Answer
May 06, 2020 - 08:31 AM
Homeowners have 2 choices of charging options: Level I attaches to a 120 volt 15 to 20 amp outlet and charges slower than a Level II charger, which requires a dedicated 240 volt 40 amp circuit.
The Level I charges your car at a rate of ~4 miles/hour, so if you have 12 hours to charge, and only need to charge for a 50 mile trip per day, this will work out. You do need to have a weather protected outlet outside that is near to your car (such as on a porch). If you don’t have such an outlet outside, or of sufficient amperage, you will need to have an electrician install one. The electrician will also make sure whether your current house service is adequate.
The Level II charges at a rate of 10-15 miles per hour, but requires a special dedicated charging port that is powered by a 240 volt, 40 amp circuit. Thus, you will need to determine if your house has 240 volt service and has sufficient total capacity (typically 100 amp service). When do you need this faster charging rate? If you want faster charging rates (6 hours), or you have more than 1 EV or Plug-in Hybrid at your house that need to be charged overnight. The Level II charger will cost between $500-$700 plus the installation cost. The electrician will also make sure whether your current service capacity is adequate.
