Electric Vehicle Charging at Home

Electric vehicles (EVs) are gaining traction among environmentally conscious drivers. In fact, the U.S. is in the top three global markets for electric vehicle sales – with Texas among the top four states with the highest electric vehicle registrations.

It stands to reason that Texas would have a very high number of EV registrations, as the Lone Star State also has the second-highest number of solar installations in the U.S.

Electric vehicles and solar panels go hand in hand. Many solar panel owners leverage their panels to charge their EVs as well as their homes.

Yet, of course, not every EV owner has access to solar panels, and one of the biggest considerations for both new and potential EV owners is finding solutions for electric vehicle charging at home.

In this article, we’re going to explore the various home EV charging solutions available, including options powered by solar energy and a guide to determining the best fit for your needs.

Let’s take a closer look at the different ways EV owners can charge their EVs at home:

Without Solar Panels

Level 1 Charging (Standard 120V Outlet)
Level 1 charging uses a standard 120V household outlet, which makes it the most accessible option for EV owners. The primary benefit of this method is its simplicity and low cost since it doesn’t require any additional equipment or installation.

However, Level 1 charging is significantly slower than other options, as it takes between five and six hours to reach a full charge, with about 3-5 miles of range per hour. This makes it more suitable for overnight charging or for those with shorter daily commutes.

Level 2 Charging (240V Outlet)
Level 2 charging is much faster and more efficient than Level 1 charging.

Level 2 requires a 240V outlet, like those used for large appliances like dryers. Installing a Level 2 charger involves additional costs for the equipment and professional installation. Level 2 charges provide a quicker charge rate of 1 to 2 hours, often around 25-30 miles of range per hour.

This solution is ideal for EV owners who need to charge their vehicles more quickly, or those who have longer commutes.

With Solar Panels

Integrating EV Chargers with Existing Solar Panel Systems
For those who already have a solar panel system installed, integrating an EV charger can be a straightforward process. If you are using solar energy to power your home, all it takes is plugging in your preferred charger.

This setup allows you to use the clean energy generated by your solar panels to power your vehicle, which reduces your reliance on grid electricity and further minimizes your carbon footprint.

Benefits of Charging an EV with Solar Panels

• Environmental: Charging your EV with solar energy helps reduce your carbon footprint by eliminating the need for energy from fossil fuels.
• Energy independence: Solar energy is still a fairly reliable (and sustainable) energy source, which helps reduce dependence on the grid.
• Money savings: By generating your own energy to charge your EV, you can lower your energy bills and potentially earn credits by feeding extra power back to the grid.

When looking at different EV charging options for your home, you’ll need to look at the big picture, which includes your current home wiring setup, the make and model of your EV, and much more. Let’s take a closer look:

Technical Considerations

It’s important to note that roughly up to 30% of home electric vehicle charging station installations require some kind of electrical panel upgrade, load management system, or rewiring. Bear this in mind when considering a non-solar electric vehicle home charger.

You’ll also want to ensure that your potential EV charger will provide enough kilowatts, or power output, to power your electric vehicle. MotorTrend recommends a happy medium of 9.6 kilowatts, and 11.5 kilowatts as “nice to have.”

You’ll also want to evaluate whether your potential EV charger has extra smart charging features like remote monitoring and scheduling – this ensures that you’re optimizing your charging experience as much as possible.

Installation and Maintenance

Professional home electric vehicle charging station installation costs for a Level 2 charger can range from $1,150 to $2,750 to purchase and install a 240-volt charging station.

If you already own solar panels and you’re looking at installing a solar integrated battery, this would run you about $10,000 to $15,000. Consider that a solar battery installation would provide more than just a way to charge your EV; it would also provide you with extra energy to power your home in the event of a grid outage.

When it comes to maintenance, consider that different traditional EV chargers will have different warranties and inclusions, with some warranties available only for a set amount of time, as a renewable plan, or included in the cost of the installation.

Financial Considerations

If you already own an electric vehicle, breaking even on the cost of installing and purchasing a traditional electric vehicle home charger will likely take no time at all. If you don’t own an electric vehicle, rest assured that rebates are available for the purchase of EVs in the United States.

Plus, the average cost to charge an electric vehicle per year in the United States is $674. In contrast, the average cost to fuel a traditional vehicle can range anywhere from $2000 to $5000 – depending on location and lifestyle.

When considering the realities of EV charger installation costs, it’s also important to remember that there are utility rebates available for both purchase and installation throughout the United States.

1. Calculate an average of how many kilowatt hours you use during the average billing cycle of 30 days by looking at your usage over a whole year.
2. Divide your average energy bill total by the number of kilowatt hours you used to find your rough price per kilowatt hour.
3. Estimate your monthly driving mileage. Include trips to work, school, extracurricular activities, etc.
4. Familiarize yourself with your vehicle’s specifications to determine the appropriate charging output power that you’ll need. Most electric vehicles get about 2 to 4 miles per kilowatt hour.

Now, take your average monthly mileage and divide it by the number of miles per kilowatt hour your EV has. This will determine how many kilowatt hours you’d use per month. Then, multiply your monthly kilowatt hours by the price per kilowatt hour that you calculated in step 2 to find out how much you’d spend per month to charge your electric vehicle.

EV Charging Stations in Your Area

If home charging isn’t the right fit for you, or if you prefer to have both options, finding an EV charging station in your area is easy. You can use this handy resource by Alternative Fuels Data Center to locate the nearest charging station to you.

As the electric vehicle market continues to expand, home charging solutions have become an essential part of the ownership experience, particularly in states like Texas, where both EV and solar energy adoption are high.

Green Mountain Energy offers the Solar All-Nighter for EVs plan, which includes a discounted rate at night, when you are most likely to charge your EV.

This plan is available in Texas, and it’s designed to help you make the most of your home’s solar energy system – while enjoying reduced rates when the sun isn’t shining – to charge your electric vehicle!

Whether you’re considering the simplicity and cost-effectiveness of Level 1 charging, the speed and efficiency of Level 2 charging, or the environmental and economic benefits of solar battery charging, there’s an option that can fit your lifestyle and meet your needs.

To learn more about the different ways you can integrate green energy into your home, visit us at Green Mountain Energy.