How to Charge an EV at Home

EV drivers experience immense satisfaction with the convenience of at-home charging. Most owners juice up their vehicle at home using a Level 1 or Level 2 charging station. Learn how to charge the car at home to maximize the ease and luxury of EV ownership.

EVs can be charged in numerous locations, such as the workplace, retail stores, and at home—including apartments, family homes, garages, and even private parking spaces. More than 80 percent of EV owners opt to charge at home for the benefits of efficiency and affordability.

How do drivers charge at home using a Level 1 charger?

Charging an EV at home is a simple process. A household outlet and the EV plug are all a driver needs to charge using a Level 1 charger. The Level 1 charging station comes with the vehicle. As a result, all EV owners have access to a Level 1 charger.

Since most homes are built with a power outlet, the EV owner doesn’t bear any extra expense associated with installing a Level 1 charging station. The Level 1 charging station is a 120-volt plug. Drivers who use this charger cannot use the plug for other appliances.

Experienced EV owners are aware that charging at home using a Level 1 charger is straightforward—however, it takes over 24 hours to deliver an optimal charge of 80 percent. Due to the slowness of the charge, using a Level 1 charger is reserved for emergencies or roadside troubleshooting.

How do drivers charge at home using a Level 2 charger?

A faster charge can be obtained by installing a Level 2 charging station in the home garage, on the side of the house or in a private parking lot. Installation requires a licensed electrician since it is wired directly into the home’s electric supply.

Once equipped with a Level 2 charging station, the EV owner connects the plug to the outlet or electrical panel. Within 4 to 5 hours, the Level 2 charging station delivers a superb battery charge of 80 percent at a charging speed of 45 km per hour for all-electric vehicles.

What are the extra features offered in Level 2 chargers?

Level 2 chargers are expedient, easy to use, and practical. Plus, they come with safety features and status signals for extra confidence. Drivers are advised to purchase safety-certified equipment that comes with the ENERGY STAR label and is tested by nationally recognized labs.

Smart Level 2 chargers are also available. These chargers allow EV drivers to view their charging history and schedule charging sessions. Advanced Level 2 chargers come with helpful features, such as charging timers, user interface systems, data collection, and enhanced displays for added convenience.

How often should drivers charge their EV?

Charging an EV, like charging a phone, can be done as often as necessary. Most drivers do not need to charge their vehicle every day. However, out of habit, many plug in every time they exit their vehicle at home. This gives them flexibility in the event of unexpected trips.

When should drivers charge their EV?

Drivers who make the most use of the financial savings of EV ownership charge at night. Off-peak electricity rates are generally lower as demand is minimal. Charge the EV between 12 a.m. and 3 p.m. for the lowest energy costs; avoid the peak hours of 3 p.m. to 12 a.m.

Furthermore, charging at night ensures that the vehicle’s battery is full by morning. EVs are designed with an added convenience: unplugging the charger is unnecessary since charging stops automatically once the battery is full. Charging doesn’t interrupt the EV owner’s night.

What is the ideal charging limit?

Using the EV infotainment system, set a charging limit as recommended by the manufacturer. Charge no greater than 80 percent, as charging rates slow down dramatically after this point. Plus, keeping the battery under 100 percent promotes the long-term health of the vehicle.

How do EV drivers manage the energy load?

Using an at-home charger can potentially overload the home’s electrical system. Avoid this issue by ensuring the Level 2 charger is equipped with Smart Charging and demand-side management (DSM) features. Smart Charging allows owners to control how much energy the EV uses.

Can multiple EVs be charged at home?

The answer is yes; several EVs can be charged using at-home chargers. The key to preventing an overload of the electrical panel is to use Smart Charging features that control how power is distributed among the EVs being charged. More vehicles mean they each charge at a lower power output.

Whether you own one or multiple EVs, you’ll need an at-home Level 2 charger to experience the myriad of benefits, from cost savings to reliability. Nu-Trend offers quality EV charging station installation services; we’ll install a Level 2 charger at your home or a Level 3 charger at your business.

Our certified electricians first inspect your home’s electrical system to ensure it can support the voltage required of a Level 2 charger. If changes are necessary, our experts possess the skill to make adjustments so it can safely accommodate the new charging station.

Homeowners can count on us to handle the installation seamlessly from start to finish. Our experienced electricians obtain the necessary permits, install the Level 2 EV charging station, clean up, and perform a final inspection. A typical Level 2 charger installation takes under a day.

Nu-Trend installs Level 2 chargers that are compatible with numerous EV makes and models. We service models, such as Toyota, Nissan, and Hyundai. Compatible models also include Ford, BMW, and Volkswagen. Our Level 2 chargers, however, are incompatible with Tesla EVs.

An EV home charger is the solution to avoiding long waits at public charging stations and their exorbitant fees. Trust Nu-Trend to install your Level 2 charger in Chicago, Illinois. We take pride in our exceptional workmanship and dedicated customer service. Call (847) 882-1888 to schedule an initial on-site inspection.