How To Choose A Home Electric Car Charger

Overview

Being able to charge your electric vehicle at your home is convenient and easy.

Home charging of electric vehicles enhances when you switch from a 110-volt outlet on your wall to a quicker, 240V home charger - this switch can add around 15 to 60 miles of per hour range (RPH) to your charging!

A quicker charger also enables you to maximize your electric car’s output and cover more of your short and long-distance trips through electric driving.

Compatibility usually is not a problem with home chargers, since most of them can charge any electric car through the universal connector J1772 (Tesla chargers being an exception only compatible with Tesla cars).

However, there are several other factors you would want to consider before deciding on a home electric car charger. Let us discuss some of these factors.

Charging Speed

Charging speed varies, depending upon your charger’s electrical current or amperage.

Your electric car’s range, driving style, and commute will determine your requirement for speed – a vehicle with a low range, longer commute, and always operating on maximum speed, will require faster charging at home.

Typically, electric cars can handle around 32 amperes and add approximately 25 to 30 miles of RPH with charging, making a 32-ampere station a decent choice for most electric cars. A 50-ampere charger, though, will allow you to increase the charging speed further, adding around 37 miles of RPH of charging.

The Amount of Room on the Electrical Panel

It is essential to select a home electric car charger with an amperage level aligned with your home and car’s electrical capacity.

According to The National Electric Code, your electric circuit’s amperage should be at least 25% more than the charger’s output. For instance, if you want to purchase a Level 2 40-ampere charger, you should also have a circuit with a rating of at least 50 amperes. Another option could be to use one of those flexible chargers which allow you to set amperage levels that are compatible with your residence.

Checking your electric panel will allow you to find out the number of available amps for charging.

The Location for Charger Placement

Ideally, the electrical panel should be close to your home electric car charger.

You might need the electrician to form a conduit from your charging spot to your panel, and excessive conduit can prove costly. However, if you have your garage door close to your charger, it will become easier for you to charge more than one car simultaneously.

Getting a weatherproof charger allows you the option to install indoors or outdoors, depending upon your preferred parking spot. Although dryer circuits are not particularly secure for chargers, chargers that use 14-50 or NEMA 650 plugs can do the job, as those two plug types are common, and can easily be installed by an electrician.

Conclusion

Now that you have an understanding regarding the essential considerations to focus on while buying a home charger, you can better assess your options and choose one that is perfectly aligned with your home and vehicle requirements.

So, what are you waiting for?