Can You Plug an Electric Car Into a Regular Outlet?

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Cincinnati drivers have caught on to the electric vehicle movement thanks to the great benefits they provide. Electric vehicles drastically reduce or even eliminate gasoline dependence and expenses, which helps the country depend less on oil. EVs are more environmentally friendly as they reduce emissions that harm our environment.

Because public charging stations aren’t yet as common as gas stations, many potential EV owners need to know, “Can you plug an electric car into a regular outlet?” The short answer is yes, but your car will charge slower than with a high-speed charger.

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electric vehicle charger being plugged in to car

Why Is Charging an EV at Home Important?

Cincinnati is taking small steps to offer more EV charging stations to drivers, but they are still difficult to come by and often not on your direct route.

While you wait for local politicians to make EV charging stations available across the area, can you plug an electric car into a regular outlet at home?

The answer is yes! Your home. A friend’s home. Any home! But, if you bring an extension cord to plug in your EV when you visit your mom or hang out at a friend’s, they are paying for your charge, which could lead to some friction.

Plug in your EV overnight while you sleep to recharge so your vehicle is ready for the following day.

EV Charging Options

There are a couple of different options for charging your electric car at home. Let’s take a look at each.

Standard 110-Volt Outlets

Today’s mass-produced electric vehicles include a charging unit that you can plug into any standard 110-volt outlet. This unit makes it possible to charge your EV from regular household outlets.

The downside of EV charging with a 110-volt outlet is that it takes a while. This is known as a Level 1 charger, which provides approximately four to five miles of range per hour charged. For an eight-hour overnight charge, you get around 36 to 40 miles.

For drivers who do not travel far in a day, the charge provided by a household 110-volt outlet is sufficient. Others with long commutes or who drive for work need higher efficiency from their charger. Home charging with a higher-voltage outlet significantly reduces charging time and adds more miles of range to your EV in the same period.

red electric car charging

240-Volt Outlet

Can you plug an electric car into a regular outlet that is 240 volts? Yes! This is known as Level 2 charging. The 240-volt outlets are the type you typically see for electric clothes dryers at home and are most commonly installed for public charging stations.

Compared with Level 1 charging, a Level 2 will charge somewhere between twice and eight times as fast, depending on your car’s amperage. A Level 2 charging station will gain approximately 15 to 25 miles per hour of charging. You get about 180 miles of range over the eight-hour overnight charging period when you plug your EV into a 240-volt outlet. 

Level 2 charging is the best option for drivers in a hurry and those who drive more miles in a day.

How Much Does It Cost to Charge an Electric Vehicle?

Electric vehicles have become more affordable, especially with federal and state incentives. Adding to their appeal is improved vehicle range and cheaper charging costs.

UCS.org analyzed 50 of the largest cities in the United States. The annual savings from charging electric vehicles versus fueling gas vehicles ranged from $440 to over $1,070 per year, depending on the electricity provider and local price of gasoline.

The savings are improved if EV owners are on a time-of-use electric plan, allowing them cheaper rates for charging overnight instead of during the day. 

Electricity prices are more stable than oil prices because they can be generated from diverse sources, and US electricity prices are regulated. 

Look at ChargEVC.org’s EV calculator to see how much you can save with an electric vehicle.

Let Apollo Home Install Your EV Charging Station

Is a Level 1 charger not cutting it? Do you have longer commutes or drive for work? It’s probably best to play it safe and install a Level 2 charger.Speed up EV charging at home when you install a home EV charging station by Apollo Home! Our licensed electricians perform the electrical system upgrades your home needs to support fast EV charging and install home EV charging units in Greater Cincinnati and surrounding counties. Contact Apollo Home today to learn more!

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