Understanding Home Charging Stations

With a home charging station, electric car charging is effortless. Find out everything you need to know about this simple way to keep your EV topped off.

The Easiest Way to Keep an EV Charged

One of the top concerns cited by drivers who are nervous about switching to electric vehicles is a potential lack of public charging infrastructure. While that’s improving by leaps and bounds daily, there’s also a more straightforward solution.

For EV drivers who install a home charging station, electric car charging at public stations may not even be necessary. Instead, owners can charge at home confidently to keep their vehicles ready for commuting, running errands, and driving around town.

Types of Home Charging Stations

Home charging stations for electric cars are just what they sound like. These specialty devices allow drivers to plug in when they get home and then forget about their EVs until the next time they leave for work.

There are three types of home charging stations appropriate for home use. Level 1 chargers are suitable for drivers who put 20 miles daily or less on their EVs. They plug into any 120V wall outlet and require no advanced electrical work but are best suited for smaller charges.

Level 2 plug-in chargers use 240V power to get EV batteries back to a full charge faster. The exact charging time varies by vehicle. However, this solution allows even large vehicles like the F-150 Lightning to charge fully in less than 24 hours.

Level 2 wired-in chargers offer an even faster 240V home recharging option. They must be permanently hard-wired to a home’s electrical system by a certified electrician, but drivers who use their vehicles often find it’s worth the investment. The same F-150 Lightning can charge in nine hours with a wired-in charger.

What About Fast Chargers?

When drivers use DC fast charging stations in public locations, they’re using level 3 chargers. These may be the fastest charging solution, but they’re inappropriate for residential use since they use DC rather than AC power.

EV owners should try to use a home charging station for electric cars to meet the majority of their charging needs and use DC fast chargers only occasionally.

Which Home Charging Station Electric Car Owners Should Use

The home charging station electric car owners should use depends on their needs and living situations. For those who rarely drive more than 20 miles per day, a level 1 charger may be sufficient.

People renting their homes who need more power for faster charging opt for level 2 mobile charging solutions. Those who own their homes can get the very most out of every charging hour and take advantage of additional features like home backup power should go for wired-in level 2 chargers.

When there’s doubt about which type of home charging station electric car owners and their families need, the best solution is to ask an EV dealer. The same dealership that sells buyers new electric vehicles can also help them decide which charging station will best suit their needs.