at a public charging station? With the development of modern technology now, it is feasible to charge your electric vehicle at home if you want to know how to charge electric vehicles at home. Well! This comprehensive guide will give you all the needed information about EV charging at home.

Installation of the EV home charger

According to a survey by energy.gov, more than 80 percent of electric vehicle owners charge their vehicles at home. If you want to install Level 1 equipment, you do not have to pay an additional installation charge. They need a power outlet on a dedicated branch circuit near the charging spot. But installing Level 2 charging equipment needs additional installation charges and professional help. Installing a home charging outlet where your electric vehicle is parked will allow you to charge it at home. Occasionally, you can use an EVSE supply cord for a 3-pin plug socket as a backup. Drivers prefer a dedicated home charging point because of safety purposes and faster charging speed. The home charger mounts to a wall with a connected charging cable. Also, EV home charger installation is not easy, so do not forget to take professional help to avoid any damage.

Guidelines for charging

Firstly, you need to install a home charging point when it comes to EV charging. So, you will charge your electric vehicle overnight or when you are at work or running errands. Installing EV chargers can be costly, but there are some Utility and state incentives to help you with. They usually cost around $500, depending on the location. Also, the cost of electricity varies with location. In the US, it is around 16 cents per kWh, about $56 monthly, to charge your Electric vehicle at home.

Which type of plug do I need to charge my EV?

Charging EVs from any plug is possible. But there are some guidelines you have to keep in mind.

• If you are using a common 120V outlet, it will take more time to charge your EV fully.
• Level 2 charger can do this work faster for you. But it would be best if you had a proper outlet for charging your AV. For the outlet, you can take help from your electrician.
• Please make sure your charging cord is compatible with your electric vehicle. Do not forget to read the label and EV owner’s manual instructions before charging your beast.

How to choose the right type of charger for your EV?

Selecting the right charger type is as necessary as selecting the right type of vehicle. You can easily choose the right charger for your EV depending on the vehicle type and needs.

• If you have full overnight to charge your EV without interruption, then the Level 1 charger can work. However, we do not recommend a level 1 charger if you drive more than 4000 km a year.
• Most manufacturers recommend you use a level 2 charger at your home. They may cost you more but are more cost-efficient in the long run.
• DC Level 3 needs a very expensive setup and more power than your domestic supply. These are recommended for street-side charging, petrol station, motorways, fleet vehicles, and some commercial users.

How to charge an electric Vehicle at home?

You can easily charge your electric car from the comfort of your home using a level 2 charging station. You must install the charging station in your garage, private parking lot, or on the side of your house based on the type of EV. Take the help of your electrician, as it should be wired directly into your domestic home supply. You can use an EVSE supply cord for a 3-pin plug socket as a backup. Set up a dedicated home charging point which should be compact, waterproof, and mounted to a wall with a charging cable. Qualified professional installers can only set up this type of charging station to avoid damage.

Levels of Charging

Levels

EV home charger is mainly of three types and offers different charging paces. The greater the charging level, the faster your new electric car will charge. As the level of charging rises, the vehicles charging speed and output power will also rise.

Level 1

Most EV owners charge their automobiles overnight with Level 1 chargers because they need no extra cost or installation; they need a power outlet on a dedicated branch circuit near the charging spot. In short, charging using a regular AC power plug offers a 6 to 8 kilometers range per hour. However, we do not recommend level 1 charging unless it is mandatory.

Level 2

If you have longer commuted, large vehicles and are involved in irregular schedules, then the Level 1 charger is a big no. You can use Level 2 chargers that are easy to install and need extra installation costs. But some state and utility incentives may be there to help you with the cost of installation. Level 2 chargers work at lightning-fast speed and charge up to 90 percent in 5 to 6 hours with a charging speed of approx. 45 km per hour for a full-electric and 22.5 km per hour for a plug-in hybrid vehicle. Although level 2 chargers are costly in the long term, they are proven cheaper and more reliable.

Level 3

If you charge your EV using DC or rapid charging, bypassing the internal AC/DC converter by using a current source to charge your EV battery, it is Level 3 charging. Level 3 chargers work at lightning-fast speed and fully charge your battery in just a couple of minutes compared to Level 1 or Level 2, which takes quite hours to charge from zero to full. But Level 3 chargers are very costly and hard to set up at home, so we prefer level 2 chargers.

How long does it take to charge at home?

 

Vehicle/charger	3kW	11kW	50kW
18 kWh	6 Hours	1 hour 30 Minutes	22 Minutes
40 kWh	13+ Hours	3hours 30 Minutes	48 Minutes
100 kWh	33+ Hours	5 hours	2 hours

 

Charging your battery at home is not a cumbersome process. Usually, it takes as less as half an hour or more than a full night. The charging speed depends on the charging points speed and the batterys size. An electric car has a 60-kilo watt hour battery that usually takes around 8 hours to charge with a 7kW charging point fully. With a more powerful charger, such as 50kW, you can charge sufficiently to travel around 100 miles in just half an hour. However bigger battery takes a long time to charge fully. With high quality and the best home EV charger, you will always be ready to go without any concern about the battery.

FAQs

1. Is charging an Electric Vehicle at home cheaper?

Charging your Electric Vehicle at home is the most cost-efficient and effective way. Although to make things smooth, you need to spend some extra fortune; it is all worth it.

2. What is the 80 percent rule for Electric Vehicles?

The 80 percent rule is not hard and fast. It just says that if you are traveling long distances in EV, then at the time of charging, you can stop charging at 80% and then get back to the journey instead of letting the battery fill up.

3. Is charging my EV 100 percent, correct?

Full charging your Electric vehicle battery offers maximum operating time. However, we do not recommend charging your battery to 100 percent, as overcharging reduces the overall life expectancy of the battery.

4. Can I use the regular outlet to plug my EV? 

For charging your EV, you use a 120-volt home outlet (level 1), 208-240V outlets (Level 2), or 480V plus fast chargers Level 3). Each options rate and charging time depend on your battery size and type of automobile.

5. Is frequently charging my EV cause any damage?

Electric vehicles are designed to withstand even months of activity very well. EVs are engineered in such a way that they have built-in safeguards to avoid any damage caused by overcharging, Overheating, and over-discharging.