EV Charging Help

Choosing

4 articles

Amperage and EV Charging Speed: What the Numbers Actually Mean

A 48-amp charger adds roughly 30 to 36 miles of range per hour; a 32-amp charger adds roughly 20 to 25. For most drivers, 32 to 40 amps is plenty. Higher amperage only helps if your vehicle's onboard charger can accept it, and many top out around 7.2 kW (about 30 amps) regardless of what your wall unit offers. Circuits are sized at 125% of the charger's continuous draw, so a 48-amp charger needs a 60-amp breaker.

Updated May 20269 min read

Hardwired vs. Plug-In EV Charger: Which Should You Install?

A plug-in charger uses a NEMA 14-50 receptacle, stays portable, and draws up to 40 amps. A hardwired charger is fixed in place but can draw up to 48 amps and skips the GFCI receptacle that current code requires for plug-in setups. For most homeowners the daily charging speed is identical; the real decision is about portability, the 40A versus 48A ceiling, and a few code details that affect cost and reliability.

Updated May 20269 min read

Indoor vs. Outdoor EV Charger Installation: What to Know

An indoor attached-garage install is the simplest and cheapest option and protects the equipment. An outdoor install works well with a weather-rated charger (look for NEMA 4 on the enclosure) but costs more due to conduit, weatherproofing, and sometimes a hardwiring requirement. A detached garage is the most variable cost because of the panel-to-garage run. Where you park largely decides your options.

Updated May 20269 min read

Smart EV Charger Features That Actually Matter (and Ones That Don't)

Charging schedules (to hit off-peak rates), energy monitoring, and load management are worth paying for; Wi-Fi connectivity enables most of them. Many utility rebates require a networked, ENERGY STAR charger, so the feature you care about may be dictated by your rebate. Voice control, animated displays, and thin companion apps are not worth a premium. Watch for features locked behind a subscription.

Updated May 20269 min read
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