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A Beginner's Resource for Electric Vehicle Charging

As electric vehicles rise in popularity, so does the need for electric vehicle charging. While many EV owners appreciate the convenience of public charging stations, the majority prefer to charge their cars at home. In fact, the U.S. Department of Energy reports that over 80% of EV charging occurs at home. With more people seeking at-home chargers to power their vehicles overnight, setting up your own charging station has never been easier.

However, if you’re new to owning an EV or are considering buying one, the idea of setting up your first at-home charger may feel a bit intimidating. Fortunately, you’ll soon find that installing your home charger is less complicated than it seems. In this article, we’ll guide you through everything you need to know about charging your EV’s battery from the comfort of your own home.

Electric Vehicle Charging Panels

Electric vehicle charging panels must be installed in a designated location and connected to the power grid. We suggest linking your EV panel to your home’s power supply and placing your charging port near your garage for easy access. If you prefer not to park in the garage, you can set up your charging panels in other areas of your property. Just think about where you like to park your car, and this will help you to choose the perfect spot for your new charging station.

 

There are three levels of charging available to power up your electric car. Let’s explore Level 1, Level 2, and DC fast charging to help you find the best choice for your preferences:

  • Level 1 charging requires a standard 120-volt outlet. Most electric vehicles come with a 120-volt cord that you can plug into an outlet, just like how you would charge your smartphone or laptop.
  • Level 2 charging requires a 240-volt outlet and a special charging unit.
  • DC fast charging is the fastest type of charging available for passenger cars and requires at least a 480-volt outlet (typically found on commercial properties).

Since your home probably has the 120-volt outlet required for a Level 1 charger, it’s a great starting point. However, keep in mind that this charger takes considerable time to recharge your car’s batteries. For instance, if you begin with an empty battery, it could take up to FIFTY hours to charge your EV to 80%! So, if you choose this option, make sure to plan ahead to avoid any last-minute issues.

Among these three options, 240-volt Level 2 charging stations stand out as the most popular choice. This popularity stems from their ease of installation, affordability, and user-friendly design. Level 2 chargers can recharge your car from empty to 80% in roughly 4 to 10 hours, depending on the amperage. For example, a 30-amp circuit provides about 20 miles of range for every hour of charging.

While Level 2 chargers can be set up at home, they are often found in public locations such as workplaces, shopping centers, and gas stations that provide EV charging. If your home lacks a spare 240-volt outlet, you might need to hire an electrician to install one. If your electrician needs to upgrade your power panel, we offer a selection of electrical panels to ensure you can achieve the output needed to charge your EV.

DC, or direct current, fast chargers can bypass your EV’s built-in charger to directly power the batteries, making it the fastest charging option available. This type of charging can take your car’s battery from 0% to 80% in just 20 to 60 minutes! However, the downside is that DC fast chargers are challenging to install and demand significant resources and materials to work effectively.

Electric Vehicle Charging Cords

Electric vehicle charging cords are used to hookup your EV to your home’s charging panel. 30-amp and 50-amp are the two most common types of EV Power Cords:

  • 30-amp Power Cords are the most common type of EV charging cord, and they pair well with Level 1, 120-volt systems. It uses a three-prong, NEMA TT-30 plug to deliver up to 3,600 watts of electricity. 30-amp EV Extension Cords can be used for most EVs, trailers, and small RVs.
  • 50-amp Power Cords offer much more power distribution than 30-amp cords and are a good fit for Level 2 120/240-volt chargers. They use a 4-prong, NEMA 14-50 plug to transport up to 12,000 watts of electricity. This cord is often used to power large capacity EV batteries, trailers, and large RVs.

At times, you may need to adapt a 30-amp or 50-amp outlet into a receptacle suitable for your EV. Dogbone Adapters are a quick and effortless way to transform outlets into the connection you need. However, it’s important to note that your EV Dogbone Cable Adapter is limited by its lowest rated end. For example, a 30-amp to 50-amp EV Dogbone Adapter can only safely be used for up to 30-amp, 120-volt of electricity.

Preparing yourself with the right electric vehicle charging equipment is key to setting up your at-home EV charging station. If you have any questions about this article or our EV products, feel free to contact us at info@bigelectricsupply.com or call (317)-721-4702 today!