Home EV Charging

EVs generally cost more upfront than gasoline or diesel-powered vehicles due to battery technology and production costs. However, long-term savings from lower fuel and maintenance expenses can help offset the initial investment. Additionally, battery costs are declining rapidly, and there will be a day when electric vehicle prices will be in alignment with or better than gasoline-powered vehicles.

Installing a home charger requires a dedicated parking spot or garage. Home EV chargers can cost between $500 to $1000. If the home electrical panel has space to add another circuit breaker, there should be minimal installation costs to add the EV charger circuit. If there is no space in the panel, some homeowners may need to upgrade their home electrical panel or add a sub-panel. Replacing the panel can cost $2000-$6000. If the home has a 100A panel, the homeowner will likely need to replace the panel and upgrade the service from the utility, which can cost an additional $1000-$3000, and even more if the incoming grid connection is underground. To avoid this, it’s possible to add a smart panel, like the ABB ReliaHome™ Smart Panel, which provides intelligent monitoring and control of all load devices to prevent overloading of the home electrical panel. The installation of this device can cost $3000-$4000 (hardware + installation).

Workplace charging can be a convenient alternative. The EV chargers typically located at office buildings are Level 2 AC Chargers, which means to receive a significant charge, the vehicle will need to be connected for 6-8 hours. For those drivers who do not have access to home or workplace charging, public charging is often an available alternative. Many shopping areas and restaurants offer EV charging from 50-150kW, which can enable a significant charge in 30 minutes to 2 hours. There are also dedicated public charging stations which typically contain high-speed EV chargers, up to 400kW. These chargers can add significant range in 10-30 minutes.

The availability of public charging stations varies by region. Urban areas tend to have more options, while rural and suburban areas may have fewer charging stations. The Department of Transportation has set a target to have charging available every 50 miles along highways. The maximum distance between DC fast chargers is 259 miles on I-70 between Illinois and Ohio. The 2nd longest distance is 137 miles in Arizona on Route 66.

Long-distance travel with an EV requires a little more preparation, but is very doable with today’s infrastructure. EV trip apps, such as A Better Routeplanner (ABRP) can identify an optimized route. Charging can be coupled with normal activities, such as meals or stopping at a hotel overnight. It’s important to understand the EV’s real-world range and to have some flexibility. It’s recommended to build some buffer time into your trip and not to cut your next charging stop too close to running out of charge.

The EV charging process takes longer than refueling a gas car; however, charging can be completed at locations that people frequent in their normal routines. Gas refueling can only be completed at gas stations, whereas EV charging can be completed at home, where vehicles are parked a significant amount of time each day. Depending on availability, charging can also be completed at the workplace, shopping areas, or restaurants, where vehicles are parked for a period of time anyway.

While there are fewer EV models than gasoline-powered vehicles on the market today, over 60+ electric vehicle models are available and cover all passenger car sizes, including pick-up trucks.

Typically, home chargers require a 40-60A circuit breaker. It may also be possible to use a smaller breaker by reducing the maximum possible current load by adjusting the settings on the EV home charger.

Most Level 2 home chargers have the option to be either hardwired or plug-in. Plug-in versions will be limited to 40A and use a 240V plug. This is a good solution if flexibility is needed to relocate the charger. EV chargers that are hardwired will be more permanent and are often required for outdoor locations.

Most multi-vehicle homes will be able to charge their EVs with a single charger by alternating charging times for each vehicle. To support this, installing the charger in a location that can reach multiple parking spots would be recommended. Alternatively, if multiple level 2 home chargers are anticipated in the future, it would be recommended to oversize the electrical conduit to support additional cabling.