Charging at home is the cheapest and easiest way to run an electric vehicle. This guide covers what you need to know before booking an installation.
Level 1 vs Level 2
Level 1 is the cord that comes with the car, plugged into a normal 120 volt outlet. It adds roughly 3 to 5 miles of range per hour. That works for short commutes and plug-in hybrids, and not for much else.
Level 2 runs on 240 volts and adds about 25 to 40 miles of range per hour, enough to refill most batteries overnight. This is what people mean by a home EV charging station.
What size circuit?
EV charging is a continuous load, so the charger may draw only 80 percent of the circuit's rating:
- 40 amp circuit: 32 amps of charging, around 7.7 kW
- 50 amp circuit: 40 amps, around 9.6 kW
- 60 amp circuit: 48 amps, around 11.5 kW, the maximum for a Tesla Wall Connector
Bigger isn't always better. Many cars can't accept more than 32 or 40 amps on AC, and a smaller circuit is easier on the panel.
Hardwired or plug-in
A NEMA 14-50 outlet lets you plug in a portable charger and take it with you. A hardwired unit such as the Tesla Wall Connector is tidier, better outdoors and allows the full 48 amps. Both need a dedicated circuit.
Will my panel cope?
This is the question that decides the job. A home with 200 amp service usually has room. A 100 amp home with electric cooking and air conditioning may not. Your options are:
- A lower charging rate that fits the spare capacity
- A load management device that pauses charging when the house is busy
- An electrical panel upgrade to 200 amps
What drives cost
Distance from the panel to the parking spot matters most. A charger on the other side of the wall from the panel is a short job. A detached garage with a trench is a bigger one; see garage electrical installation.
Charging in New Mexico heat and cold
Outdoor chargers should be rated for it and mounted out of direct afternoon sun where possible. In the northern mountains, a garage install keeps cables flexible in winter.
We handle EV charger installation across the state, including Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Las Cruces and Los Alamos.