The degree of acceptance for electric vehicles (EVs) is such that almost the prompting new EV owners would need to ask: how many amps for an electric car charger? That is a most important query for ascertaining the proper adaptability of the dwelling’s electrical supply for the safe and efficient power requirements for charging the electric automobile.
Charging an electric vehicle needs a definite amount of electricity, and the ampere requirement depends on the kind of charger, the size of the vehicle’s battery, and one’s specific needs in charging the battery. This article will expound on different kinds of EV chargers and their amperage requirements followed by a clarification on whether you need a 200-amp service or 40 amps suffice.

Essential Data about EV Charging for Beginners

Usually, there are three different types of chargers for electric vehicles including Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3. The amps rely on what level of charger you are going to use in charging an electric car. Each level has different charging speeds and power requirements.

Level 1 Charging Stations

Charging an electric vehicle at this level is the slowest possible; you would be charging with a standard 120-volt outlet, like what a household appliance would use. It does not need a special electrical installation, but it would take quite a long time to charge it fully. For instance, this kind of charging can provide a 3-5-mile range per hour; therefore, it may not be good enough for everyday driving.

Amps Needed: A standard 120V outlet can typically deliver 12 to 15 amps, so the draw would be approximately this amount of current for Level 1 charging.

Level 1 charging does not require an upgraded electrical system; however, the slow charging speed limits the use of this mode for driving long distances or for frequently using your vehicle. In such cases, charging the car overnight for the next day does not seem to be very useful.

Level 2 Coulomb Chargers

Level 2 is by far the most common method of charging an EV at home. This type of charge is 240 volts, and it will add range to the vehicle much faster than Level 1. These chargers can usually charge 12-60 range miles per hour, depending on the vehicle and charger output.

Amps Required: Charging set for Level 2 generally requires 20-50 amps. The most popular home scale setup is between 30 and 40 amps, which gives you an excellent balance between inadequate speed of charging and overloading your home electrical system.

A licensed electrician usually installs Level 2 chargers and may require upgrading your electrical panel because, more often than not, your home’s existing electrical service can’t handle the added load.

One thing to keep in mind, however, is that while most people will have a pretty standard 40-amp charger installed at home, the number of amps you would need will depend heavily on your situation, driving habits, and how much power your vehicle requires from the charger. EV owners who tend to travel very long distances or use their vehicles extensively on short trips should consider a higher-amp charger.

DC Fast Charger Level 3

Level 3 charging, or DC fast charging, can commonly be found at commercially available charging stations. They charge EVs quickly-from 30 minutes to less than an hour for an 80% charge. The reason DC fast charging is not intended for home is because it is very expensive to install and requires complicated electrical connections.

Amps Required: Level 3 chargers require hundreds of amps (typically between 100 and 500 amps), and they usually require dedicated infrastructure, rendering them impractical for most home environments.

No concern here about using public fast chargers, which is the main reason you need to understand their power requirements. Level 3 chargers while not applied then in your home are your concern while at the public fast chargers. DC fast chargers are typically put in high-traffic areas, such as highway rest stops, commercial parking lots, and urban charging hubs.

An electric car charger needs how many amps at home?

Most households install a Level 2 charger for their home EV charging. However, the number of amps required for your charger depends on different factors:

• The power output of the charger (in kilowatts or kW)
• The battery size of the vehicle
• The desired charging speed

Typically, residential Level 2 chargers operate at the 20- 50-amp spectrum. Below, we will dive into the amperage requirements based on specific configurations.

30 Amps: A Standard Option for Home Charging

Most home EV chargers are installed with 30 amps of current. This gives an optimum mix of speed and load on the electrical system. A 30-amp Level 2 charger can bring your EV about 7.2 kW, thereby adding 25-30 miles of range per hour of charging.

• Amps Needed: 30 amps
• Power Output: 7.2 kW
• Charging Speed: 25-30 miles per hour

A 30-amp charge suits most EV owners unless extreme speed is needed along with a decent daily driving number. Generally, if that number is 20-30 miles in a day, a 30-amp charge will have no trouble replenishing the battery while you sleep.

40 Amps: More for Faster Charging

If someone wants even faster charging or if someone has an EV with a rather large battery, he should go for a 40-amp charger. The 40-amp charger gives its charger an output of power up to 9.6 kW, which, when calculated, transformers almost miles ranging from 32 to 40 per hour of charging.

• Amps Needed: 40 amps
• Power Output: 9.6 kW
• Charging Speed: 32-40 miles per hour

This is also the most common preference among EV owners who regularly use cars or travel long distances. The charging time is fast but is still manageable and quite acceptable for power systems in most homes. For example, if you have a long commute every day or often drive to places where charging stations are sparse, a 40-amp charger could ensure that your vehicle is always charged and ready to go when you need it.

50 Amps: Maximum Speed for Charging in Household Settings

The maximum amperage for home chargers is 50 amps. A 50-amp charger can give you as much as 12 kW power, for example charging up to 50 miles after every hour of charging.

• Amps Needed: 50 amps
• Power Output: 12 kW
• Charging Speed: 45-50 miles each hour

However, in some instances, installing a 50-amp charger requires modification or upgrading in electrical services based on the existing condition. This is ideal for people who would want to charge their vehicles for charging for short periods, such as overnight or quickly. If you happen to be one of those consumers who own more than one EV at home or go on long road trips often, you have every reason to think about getting a 50-amp charger.

Do I Need a 200 Amp Service for an EV Charger?

This is the kind of question that almost always crops up when talking about home installations for an EV charger. Simply put, in general, you don’t need 200 amps to charge your EV. However, that presumes quite a bit because there are many factors involved.

• Typical Home Electrical Service: Most U.S. homes are built with either a 100-amp service or a 200-amp service. Most people are not aware that the service panel distributes power to all electrical circuits in their houses.
• Additional Load: Adding an EV charger increases the total load of your electrical panel. For example, even a 30-amp or 40-amp charger can be added without issues, depending on capacity, as far as 200-amp service is concerned. If you want to keep installing high-load chargers or other appliances, like an electric stove or water heater, you will probably have to step up to 200 amps to avoid frying your system.

What to Consider When Deciding If You Need 200 Amp Service? 

To determine if you require a 200-amp upgrade, ask yourself the following questions:

• Existing Service Amp Rating: If you already have a 200-amp service, you should be fine with adding a Level 2 charger without problems. However, if your service is 100 amps, you may likely need to upgrade, particularly because other appliances may already be power-hungry.

• Total Electrical Load: An electrician can depend on/load calculation to make certain of your home’s capability for the extra load the EV charger will be introducing. If your total load is high, you might have to upgrade to a 200-amp panel. For example, a house that has a lot of electricity going toward air conditioning, electric heat, or large appliance usage may find that adding an EV charger takes the system above its limits.

• In the Near Future: If you’re going to be adding more high-energy items later, getting a 200-amp service now can spare the trouble of a second service upgrade. For example, if you’re thinking about adding a sauna in your house or a heater for your pool, then you’d better up the service panel now.

Is 40 Amps Enough for an EV Charger?

40 Amps are good enough for EV charging? Well, yes: in most cases, 40 amps are enough for home charging. A 40-amp charging system produces power equal to almost 9.6 kW, which is fast enough to meet requirements for most electric vehicles. With 40 amps connected, charging an EV should take anywhere from approximately 32-40 miles per hour, making it a great answer for use with daily charging congestion.

If you have a bigger battery EV or a much further mileage driving requirement, you might want to look at a 50-amp charger, but most people find that 40 amps provides a good balance of speed and efficiency. Plus, a 40-amp charger lets you top off your vehicle without having to charge it for hours and hours overnight.

Conclusion

The answer to many amps is based on your need for charging and the type of installation you plan. These chargers usually provide about 12-15 amps of electricity to the electric vehicle from a 120V outlet, but they have very low charging power. Level 2 requires 20-50 amps, with 30 being standard for home installations. 40 amps on smaller comes fast but does not overload most home electrical; 50 amps can have the best speeds for charging on a home circuit.

However, if you are not sure whether or not your EV charger requires 200 amps, this is usually not necessary unless the existing electrical system is already overburdened or you plan on adding several chargers or high-consumption appliances. Forty amps will generally be more than sufficient for most EV players, providing excellent speed versus capacity balance.

Installation will then permit the charger to be considered workable with your home or property charging type. This makes it important to have an electrician review the installation of your house electrics. Proper installation allows for the unrestricted charging ability of your electric car without concerns about overloading your home electrical system.