Everything you need to know about charging your EV at home

No longer a rarity on our roadways, electric cars are here to stay. In fact, some long-term forecasts suggest that electric vehicles will account for nearly 30 percent of new car sales in the United States by 2030. If you’ve got your eye on an EV but aren’t sure about the ins and outs of charging it at home, here's what you need to know. 

Consider your daily driving habits before you buy

Do you have a long commute? Are you a frequent weekend road tripper or do you only use your car for short-distance errands? Mileage matters for all vehicles, but this is particularly true for EVs. With a gas-powered car, you can let your fuel drop to a low level because a gas station is likely nearby. Public charging stations are less common, meaning that you run the risk of running out of charge if you aren’t diligent about topping off your car’s battery at home.  

Fortunately, electric cars can run between 150 and 300 miles on a single charge, which should be enough for your daily driving needs. Since none of us are perfect, it’s still a good idea to find the public charging stations along your most frequently driven routes if you ever need to plug in away from home. The availability of these charging stations, as well as the distance of your commute, will likely play a major role in your EV of choice. For example, cars like the 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6 or the Tesla Model X have ranges of 361 miles and 348 miles respectively, which may work for those who need to drive longer distances. Meanwhile, the 2023 Mini Cooper SE or Mazda MX-30’s 100-mile ranges may be a better fit for low-mileage drivers. View range estimates for all EVs available in the US in 2024 here. 

Knowing your mileage needs and the availability of charging stations can go a long way to helping you choose the right EV.  

Know the difference between Level 1 and Level 2 chargers

Just as your car’s driving range matters, so does the kind of charger you have. Most new EVs come with a Level 1 charger, which is a 120-volt-compatible unit that can plug into most standard electrical outlets. Although you don’t need to do any electrical rewiring to charge your car with a Level 1 charger, it can take up to 20 hours to charge about 120 miles. This means that plugging in your EV overnight will not fully charge your car, which is something to keep in mind if you have a longer commute.  

If you need a faster charging solution, invest in a Level 2 charger. Often sold separately, these kinds of chargers provide about 180 miles of range in an eight-hour overnight charging period. Beyond the more efficient charging, the main difference between Level 1 and Level 2 chargers is the outlet required. A Level 2 charger needs a 240-volt outlet to function. These outlets are often used for electric clothes dryers and other high-voltage appliances. Having a 240-volt outlet near where you park your car will make it feasible to have a Level 2 charger, which is recommended if you want to get the most out of your EV for daily driving.  

You may need to install a higher voltage outlet for a Level 2 charger

Although you can plug in your Level 1 charger in most outlets, you’ll likely find the faster charging you’ll get from a Level 2 charger too convenient to overlook. If you decide to get a Level 2 charger, you’ll need the right outlet to accommodate it. NEMA 14-30, NEMA 14-50 and NEMA 6-50 are the most popular types of 240-volt outlets. Since they have different connections, you need to ensure that the charger you buy matches the outlet you already have or are planning on installing.   

Beyond outlet shapes and connections, Level 2 chargers don’t work with a 120-volt outlet because the strength of the electrical current isn’t enough to efficiently power the charger. As such, converting the outlet from a 120 volt to a 240 volt may not work given the need for different electrical wiring and changes to your breaker box to account for the increased flow of electricity.  

For the best (and safest) result, hire a licensed electrician to install a 240-volt outlet in your garage. This may cost between $250 and $800, according to Forbes. What you pay may depend on your home’s existing wiring, but the installation process typically includes updates to your wiring, breaker and any necessary permitting to ensure the work meets safety standards and complies with your city or state’s building codes. 

You may qualify for Federal and state incentives for EV purchases that can offset the cost of installing a Level 2 charger. You can learn more about the nationwide incentives and their qualifications on the Internal Revenue Service’s website.  

The location of your charging station matters 

Another aspect of home EV charging that you need to account for is where you need to install your charging station. If you have a Level 1 charger, you need to be able to park close enough to an outlet for your cord to reach your EV. Opt for a Level 2 charger and you’ll need to decide where you are going to have your new 240-volt outlet installed. Many Level 2 chargers are rated for indoor and outdoor use, so your main points of consideration will be:  

• The layout of your home and where you normally park your car 

• Your home’s existing electrical wiring 

• The distance from where you would like the charging station installed to your breaker box. The installation may be more expensive the farther away it is 

• The length of cord needed from the charging station to your ideal parking location  

Your electrician may be able to help you identify the optimal location for your charging station. If you primarily rely on street parking, you likely won’t be able to have your own dedicated charging station. In that case, consider purchasing an EV with a higher mileage range and plan to charge it consistently so you never run out of charge.

Following the 80/20 rule may help your EV battery’s longevity

According to the U.S. News & World Report, EV batteries are expected to last between 100,000 and 200,000 miles. Yet the rate of battery degradation isn’t always linear, as such factors as temperature, cycles and time can impact battery performance. One of the ways you can extend your EV battery’s life is by keeping the charge between 20 and 80 percent. As an article on the Union of Concerned Scientists says, “storing a lithium battery for long periods at or near its full capacity or close to empty will also gradually reduce its maximum storage potential.” Your mileage will vary by manufacturer but following the 80/20 rule may help protect the life of your EV’s battery.

An EV Charging electricity plan can lower your electricity bill 

Whether we’re driving to work or running errands, most of us drive during the day. Making sure your battery is charged for when you typically get behind the wheel is key, which is why it’s often best to charge your EV at night. Need more convincing? According to the Texas Department of Transportation, the optimal time to charge your EV is between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. because that’s when wind power peaks and there is more capacity in the statewide grid.  

To get the most out of charging your EV at night, make the switch to the Shell Energy EV Charging plan. Set your home charger to run from midnight through 3 a.m. and you’ll pay zero energy charges every night throughout your contract term. Additionally, our plan powers your home with electricity backed by 100 percent Renewable Energy Credits. With Shell Energy, you can drive more sustainably as you support a cleaner energy future for us all.