Charging Options

Electric vehicle motors are fueled by large on-board batteries.  Just like a cellphone or any other modern battery-operated device, electric vehicles need to be recharged periodically.  Owners have three choices for fully charging  electric vehicles batteries:

     Level 1: standard residential 110 volt receptacle rated at 15 amps. Charging time may take 2-3 days

     Level 2: 208/240volt Receptacle. Charging time 3-8 hours.

     Level 3: Commercial “Fast Charger” 208/240 volt system. Charging time approximately 30 minutes for most vehicles.

Level 2 EV Charger Voltage, Installation & Cost

Although an electric vehicle can charge on a typical residential 110 volt 15 amp circuit, the charging time may take a couple of days. If a vehicle is used daily, Level 1 probably won’t be sufficient for most drivers.  For reliable electric vehicle charging at home, a Level 2 EV charger speeds up the process substantially.  In fact, the latest Level 2 chargers can fully charge the vehicle’s batteries in as little as a few hours. Unfortunately, it is not as simple as hanging the charger on the wall and lugging it in.

A Level 2 home charging station requires a 240v outlet (similar to that used by a water heater or electric clothes dryer) with a NEMA 6-50 plug, and can recharge your EV’s battery in a few hours at a rate of about 10 to 20 miles per hour of charging time. Electrical output of Level 2 chargers ranges from 9 kW to 19.2 kW of electricity, and prices differ based on this range of capabilities. In general, the average price of Level 2 EV charging equipment and install will run an average of around $2,000.

The biggest hurdle for Level 2 charger installation is the home’s electrical system limitations. Most Level 2 chargers require a 100 amp service.  Some homes do not have sufficient capacity and require electrical upgrades to safely power a charger.  Installing the power supply for a charger involves calculating the electrical load of all the electrical systems in the house, evaluating the condition and rating of the incoming power lines, and the electrical panel’s capacity. The installation may require upgrading the home’s electrical panel (circuit breaker box), utility power service lines, and/or running a new power line directly from the home’s electrical meter.  Accordingly, the installation of an electrical branch service for a charger should be handled by a licensed professional electrical contractor.

Incentives–Help With Costs

Yes, the cost of a Level 2 EV charger can be expensive. However, there may be help to cover the cost of installing a home EV charger.  Many states offer incentives for Level 2 charging station installation, including rebates from utility companies. A good place to search for incentive programs is the Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy (DSIRE); simply enter a  ZIP code and filter by charging equipment.