Charging an EV at Home: Everything You Need to Know

So, you’ve just bought an EV - or you’re thinking about buying an EV; and now you’re wondering ‘can your car be charged from home?’. You’re not alone. One of the primary benefits of getting an electric car is the drawcard of no longer having to go to the petrol station - so, let’s delve into what’s involved in charging your car from home.

Electric cars are steadily gaining popularity all across Australia, with an estimated 130,000 EVs now roaming the streets. Without the need for petrol, EV cars only need electrical charging for power, which is a huge draw for many drivers seeking a more environmentally conscious alternative for personal transport.

Because of the relative newness of EV technology, most EV owners are not fully aware of the requirements and considerations for charging an EV car, especially at home. If you’re thinking of charging your EV car at home or are thinking of buying one in the future, don’t worry — we’ve created this guide to help you understand everything that’s involved with charging your EV car at home, from electrical requirements to the costs involved.

Can EV cars be charged at home?
How much does it cost to charge an EV car at home?
Types of chargers for EV charging at home
Setting up your home for EV charging

Can EV Cars be Charged at Home?

Yes, EV cars can be charged at home. In short, all you need is a power outlet and an EV charger to start charging your EV car, whether it’s in your garage or driveway.

Being able to charge your EV at home offers incredible convenience. Instead of having to go to an outdoor charging station every time your car’s battery is low, you can simply have it ready to go at the start of every day just by charging it overnight. Plus, if your car’s battery dies completely, you won’t need to tow it to a power station.

The charging process is quite simple — most EV cars operate on a plug-in charging method, similar to how we charge our mobile phones. Every EV comes with chargers that work with regular 240-volt sockets in homes, meaning you can easily charge your EV using a standard household socket.

One thing worth noting is that depending on the type of EV charger you have at home, it can take longer to fully charge your EV, than at a charging station. We’ll explain more about that later on.

How Much Does it Cost to Charge an EV Car at Home?

Since you’ll be using your home’s electricity to power your EV charging, you can expect to see the cost of doing so reflected in your electricity bill.

Calculating the cost of your EV car is similar to how you’d calculate regular fuel costs — by multiplying the rate of electricity in your home by the kWh capacity of your EV’s battery, you can get a pretty accurate estimation of how much it costs to fully charge your EV.

Here’s an example to illustrate this:

On average, the cost of electricity for homes in Australia to charge an EV car is about $0.25 per kWh. Based on this rate, an EV with a 60kWh capacity battery will cost about $15 to fully charge.

You’ll also have to fork out the cost for a professional EV charger installation which can range from $750 to $1250, based on the complexity of the installation.

Types of Chargers for EV Charging at Home

There are 3 levels of EV chargers that offer increasing rates of charging.

Level 1 EV chargers are the most standard and usually come included with the purchase of an electric car. These chargers use your household socket to charge the EV, making them to most accessible type since no installation is required for use. However, they also have the slowest rate of charging: a typical charge to 80% of battery capacity can take over 24 hours, which is why most EV owners reserve level 1 EV chargers for emergencies or roadside assistance.

Level 2 EV chargers offer faster charging speeds at home but require installation of the power station. Installation will require direct wiring into your home’s electrical supply which can only be done by a qualified electrician. Level 2 charging stations make use of a 240-volt plug and can charge EV cars within four to five hours.

Level 3 EV chargers also known as direct-current fast chargers, offer the fastest rate of charging on the market. As opposed to level 2 chargers, level 3 chargers can fully charge an EV within minutes, which makes them ideal for those who need charging on demand. However, this type of charger is much more expensive than their lower-powered counterparts and they may require significant modifications to your home’s electrical system.

Setting up Your Home for EV Charging

Home charging is one of the most convenient methods of ensuring that your EV is always ready to go. Despite the upfront cost, EV home charging offers more cost savings in the long run and is something that you should consider having.

If you are looking to charge your EV at home, remember that chargers of level 2 and higher must be installed by an experienced licenced electrician. At Radiance Electrical, our team of electricians in Sydney can help you with EV charging station installations at an affordable price. Contact us for a free quote today!

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