How to Find the Best Home Charger for Your Electric Vehicle

How to Find the Best Home Charger for Your Electric Vehicle

When shopping for a home charger, consider the following:

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Cable length: The charge cable's length significantly influences the location you can install the EV charging station, as well as the ease of accessing the car's charge port. It’s important to take into account that your future electric vehicle may have its charging port situated differently. Opting for longer cables, typically ranging from 20 to 25 feet, is advisable to ensure versatility and accessibility.

Cable management: Having a designated hook or mounting space for the unused cable can keep your garage tidy and prevent tripping hazards. A cluttered cable can accumulate dust and be a safety risk. Consider placing the connector holster in a location that maximizes your garage's space, especially in smaller setups. If your connector does not come with a hook, utilizing a wall-mounted garden hose holder can be an effective alternative.

Ease of plugging/unplugging: A quality coupler that promotes easy connection and disconnection from your vehicle is essential. A secure holster adds peace of mind as it prevents the coupler from loosening. Many reputable brands include a sturdy holster with their chargers, ensuring a hassle-free user experience.

Location: The chosen installation site for your charger can have a major effect on both convenience and installation costs. If wiring requires trench digging, even a small distance can substantially inflate expenses. It’s more economical, even indoors, to install your charger closer to existing electrical service. Evaluate the distances to your car's charge port from multiple angles, ensuring optimal reach to avoid awkward cable placements across the vehicle.

Size: After determining the ideal installation spot, measure your available space to ensure compatibility. A charger that is wide or protrudes significantly could disrupt space or limit placement options in your garage. A more compact unit might just fit in tight spaces, such as between garage doors.

Ability to delay charging: Many electric vehicles allow you to schedule charging times via the vehicle’s interface or an accompanying app, enabling you to take advantage of lower off-peak electricity rates. If your vehicle lacks this feature, consider a charger that includes this capacity. However, be aware that this function may eventually become unsupported if the manufacturer discontinues services.

Weatherproofing: For those without garage access, selecting a charger with weather resistance is crucial. Most manufacturers claim their products can withstand various weather conditions. If installing outdoors, look for a charger with a NEMA rating of 3, which indicates strong resistance to environmental challenges. NEMA 3-rated chargers can endure typical U.S. climate variances such as rain and snow. If extra weatherproofing is desired, consider chargers like the Grizzl-E, which boasts a NEMA 4 rating.

Three levels of public charging stations for electric cars are available. All electric vehicles can connect to either Level 1 or Level 2 stations, which provide similar performance to home-installed chargers.

Level 3 charging stations, also known as DCFCs or fast-charging stations, deliver significantly higher power than Levels 1 and 2, enabling much quicker charging. However, it's essential to confirm whether your vehicle can be charged using Level 3 options, as not all are compatible.

Charging Level Summary

Level

ChargeHub Markers

Power (kW)

Approximate Charging Time (Empty Battery)

1

1

200 km: +/- 20 hours

400 km: +/- 43 hours

2

Typically 7kW, but can vary between 3kW and 20kW

200 km: +/- 5 hours

400 km: +/- 11 hours

3 (DCFC)

Typically ranges from 50kW to more than 350kW

80%: +- 15 to 60 minutes, depending on charger power and battery capacity.

Level 1 public chargers

A Level 1 charging station connects to a standard 120-volt wall outlet, representing the charger commonly supplied with new EVs. This is the slowest option, requiring around twenty hours for a full charge of the vehicle, with longer times needed for plug-in hybrids.

Level 2 public chargers

A Level 2 public charging station serves as the counterpart to residential charging systems. Most public charging stations fall into this category, with RV plugs (14-50) also considered Level 2 chargers.

Level 3 public chargers (DCFC)

A fast-charging station, often referred to as a DCFC or Level 3 charger, represents the quickest way to charge an electric vehicle. It's crucial to note that not all EVs can utilize Level 3 charging stations.

Choosing the Right Level of Public Charging for Your Electric Car

We advise against using Level 1 charging stations, as their slow speed doesn't suit immediate charging needs. Conversely, for the quickest possible charging, Level 3 fast-charging stations are highly recommended. They facilitate significant charging in a minimal timeframe, effective primarily if your EV’s battery is under 80% charged.

Once the battery surpasses the 80% mark, charging speed decreases dramatically, aligning more closely with the rate of Level 2 stations. If your battery is already charged to 80% or higher, connecting to a Level 2 station is more cost-effective or simply proceeding to your next stop. For longer stops where time isn't pressing, Level 2 charging is a viable and economical option.

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