Do you need a special outlet for an electric car

Electric cars offer the promise of cleaner air in communities where power is generated from renewable energy sources – such as solar, wind, hydroelectric or nuclear energy – that emit no pollutants into the air. Surprisingly enough, you don't need a home charging station or a specific EV charger because plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) can be charged in a home outlet, although that is the slowest method.

EVs are also a cleaner choice than conventional cars in communities that get their electric power from burning coal or natural gas. As gasoline prices rise, electric fueling appears to be an economical alternative. A lack of public charging facilities used to be an impediment to faster adoption of electric vehicles, but that's changing. The convenience of being able to plug into a standard 110-volt wall outlet or a dedicated 240-volt outlet for an electric car makes that an easy obstacle to overcome. For most drivers, charging an electric car at home will provide all the energy necessary for daily commuting.

The 110-Volt Solution

With the proper charging cord, an electric car can be plugged into an ordinary three-prong 110-volt outlet in your garage or carport, assures Drive Clean California. Known as level one charging, most varieties of electric-only cars can be fully energized overnight. Consult an electrician before plugging in for the first time. 110-volt charging is considered level 1 charging, and adds about 3.5 to 6.5 miles of driving range per hour of charging time.

If your outlet is patched into the same circuit as your kitchen or laundry room, for instance, the additional amperage drawn may be enough to trip a breaker switch. Establishing a separate circuit for charging will ensure that your PEV is fed a full night of uninterrupted current.

240-Volt EV Charger

A 240-volt charging system – known as level 2 charging – will power a PEV about twice as quickly as a 120-volt connection. According to Energy.gov, level 2 charging adds about 10 to 60 miles of range to a vehicle per hour of charging time, making it suitable for all EVs.

Using a level 2 home charging station requires drivers to use a special cord and install special charging equipment as well as have a dedicated electrical circuit of 20 to 100 amps. This is the same service that supplies a higher voltage to large appliances such as clothes dryers and electric ranges, which many homes have accessible through their garage.

For most electric vehicles, that cuts the typical charge time to four hours. Some electric cars require a 16-hour charge at 120 volts if the battery becomes fully drained but only eight hours at 240 volts. Home outlets for 240-volt charging should be wired to their own independent circuit.

The Solar Solution

Installing photovoltaic solar panels on the roof of your garage gives you a free source of energy to charge your electric vehicle. Solar and wind power produce clean energy that can be fed to a 120-volt outlet, which means your electric car can be operated on power that is completely emission-free. While solar panels come with a high upfront expense, those costs can be offset by a variety of federal, state and regional subsidies.

Cost-Saving Incentives

States and municipalities have some powerful incentives for subsidizing home charging of electric vehicles. For instance, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, according to Drive Clean California, offers up to a $1,500 rebate to electric car owners who purchase a used electric vehicle on or after September 1, 2019. Encouraging the use of non-polluting PEVs lets communities reduce dangerous levels of smog and helps those communities comply with EPA-mandated air quality standards.

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• Do electric cars need 220 volt outlets?

I’m thinking of getting an electric car, but I want to make sure I won’t have to overhaul my entire electric system in my garage first. Do electric cars need 220 volt outlets?

Great question! An electric car doesn’t require a 220 volt outlet to charge. It will charge with a regular outlet. However, it will charge very slowly.

Depending on the model of electric car you have, the manufacturer calls for different voltages to be used. A standard house charger (120 volts) will charge an electric vehicle, albeit slowly, taking anywhere from 6-24 hours.

This may not be as big a concern if you have a vehicle with longer range like the 2022 Volvo XC40 Recharge.

Installing a 220 volt charger in your home will let you charge your vehicle quickly. Depending on the size of the battery and how charged it is when you start, it can take anywhere from 3 to 6 hours to charge.

This would let you charge your vehicle overnight and have a full charge the next day. If you’re looking at getting an in-home electric vehicle charger, this electric car charger can pull double duty, powering your home in the event of a blackout.

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