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Typically, these circuits are between 20 and 100 amps. Again, because P(power) = I(current) * V(voltage), how much power can be drawn from an outlet on one 240V circuit depends on how many amps of current that circuit is configured to support. Homes are generally wired to support at least a few 240V devices, like clothes dryers, ovens, cooktops, and water heaters, which require more than 1.5 kW. All EVs have an onboard charger, where the required conversion from AC to DC happens for L1 and L2 charging, and the maximum power that this charger can deliver to the battery ranges by car. Beyond that, how much power an EV can use varies. Level 2 charging is similar to Level 1, but instead of connecting to a 120V circuit, the EV connects to a 208-240V circuit that supports a higher current and delivers more power. But it won’t be possible for everyone to rely on such a slow charger. Plugging in after arriving back home would require about seven hours to charge fully.īottom line on L1 charging: A Level 1 charger can provide up to roughly twice the energy required to cover the average commute in the U.S. With a reasonably efficient car like a Tesla Model 3 or Lucid Air, expect to consume energy at a rate of around 250 Wh/mile. And Level 1 charging is best used by EV owners with consistent and predictable driving patterns within the parameters of the vehicle’s range and performance.įor example, assume a 40-mile round-trip daily commute, leaving the house at 8 a.m. “Most people” obviously aren’t all people.

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Two days is too long, but given the limited miles most people drive daily, access to overnight charging allows average drivers to keep their vehicles sufficiently charged using a Level 1 charger.

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Assuming a capacity of 75 kWh, the time to charge from completely empty to totally full can be calculated as follows: It’s the energy capacity of the EV’s battery in kWh divided by the power the charger delivers in kW.

The math for how long a car takes to charge is simple at low rates like this. To leave a bit of extra safety margin, companies generally cap consumer devices around 1500 watts (1.5 kW), which is a typical rating for any significant heating devices like space heaters, kettles, and hair dryers.

In the U.S., the most common amperage allowed on a 120V circuit is 15 amps, which translates to 1800 watts or 1.8 kW of power. The maximum power obtainable from an outlet is the voltage multiplied by the maximum electrical current, measured in amps, that won’t trip the circuit breaker: P(power) = I(current) * V(voltage). All EVs come with the required cables, so assuming one has electrical service (according to the World Bank, that’s 100 percent of the United States population), there’s no additional upfront cost. Level 1 charging is plugging a car directly into a standard 120V wall outlet.