Charging at Home vs. In Public
- Level 1 or Domestic Outlet Home Charging: Level 1 charging uses a normal grounded (three-prong) 110V/120V charging outlet, so it isn’t the fastest charging speed. However, it’s great for topping off some of the charge that you used earlier in the day! You will need more than 24 hours or a few days for a full charge.
- Level 2 or Installed Brand-Approved Domestic Charging: Usually professionally installed, Level 2 charging uses rapid (usually 240V+) chargers, so you can charge faster than the Level 1 option. Expect to get a full charge in a few hours. It’s possible to get an 80% charge in just half an hour or forty minutes with this type of charging method, but that last 20% will take longer as there’s a diminishing rate of charging speed.
How you can set up a home charger:
- Decide if you want to install a Level 1 or 2 charger. This will depend on what you’re looking for and how often you need to commute around the area.
- Clean out your garage and ensure there is enough space for the setup before the charger and EV arrives.
- Determine your electricity use with a self-assessment, so you can find out if your home can handle your charger.
- Work with an electrician about any concerns you may have. If your current power panel can’t handle EV charging, you can ask the electrician to install a dedicated 240-volt plug or add a hardwired circuit back to the power panel, which can set you back anywhere from a couple of hundred dollars to $3,000.
- Lastly, purchase your charger and get it installed!
If you’re away from home and need to charge your EV, you will likely find public charging near the Nelson House area. They’re usually in parking garages, malls, hotels, and even big-name national stores like Walgreens and Kohl’s. Chances are you will have Level 2 and Level 3 chargers to work with. Level 3 chargers offer a faster speed than Level 2, so most EVs can get a full charge in less than an hour!
