Easy Guide: Do you Need an EV Charger at Home?

One of the most fundamental questions I'm asked by new and on-the-fence EV (Electric Vehicle) owners: "Do I need an EV charger at home?"

Let's charge into the details and shed light on this electrifying topic!

(if you don't like bad puns, stop reading here, or skip to the conclusion at the bottom for the summary answer)

Basics: Charging at Home vs. Public Charging

Home Sweet Volt-Home

Waking up to a fully charged EV isn’t just convenient, it's transformative. There's something almost magical about "refueling" your vehicle in the comfort of your garage or driveway. Plus, charging at home is typically more cost-effective than using public charging stations. Think of it as the difference between cooking a gourmet meal at home versus dining out at a premium restaurant – both fill you up, but one keeps your finances a lot healthier.

One Pedantic Aside: The Charger Misnomer

While we casually refer to the wall unit as the "charger," it's more accurately a conduit for power. The wall unit supplies power to the charger which lives inside your EV, right on your battery, transforming the alternating current (AC) from your wall to the direct current (DC) your battery needs.

Installation Considerations for Existing Homes

Charging with a Standard 110V Outlet: The Tortoise Approach

Every EV can charge from a standard 110V outlet, the same type you'd plug a lamp into. However, this method is akin to filling a swimming pool with a teaspoon. It adds 2-3 miles of range per hour, so overnight you might add about 24-36 miles of range. If your daily journey is kids school, in-town errands, and soccer, you're probably good with this.

When the Daily Grind Exceeds the Slow Trickle

The average American commute is about 40 miles. If your daily commute goes beyond the overnight charge or your office doesn't give you Level 2 (L2) charging, consider adding a L2 wall unit to your home.

Installing a Level 2 Home Charger

Understanding the Power Infrastructure

Imagine trying to quench your thirst with one of those tiny drink stirrers. That's your 110V outlet.

Level 2 (L2) charging requires a 240V circuit (like the one that powers your oven or dryer).

Electrical Panel Capacity: Your Home’s Power Hub

Some newer homes already have a 240V in the garage. If you do, you can skip this step! Otherwise, you'll need to check your circuit panel. Do you have space for another breaker and capacity to handle it?

A minimum of 100A service is required by the National Electric Code (NEC). Most modern homes are equipped with 200A service, often providing more than 40A of spare capacity. Inspecting your panel and reading the labels and breakers will help you answer both questions.

Newer homes tend to have the spare breaker space and capacity.

Older homes usually need to upgrade their panels. Rounding heavily, this could be about $5k (and could be a good opportunity to add some smarts to it and capture tax credits to offset -- check out SPAN 's digital breakers)

Running the "Straw"

The cost of adding wiring from your panel to your parking spot can vary, typically from $500 to over $2,000 on the distance and any obstacles.

Choosing Your Charger

Amazon alone offers a ton of choices for wall connectors, but not all are created equal. As of Q3 2023, the universal Tesla wall connector has set a benchmark for reliability and cross-compatibility with both Teslas and CCS-equipped vehicles.

Tesla Universal Wall Connector: $595 (as of Nov 8, 2023) https://shop.tesla.com/category/charging

Thinking about a Bi-Directional Unit?

If you're considering Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) capabilities, be prepared for a significant increase in cost and additional equipment requirements (not covered here), and ensure your vehicle is compatible as well.

Cars Commerce lists EVs compatible with bi-directional charging here: https://www.cars.com/articles/whats-bidirectional-charging-and-which-evs-offer-it-457608/)

For the Future Builders and Renovators

Planning for Electrification

If you’re starting from scratch or opening walls anyway, run those 240V lines to your parking spots. Two 60A circuits will give you the flexibility to charge multiple EVs or future-proof your setup for higher-capacity vehicles down the line.

In many locations, this is becoming part of the building code anyway.

Verdict: Essential or Extravagant?

To circle back to our core inquiry: Is a home EV charger a need or a nicety?

Need: If your daily drive exceeds 30 miles and workplace charging isn't an option.

For the occasional and short-distance driver, the standard outlet might suffice.

With Level 2 (L2) home charging, the concept of 'filling up' changes radically, unlocking an enviable new lifestyle. You wake up every morning to a fully charged EV and {almost} never have to stop to "fill up" again.