I’m thinking of getting an electric car, but I want to make sure I won’t have to overhaul my entire electric system in my garage first. Do electric cars need 220 volt outlets?
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Great question! An electric car doesn’t require a 220 volt outlet to charge. It will charge with a regular outlet. However, it will charge very slowly.
Depending on the model of electric car you have, the manufacturer calls for different voltages to be used. A standard house charger (120 volts) will charge an electric vehicle, albeit slowly, taking anywhere from 6-24 hours.
This may not be as big a concern if you have a vehicle with longer range like the
Installing a 220 volt charger in your home will let you charge your vehicle quickly. Depending on the size of the battery and how charged it is when you start, it can take anywhere from 3 to 6 hours to charge.
This would let you charge your vehicle overnight and have a full charge the next day. If you’re looking at getting an in-home electric vehicle charger,
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