Choosing a home EV charger
You only need to put back what you drive each day. At about 3.5 mi/kWh, 40 miles a day is roughly 13 kWh, which even a 32 A Level 2 charger refills in under 2 hours.
| Charger | Power | Breaker (125%) | Miles added per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1, 120 V 12 A | 1.4 kW | 15–20 A | ≈ 4 |
| Level 2, 32 A | 7.7 kW | 40 A | ≈ 24 |
| Level 2, 40 A | 9.6 kW | 50 A | ≈ 30 |
| Level 2, 48 A | 11.5 kW | 60 A | ≈ 36 |
*At 3.5 mi/kWh and 90% charging efficiency. Most EVs cap AC charging at 10.9–11.5 kW, so a charger above 48 A adds nothing for them.
Frequently asked questions
Is a 32 A or 48 A charger better?
48 A is faster only if your car accepts 11.5 kW. For most drivers 32–40 A refills a typical day of driving in 2–3 hours.
What breaker do I need for a 48 A EV charger?
A 60 A breaker, because EV chargers are continuous loads sized at 125% (NEC 625).