Question:

If I buy an electric car, how do I charge it at home?

Answer:

The Detroit Auto Show is spotlighting an ever-increasing number of hybrids and electric cars. To charge a car at home, you need to be set up for it. Chevrolet says with “a professional installed 240-volt charging station, Volt can recharge in as little as 4.5 hours to provide up to 53 pure electric miles.” And from Tesla.com, “Installing a 240-volt outlet provides more power than a standard outlet to charge your Tesla faster.”

What’s involved? A Plus Electric’s Carl Evanson says “a 240-volt outlet requires a dedicated feed from your electrical panel to the car charging station.” In purchasing a vehicle, consider that a typical 240-volt installation costs about $250-$400, plus the electrical inspection. The total expense can run more. Volt’s 240-volt AeroVironment 32-Amp home charging unit is $699 (MRSP). Tesla’s wall connector with 24-foot cable lists at $550. That’s on top of the 240-volt installation.

“We’re doing an increasing number of these installations, including at Jackson College,” comments Carl. In addition to charging at home, there will be more public stations. “Keep in mind that charging takes longer, sometimes at lot longer, than filling up your gas tank.”

There are other charging options, but they may not be satisfactory over the long haul. Chevrolet says you can also use a 120-volt portable charger. At the “default 8-amp setting” a charge would take 19-hours. Using a 12-amp setting, the charging time is reduced to 13-hours. But you will need to know if your 110-volt outlet can handle 13 amps.

Link to Tesla’s charging page.  Link to Chevrolet’s Volt.