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How do you charge an electric car at home?

I’m looking to purchase an electric car, and I know that more and more charging ports are being installed nationwide. But I’m not sure how to charge an electric car at home. Do I need a port or charging station in my garage or outside of my house? And what would it cost me to do so?

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Jason Crosby · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
This is definitely something to consider if you’re looking to buy an electric car, but charging your car at home is actually very simple. Here’s what you’ll need to know:
  • If you buy an EV, your vehicle will come with a 110-volt-compatible cable (known as a Level 1 setup) for home use.
  • This means that you can simply plug your vehicle into a wall outlet and let it charge up without having to purchase
  • While you can purchase a 240-volt, or Level 2, wall-mounted charger, it will cost you extra cash—a cheap one usually costs around $800. Most will run you approximately $1200-$1800.
You may be wondering what the trade-off might be. Well,** with a Level 2 charger, you’ll end up reducing the charging time of your vehicle**, but unless you need that extra juice to charge up quickly, there’s really no need to invest the money.
Also consider that unless you have a 240-volt outlet handy, you’ll be paying an electrician to install one, which can add up quickly.
In a nutshell, most EV owners are just fine with their standard 110-volt charger that comes with their vehicle. But if you feel like upgrading and have the money to do so, then more power to you.
Another way to save, besides forgoing your 240-volt outlet, is to team up with
Jerry
to find the best deals on insuring your EV. You can get started today and find out whether you’ve been overpaying within minutes.
MORE: Which EVs Offer the Best Range? A Price-Per-Mile Comparison
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