Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming increasingly popular as more environmentally friendly alternatives to gas-powered cars. A key consideration for EV owners is how and where to charge their vehicles. The two main options are charging at home by installing a home charger, or charging at a public charging station. There are pros and cons to both options, so deciding between home and public charging depends on individual circumstances and preferences.
Home Charging Overview
Home charging involves installing an EV charging station, also known as electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE), at your house. There are several levels of home chargers:
- Level 1: Plugs into a regular 120V household outlet. Provides 2-5 miles of range per hour of charging.
- Level 2: Requires installation of a 240V outlet, like those used for large appliances. Provides 10-20 miles per hour of charging.
- DC Fast Charger: Requires high-powered 480V input. Can provide 60-100 miles of range in 20 minutes. Very expensive so not practical for home use.
Level 1 chargers come standard with most EVs, but a Level 2 charger is recommended for home charging since it can fully recharge an EV overnight. Level 2 installation costs $500-$800 on average, with potential added costs if electrical upgrades are needed.
The main benefits of home charging include:
- Convenience – Charge your EV any time of day without leaving home
- Faster charging – Level 2 home chargers provide faster fueling than public Level 2 chargers
- Cost savings – Home electricity rates are cheaper than public charging fees
- Full control – You can ensure your EV is fully charged every day
Public Charging Station Overview
Public EV charging stations are available at locations like parking garages, shopping centers, restaurants, hotels, and highway rest stops. There are three levels of public chargers:
- Level 1: Provides 2-5 miles of range per hour of charging. Fee is usually $1-2 per hour.
- Level 2: Provides 10-20 miles per hour of charging. Fee is usually $1-3 per hour.
- DC Fast Charger: Can provide 60-100 miles in 20-30 minutes. Fee is usually 30-50 cents per minute.
The number of public charging stations is rapidly increasing in the US and Canada. As of 2021, there are over 43,000 public EV charging stations in the US, and over 5,000 in Canada.
The main benefits of public charging include:
- No installation required – Just park and charge
- Charging on the go – Convenient for long trips and when away from home
- Emergency charging – If you run low, can provide range to get home
- Incentives – Some workplaces/municipalities offer free public charging
Comparing Home and Public Charging
When deciding between home and public charging, there are several factors to consider:
Convenience
Home charging is extremely convenient since you can plug in whenever it’s convenient and wake up to a full “tank” every morning. With public charging, you may need to go out of your way to find a station and wait for an available charger during peak times. However, public charging enables charging when away from home.
Charging Speed
Home Level 2 chargers provide faster fueling than public Level 2 chargers. Home L2 stations deliver up to 9.6 kW of power, while public L2 is limited to 6.6 kW (occasionally up to 7.2 kW). This means home L2 can provide approximately 1.5x the charging speed. Home charging overnight can easily provide a full charge, while public L2 may require several hours.
Cost
Home charging is significantly cheaper than public charging. The average residential electricity rate is around 15 cents per kWh, compared to public Level 2 charging fees of $1-3 per hour. Charging overnight at home costs just a few dollars, versus $10-15 at a public station. DC fast charging can cost up to 50 cents per minute, making it extremely expensive for frequent use.
Availability
For those without access to home charging, public charging may be the only option. Renters, apartment/condo residents, and people with street parking may not be able to install a home charger. Those with workplace charging and abundant public stations can get by with minimal home charging.
Charge Monitoring/Control
With home charging, you have full control and can monitor the charging status through an app or dashboard. Public charging provides little visibility or control beyond starting/stopping the session.
Future-Proofing
Public charging infrastructure is still expanding. Investing in a home charger future-proofs your EV investment for potentially changing public charging availability and fees. With a home charger, you aren’t entirely dependent on the public charging network.
Electricity Supply and Costs
In some areas, home electricity rates may be lower than public charging fees, making home charging more affordable. However, installing a high-powered Level 2 charger can potentially increase your home electricity demand significantly, up to doubling your home’s energy usage. For some homes, electrical upgrades may be required to support a Level 2 charger, adding to installation costs. Carefully evaluating your home’s electrical capacity is important.
Home Charging Recommendations
For most EV owners, installing a Level 2 home charger is recommended if possible. The convenience, speed, control and cost savings of home charging make it an ideal solution.
If you have a detached house, installing a Level 2 charger is likely straightforward. For townhouses, apartments or condos, you may need to request approval and installation assistance from building management. Some key home charging recommendations:
- Hire a qualified electrician to evaluate your home’s electrical capacity and install the outlet to manufacturer and code specifications.
- Install the charger in a location near where the EV will be parked overnight and with proper clearance around the space.
- Consider a smart Level 2 charger ($500-$700) that allows app control, scheduling, and energy usage tracking.
- Check with your local utility for potential rebates or incentives to offset installation costs.
- Set your EV to start charging in the overnight hours to take advantage of lower electricity rates if offered by your utility.
Leveraging Both Home and Public Charging
While most EV owners rely primarily on home charging, using public chargers can also be beneficial in certain situations:
- supplement home charging if needed to optimize time of use rates or electrical capacity constraints.
- provide backup charging if your home charger is out of service.
- reduce range anxiety for long trips by providing emergency charging if needed.
- allow charging while running errands around town.
- take advantage of free public charging at shopping centers or workplaces.
A mix of both public and home charging is advantageous for many EV drivers. Home charging handles most day-to-day charging needs, while public infrastructure fills in charging gaps when away from home.
Public Charging Etiquette
When using public EV charging stations, following proper etiquette helps ensure fair access for all EV drivers:
- Only park in designated EV charging spots if you are actively charging.
- Move your vehicle once charging is complete.
- Only charge for as long as necessary to get enough range to reach your next charging point.
- Avoid blocking chargers if all spots are occupied. Wait for a spot to open or charge elsewhere.
- If possible, avoid using DC fast chargers for everyday charging needs.
- Be polite to other EV drivers and don’t unplug others unless absolutely necessary.
The Future of EV Charging
The EV charging landscape will continue evolving in coming years. Key developments that will impact public and home charging include:
- More public DC fast charging stations along highways to facilitate long distance travel.
- Additional workplace and urban public charging to enable EV adoption by those without home charging.
- Faster Level 2 charging up to 19.2 kW as EVs utilize larger onboard chargers.
- Smart grid integration and vehicle-to-grid technology allowing EVs to give back to the grid when needed.
- Improved and standardized payment systems across charging networks.
- Increasing utility demand charges for heavy home EV loads may shift more charging to off-peak periods.
Understanding the pros, cons, options and etiquette for both public and home EV charging will allow you to fuel your electric vehicle efficiently and conveniently as adoption continues to accelerate.
Conclusion
Home charging provides the fastest, most convenient and affordable way to charge for most EV owners. But public charging infrastructure serves an important role for supplemental fueling when away from home. Utilizing both public and home charging strategically can provide maximum flexibility, cost savings and convenience as an electric vehicle owner.