How Long Does It Take to Charge an EV at Home?
If you’re thinking about buying an electric vehicle, one of the first questions you may have is: “How long will it take to charge at home?”
The answer depends on your vehicle, battery size, how much driving you do, and the type of charger you use. For a typical EV with around a 300-mile range, the difference between Level 1 and Level 2 charging can be significant. One can work if you’re a light driver with plenty of time. The other can make charging at home feel almost effortless.
Level 1 Charging: Convenient, But Slow
Level 1 charging is the simplest option. It uses a standard 120-volt household outlet the same type of outlet you use for many everyday appliances.
The tradeoff is charging speed.
A Level 1 charger typically adds around 3–5 miles of range per hour of charging, depending on the vehicle and charging conditions.
That means an EV with a 300-mile battery could theoretically take 60–100 hours to go from empty to full.
Of course, most people aren’t charging from completely empty every night. If you drive 30–40 miles during the day, you might be able to replace that range overnight with Level 1 charging.
For example:
Drive 20 miles → roughly 4–7 hours to replace that range
Drive 40 miles → roughly 8–13 hours
Drive 60 miles → roughly 12–20 hours
For someone who drives relatively little and leaves their car parked overnight, Level 1 may be perfectly adequate.
But if you drive more frequently, that’s where Level 2 starts to make a lot more sense.
Level 2 Charging: A Lot More Range Overnight
Level 2 chargers use a 208 or 240 volt circuit, similar to the type of electrical service used by larger household appliances.
They can typically add somewhere around 20–40+ miles of range per hour, depending on the charger, vehicle, and available electrical capacity.
For a 300-mile-range EV, that can make a big difference.
A Level 2 charger operating around 30 miles of range per hour could theoretically add 300 miles in about 10 hours.
But here’s the part that matters for most EV owners:
You probably don’t need to add 300 miles every night.
If you drive 40 miles during the day, a Level 2 charger could potentially replace that energy in roughly 1–2 hours. Plug in when you get home, and your car can be ready to go again long before morning.
Don’t Forget About the Duke Energy Charger Prep Credit
If you’re a qualifying Duke Energy Progress customer in North Carolina, there may also be some help available with the electrical work needed to prepare your home for a Level 2 charger. Duke Energy’s Charger Prep Credit can help cover qualifying electrical upgrades needed to support a Level 2 or higher EV charger. Eligible improvements can include wiring, outlets, breakers, electrical panels, and related labor. The charger itself is not an eligible expense. (Charger Prep)
“Green Wave Dave” is a registered Duke Energy contractor for the program, and its current information states that eligible customers may receive up to $1,117 toward qualifying EV charger or receptacle installation costs, subject to program requirements. (Green Wave Electrical Contractors NC)
The Bottom Line
A 300-mile-range EV doesn’t necessarily need to be plugged in for 300 miles of charging every night.
For many drivers, Level 1 charging can work—but it requires patience.
Level 2 charging can make home charging dramatically more convenient, especially if you’re regularly driving 30, 40, 50, or more miles per day.
The right choice depends on your vehicle, your driving habits, and your home’s electrical system. If you’re considering an EV or you’ve already bought one and aren’t sure what your home needs, talk to Dave and the team at Green Wave. They can help you understand your charging options, determine what your electrical system can support, and walk you through the installation process, including whether the Duke Energy Charger Prep Credit may apply.