Owning an electric vehicle and conveniently operating it doesn’t require a degree in electrical engineering, but some basic knowledge about electricity, particularly amperage, can make a big difference. When it comes to choosing the right current rating of a charger, you’ll have to do a 40-amp vs 50-amp EV charger comparison.
At first, it may seem that the higher the amperage, the faster your EV will charge. But is that the case really? Well, different charger ratings are best suited for different use scenarios and needs. Here, we explore the difference between the two most common chargers according to their amperage and help you pick the right one.
What is an EV Charger Amp Rating?
Let’s try to simplify this with a more familiar analogy. We can compare the amp rating to the width of a water pipe. The wider it is, the more water flows. The same thing applies to amperage. An EV charger’s amp rating (like 40 Amp EV Chargers or 50 Amp EV Chargers) determines how many amps it draws from your panel and how fast it charges.
Here in the US, most homes can handle a 40A EV charger circuit fine, offering roughly 9.6kW and 25 miles of range per hour. This is perfectly okay for overnight charging. If you go for a 50A, that can boost the energy delivered to about 25kW, equivalent to ~45 miles per hour. But this will need a 70A circuit breaker. The bottom line is, more amps, faster fill-ups.
Understanding 40 Amp EV Chargers
40 Amp EV Chargers hit the sweet spot for most homeowners. At approximately 9.6kW, this is fast enough to fully recharge the majority of electric vehicles if left overnight (6 to 8 hours for 250 to 300-mile batteries). To install such a charger, you’d typically need a 50A breaker and an 8-gauge wire. This is the modest configuration and is supported by most homes with ample electrical capacity.
The Bureau of Transportation Statistics states that an average vehicle covers roughly 40 miles a day. This means with a 40-amp charger, you can replenish this range within a 2-hour period of charging. Even if you ride back home with an empty range, you’ll still be able to charge to the recommended 80% capacity if you charge overnight.
Pros and Cons
A 40-amp EV charger performs just fast enough for a standard daily use. The ~9.6kW energy output means you get roughly 25 miles an hour. This setup fits most homes without requiring massive upgrades. Plus, it’s future-proof for new EVs and earns utility rebates in most states.
On the downside, you’re not going to hit top speeds of high-acceptance vehicles built for 50A or more. Non-adjustable chargers may also waste the panel capacity, and installation still runs $1,000 to $2,000, including the hardware.
Understanding 50 Amp EV Chargers
To make this 40-amp vs 50-amp EV charger comparison count, let’s look at a 50-amp charger. It’s an overachiever, able to pump out up to 12kW, which is roughly 45 miles of range per hour. This is a faster option for those who do long road trips. But this charger requires some serious specs: A 70A circuit breaker and 4-6 AWG wiring.
50-amp EV chargers normally come hard-wired, meaning no plug-in outlets. Luckily, the market has modern DC fast chargers that can support this setup. For instance, the Omega DC Fast Charger by Charge Rigs offers amazing speeds and is compatible with most EVs.
Pros and Cons
50-amp chargers provide lightning-fast overnight fill-ups, especially for large capacity batteries and fleets. These chargers are just great if you want a future-proof setup.
On the downside, it attracts a high cost of installation; it can take between $1,500 and $3,000. This means it’s typically not ideal for installing in homes but for commercial use. Even if you were to install it at home, you probably won’t use its full charging capacity while overpaying for electricity for almost no noticeable gains.
40 Amp vs 50 Amp: Differences
Now that you understand these two charger amperages, what makes them so different from each other? Why would you choose one over another?
Charging Speed
With a 40-amp EV charger, you get about 25 miles of range per hour, which is ideal for your daily commutes. A 50-amp charger ramps that to approximately 45 miles of range an hour. But here’s the key difference: if you usually charge your EV overnight, the extra speed of the 50 Amp ends up being wasted on lots of unused hours. It only shines for mid-day top-ups, when you urgently need to refill, or when dealing with a large capacity battery.
Installation
If you opt for a 40-amp charger, you’ll need a 50A circuit breaker and an 8 AWG wire, something most homes can handle well. But if you go for a 50-amp unit, your breaker upgrades to 70 A and the cable to a thicker 4-6 AWG, which is a bigger, more expensive upgrade. This will also likely require a panel upgrade, permits, and professional expertise.
If you’re up for the task and ready to make these changes, provided you know you’ll utilise the full potential of a 50 Amp charger, it’s fine to proceed with the installation. Otherwise, you’re better off with a 40 amp.
Cost
In making your decision, you shouldn’t just base it on charging speed, but also on how much you’ll have to part with. The hardware for both chargers is almost similar, ranging between $400 and $800. But the difference sets in when it comes to the installation. The cost of installing a DC Fast Charger is significantly higher due to its commercial-grade equipment and electrical requirements.
The cost of setting up a fully functional 40-amp EV charger can be between $1,000 and $2,000. As for a 50-amp charger, the cost rises to $1,500 – $3,000, considering you might also need to do a panel upgrade.
Safety
This is yet another important consideration when doing a 40-amp vs 50-amp EV charge comparison. With a higher amperage, there’s more heat generated and therefore a higher risk if things go wrong. Therefore, both setups must be carried out by licensed electricians. Plus, you need to ensure the chargers are UL-listed. Don’t forget that NEC requires the breaker rating to be 125% higher than the continuous load. This means a 40-amp charger must use a 50-amp breaker, while a 50 charger uses a 70-amp one.
Compatibility
If you had a 40-amp charger, you wouldn’t have to worry about compatibility because a good number of EVs can take it just fine. The same isn’t true with a 50-amp charger; only a few EVs can truly harness the full charging potential of these chargers.
For example, Tesla Model Y and Ford Mustang Mach-E charge faster with 50 A, but most plug-in hybrids top out around 32 A, so they won’t gain speed.
Energy Efficiency
When it comes to energy efficiency, there’s not much of a difference between a 40A and 50A setup. However, it’s still worth a glance. Both convert AC to DC with an efficiency of 90 to 95%, depending on the vehicle and the brand of charger. The higher the amperage, the more heat is generated when charging, and this can lead to a slight energy loss.
Unless you’re charging multiple electric vehicles each day or managing a fleet, this difference is insignificant and won’t drastically impact your utility bill. If you want to improve overall efficiency, focus more on smart charging habits, such as charging during off-peak hours. Also, keeping cables short, well-maintained, and using ENERGY STAR-certified chargers can help.
Future-Proofing
If you intend to upgrade your EV to one with a higher charging acceptance, need faster turnaround, or add a second charger later, just install a 50 A charger setup. Charge Rigs offers adjustable EV chargers (Omega hard-wired and FLEXX mobile unit) that can be installed in a 40 A setup and double down later on.
Which EV Charger Amp Should You Choose?
There’s no one perfect answer to this; it all depends on your needs and circumstances. If you cover at most 40 miles on daily commutes and don’t mind charging overnight, then a 40-amp EV charger will work for you. This is what most US homes have; it’s affordable, efficient, and safe.
However, if you drive long distances more often, have a high-capacity EV, or simply want to plan for any possible future upgrades, go for a 50-amp EV charger. It will be a worthy investment. With a modern EV charger such as the FLEXX Mobile DC Fast Charger by Charge Rigs, you can quickly switch the amperage settings later, allowing you to grow with ease.
Essentially, a 40-amp charger is great for today’s comfort, a 50 amp is for meeting tomorrow’s demands.
Conclusion
When you’re in a 40-amp vs 50-amp EV charger decision-making process, your choice shouldn’t be guided by charging speeds alone. It should be based on the suitability of a charger to meet your lifestyle, budget, and future demands. If you go for daily commutes not more than 40 miles, you’re better off with a 40-amp EV charger. On the other hand, 50-amp EV chargers are best suited for high mileage and bigger EV requirements.
Looking for a suitable charger for your EV needs? Charge Rigs offers modular FLEXX mobile charging units and powerful Omega DC fast chargers to meet your needs. You get reliable, future-ready charging that perfectly aligns with US standards, business, or personal needs. Get in touch with us to discover how Charge Rigs can help you meet your EV charger needs.