Charging-Time Calculator

How long does it take to charge an EV at home?

Level 1 is a standard 120V outlet and adds roughly 3 to 5 miles of range an hour. Level 2 is 240V, through a wallbox or a plug such as a NEMA 14-50. The car's onboard AC charger sets the speed, and the wallbox cannot push past it.

To estimate a home session, pick the car and then type its AC limit into the average charging power field. Of the 46 current models with an AC rating, 37 accept 11 or 11.5 kW. The Nissan Leaf accepts 7 kW, and the GMC Hummer EV, Chevrolet Silverado EV, GMC Sierra EV and Lucid Gravity accept 19 kW. A Leaf going from 10% to 80% on its 75 kWh pack adds about 52 kWh, which is roughly 7 hours at 7.2 kW before charging losses.

How much does an overnight charge cost?

A 40-mile day in a Tesla Model Y (250 Wh/mi) uses about 10 kWh at the wheels. With 10 to 15 percent lost in AC charging, the wall supplies 11 to 11.5 kWh, which is about an hour at 11 kW and roughly $2 at $0.17 per kWh. The cost calculator runs the same math over a year.

What size circuit do I need for a home charger?

The electrical code limits continuous loads to 80 percent of the breaker rating. A 40-amp circuit gives 7.7 kW, a 60-amp circuit gives 11.5 kW and a 100-amp circuit gives 19.2 kW. Those match the common car limits above. Buying a bigger circuit than the car's AC rating adds cost and no speed.

What should I ask an electrician?

Ask for a load calculation on your panel, since homes with 100A or 125A service can need a panel upgrade, often the biggest cost in the job. Ask how far the run is from the panel to the parking spot, whether an outdoor unit needs a NEMA 3R enclosure, and who pulls the permit and arranges inspection. Get two quotes, and give each one your car's AC limit so the circuit is sized to it.