Electrical Vehicle Chargers Explained | Ask This Old House

In this video, This Old House master electrician Heath Eastman teaches host Kevin O’Connor everything he (or anyone else) needs to know about choosing an electric vehicle charger for their home.

Master electrician Heath Eastman teaches host Kevin O’Connor all about the different types of electric vehicle chargers. Heath explains Level 1, 2, and 3 chargers, how they work, and who they’re suited for. He even goes over some of the installation requirements for each type of charger, and how many miles of charging the owner can expect. He even puts to rest some safety concerns on the topic.

Electric Vehicles Need Chargers
Electric vehicles run on power stored in their batteries. As they drive the power depletes, and most vehicle owners use overnight charging to boost their stores. To do so, they use an electric vehicle charger which plugs into the vehicle and transfers power from the energy grid to the vehicle. By morning, the owner unplugs the vehicle, wraps the cord, and goes about their day.

There are Different Types of Chargers
There are three types of vehicle chargers; Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3. Level 1 and Level 2 are the most common for homeowners, while Level 3 are the rapid charging models found at gas stations, shopping centers, and other public places.

Level 1 Chargers
Level 1 electrical vehicle chargers plug into a standard 120-volt outlet in a home or garage, and then stretch to the vehicle’s charging port. These chargers typically come with the vehicle and can boost the battery life up to 2 to 3 miles per hour of charge.

For folks who only drive locally, this may be all they need, as overnight charging could yield around 20 to 30 miles of charging. For folks who have longer commutes, these chargers are insufficient, though they should keep one in their vehicle at all times.

Level 2 Chargers
Level 2 chargers are much heavier duty. These chargers require 240-volt electricity on a 50-amp circuit, similar to an electric stove or dryer. An electrician will have to come to the home, assess whether the panel needs to be upgraded or not, and install the wall-mounted charger.

Level 2 chargers are capable of charging a vehicle around 25 to 30 miles per hour of charging time. These chargers are the most common home-based charging stations as they can typically fill an electric vehicle’s battery stores completely overnight.

Most Level 2 Installations Require a Panel Upgrade
Before bringing an electric vehicle home, have an electrician assess the home’s panel to determine whether it can handle a Level 2 charger. One-hundred-amp panels with all gas appliances may be okay, but in most cases, anything less than a 200-amp panel requires a service upgrade—an additional cost the homeowners need to consider.

Where to find it?
Heath and Kevin breakdown the basics of EV Chargers and the different levels of chargers available to electric car owners.

Heath explains that there are 3 levels of chargers available, however level 1 and level 2 are the main options available to the average homeowner. Heath then breaks down each levels necessity and benefits. Then Heath explains where these EV Chargers should be located and how they work. He explains the common locations such as inside garages, but outdoor locations can be just as safe. He also explains the proper installation and requirements for an EV Charger port. Kevin gets clarifications on how often one should charge their car, and when it’s necessary to upgrade ones service from 100 to 200 amps.

About Ask This Old House TV:
From the makers of This Old House, America’s first and most trusted home improvement show, Ask This Old House answers the steady stream of home improvement questions asked by viewers across the United States. Covering topics from landscaping to electrical to HVAC and plumbing to painting and more. Ask This Old House features the experts from This Old House, including general contractor Tom Silva, plumbing and heating expert Richard Trethewey, landscape contractor Jenn Nawada, master carpenter Norm Abram, and host Kevin O’Connor. ASK This Old House helps you protect and preserve your greatest investment—your home.

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Electrical Vehicle Chargers Explained | Ask This Old House

[cheeseisgreat]

The best part of owning an EV is that we can now fill up our cars at home and start the day with a full “tank” every single day. Glad to see y’all feature these as **so many** people are confused about the current state of EV tech.

[alec]

If you have an all electric home (water heater, range, dryer) their are smart charge systems that will work for you. Basically it uses the available power from your panel. So if you get home plug in the car and turn on the stove the charger will draw less power so you don't trip your main breaker. Once you go to bed though and the oven and dryer are off it'll ramp up and take advantage of the available power.

[lawrencemaroun]

It's important to also mention that you can get a level 2 charger that installs on a 20a 240v circuit. That's much more likely to "fit" on a 100a service and still charges 3x as fast as level 1 (part of the gain come from L2 charging being more efficient than L1 charging).

[jstar]

My Tesla charger was $400 the outlet and breaker along with the wire cost me $70. I installed it myself for free three years ago and all has been good. I spend between $60 to $80 a month charging my car as the Tesla app calculates it based on my .12 a KW utility charge. I have a 85% charge every morning ready to go. Not good to fully charge unless your going on a trip as soon as its full. Also since I typically drive about 100 miles a day give or take I set up the app to charge at 20 amps so its not pulling a ton of power. I set it up to be ready by 8 am so it usually doesn't even start charging until 2 or 3 in the morning to be full and ready at 8.

[ftorresgamez]

While my house was being built, I asked the company we bought the lot and design from to bring over and install a 220A receptacle in the garage because we were thinking of buying an electric car; the contractor installed a 14-50R receptacle just like in the demonstration mockup that Heath was showing Kevin. So if you're thinking of buying a new house and you have a chance to do it, I strongly recommend you ask for a 220V outlet in your new garage even if you don't plan to buy an EV yet.

[reffingwiththesappers]

I have a Bolt EV and installed exactly this model charger with a 40 amp breaker-32 amp continuous (as that is the most my car can take). After 1 year the breaker gave out due to the heavy continuous pull. I replaced the breaker but then changed the settings on my ChargePoint to be a 30 Amp max setting and I haven’t had any problems since. Sure I now add 20 miles per hrs instead of 27 but that is still way more than enough to charge what I need. It will still charge to full overnight on the rare cases I ever drain it all the way in a day.

[barney]

I think it’s important to note that the car itself is usually capable of timing the charge and shutting it off at a particular battery level. There’s often no need for a more expensive charger with the features. You are duplicating.

[davidew]

Anyone who lives in a condo or apartment where charging or power isn't easy to get near your parking spots need to have your landlord look into installing EV Chargers. There are incentives for multifamily properties to install chargers. It's also a nice amenity to provide when they put units on the market.

[randycarter]

The best description for the J1772 charge cords shown is a "Smart safety switch."

[HawkJ]

Thanks This Old House for putting this out.

[MarkNobleUS]

2:02 "that would be behind your stove, POTENTIALLY" 😂

[raitchison]

When I bought my Chevy Bolt for the first few months I relied on the L1 charger that came with my car, no problem with my ~25 mile daily commute.

Eventually I did install an L2 charger to give me the option to charge faster if I needed to and to get additional features and reporting from my "smart" EVSE (JuiceBox Pro).

In my case since I have a detached garage I was only able to pull a 40A total circuit without trenching and concrete work so even though my EVSE can charge at up to 40A I have to limit it to 32A which is not really a limitation since my car can only charge at 32A anyways (though newer EVs frequently charge at 40A or more). Most EVSEs allow for your to specify a lower maximum current in case there are limitations on your electrical service.

[roccosperanza]

I had a 100 amp service and self installed my Tesla Wall Connector with a 60 amp breaker. All Electric appliances and heat and had no issues. I did purposely set my charge rate to 32 amp and charges at 30 mph on my Model 3, but have the option to charge at 48 amp should I need it.

[mgdubya]

I love my Tesla Model Y. We've been road tripping like crazy and haven't had any range issues. I definitely recommend one.

[hawks]

Thank you SO much for mentioning you can use a standard outlet for electric vehicles. Alot of people think they need special outlets just for short commutes and it turns them off. In reality you can get buy with just a standard plug day to day and go to quick chargers if you need a longer trip

[cbalmac]

Technically, the charger is in the vehicle. The vehicle can only charge at the speed the onboard charger can handle. The cable between the receptacle and vehicle is the Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment or EVSE (not a charger).

[tjtampa]

Really interesting and timely. Thanks. 👍

[richardland]

Interestingly, in the UK when we install what is a 7 kW 32 amp charger. We also install a clamp meter on the incoming supply. This allows a charger to balance a load and reduce a load to the car if this other electrical drawers on the system.

[Snarkbar]

I love Kevin's "everyman with kids" questions

[TrendyStone]

I fought a Tesla 3 years ago as a daily commuter. Put 70, 000 miles on it already. Installed the Tesla Wall Connector in my garage for charging. Very easy project. We love the car so much we bought a second for my wife and I installed a second Wall Connector which power shares the same 60 amp breaker. Fantastic ownership experience. Now the F-150 just sits in the driveway looking lonely…waiting for a chance to pull the boat.