A buyer’s guide to home EV chargers

Yes, you can use a standard wall socket to charge your EV. This is known as Level 1 charging.

Level 1 charging is the slowest way to charge your car. It takes around one hour of Level 1 charging to power a car for approximately 8 km of range, so you’ll need to charge your car for 12 hours to achieve almost 100 km of range.

This is usually good enough for plug-in hybrids that have both an internal combustion engine and a battery system.

However, most drivers of “pure” EVs — those powered by an electric battery alone — prefer to install a Level 2 charger at home for the fastest and easiest charging experience. If your EV spends an overnight plugged into a Level 2, it will be at full range by morning.

A Level 2 charger connects to the electricity supply in your home through a 240-volt or 30-amp outlet — the same outlet used to power an oven or a clothes dryer.

The big advantage of a Level 2 charger is its speed: one hour of charging offers approximately 30 km of driving range. This means a full charge is reached within 6 to 14 hours¹. 

Home chargers may be sold separately to your EV, depending on the model. Choosing between the many models now on the market can be daunting.

However, no matter which make of vehicle you buy, all EVs for sale in North America use the same plugs for Level 2 charging, so you don’t have to worry about compatibility. Level 3 or DC fast charging is where some EVs may have different charging hardware.

Other factors that you can consider when choosing between EV chargers include:

• Whether you need an indoor unit or outdoor weatherproof charger
•  How long the charging cable needs to be
• Whether you prefer a built-in unit or a “portable” charger — perhaps if you want to be able to use a charger in a second location, such as a vacation cottage.

Note, in all circumstances you still need a 240-volt outlet.

Home Level 2 chargers can also offer different amperage levels (amps), which dictate charging speed. Most EV batteries require around 30 amps to achieve 30 km of range per hour of charging, although this varies depending on the EV.

Some EVs can draw more amps and charge more quickly. Speaking with a licensed electrician before you buy a charging station will help you understand what your EV requires, and what your home can support.

You also need to decide if you want a “smart” charger, which offers advanced features such as timed charging, data tracking and load balancing.

If you live in an area that offers off-peak electricity pricing, timed charging is a particularly useful feature. It can let you  control your charging times to take advantage of cheaper overnight power rates. It’s also useful to look for a charger with an EnergyStar certification, which will generally use less power on standby mode.

EV chargers begin at around $700, and installation can cost several hundred dollars or more. That depends on the complexity of the installation and any electrical upgrades your home may require.

As for running costs, these vary depending on the specifications of your vehicle and of course, how much you drive.

Factors such as how much you pay for your electricity, and whether you have access to lower-price power at night, will also come into play.

For a better idea of how much your EV will cost to operate, you can use a tool such as the Canadian Automobile Association’s Driving Costs Calculator Opens in a new window.. You can also check out Natural Resources Canada’s Fuel consumption ratings Opens in a new window..

A professional licensed electrical contractor with specialized certification in EV chargers will be able to install your home charger safely. This type of professional electrician will also be able to tell you if you need to upgrade the electrical panel or the power supply in your home before you begin the installation process. They will also let you know if your municipality requires a permit for electrical upgrades.

Specialized EV charger installers now exist across Canada, and you can find a certified electrician via the electrical industry body in your province.

CIBC can help you drive more sustainably and save money with special financing rates for electric and hybrid vehicles. And with every green vehicle loan we finance through this program, we're donating $25 to the Nature Conservancy of Canada.

Learn about CIBC green vehicle loans

¹ Choosing an EV charger, BC Hydro Opens in a new window.