The short version
- Most EV drivers do most of their charging at home, overnight.
- When you charge matters as much as how much: PG&E's 4–9 p.m. peak can cost more than twice the cheapest hours.
- A Level 2 charger on a 240V circuit covers almost any daily driving; smart load management can avoid a panel upgrade.
- At typical rates, home charging costs roughly half as much per mile as gasoline.
Level 1 vs Level 2 charging
Level 1: standard outlet
Uses a regular 120V outlet. Adds only a few miles of range per hour, which can still work for short daily commutes.
Level 2: 240V charger
Uses a 240V circuit, like a dryer. Adds roughly 20 to 40 miles of range per hour, enough to refill most daily driving overnight.
Most people with a garage or driveway choose Level 2. A common setup is a 40-amp circuit, which charges at about 32 amps.
What it costs
Your cost depends on miles driven, your car's efficiency and your electricity rate. A typical EV uses around 30 kWh per 100 miles, plus about 10% lost while charging. At off-peak home rates, that often works out to roughly half the cost per mile of a car getting 25 MPG. The EV Charging Cost calculator does the math for your specific car.
When you charge matters
PG&E's time-of-use plans charge the most from 4 to 9 p.m. every day. Plugging in right when you get home from work puts your charging in the most expensive hours. Almost every EV and home charger lets you schedule charging, so set it once for overnight and forget it.
Rate plans such as EV2-A and E-ELEC are designed for homes with EVs and other electric equipment. PG&E's online rate comparison tool shows which plan would have been cheapest for your actual usage. See Understanding your PG&E bill.
Your electrical panel
A Level 2 charger is one of the larger loads in a home. Many panels have room; some don't. Before assuming you need an expensive panel upgrade, ask about load management: smart chargers and energy management systems can automatically slow charging when the rest of the house is using a lot of power. The Panel Readiness Check shows how much this can help.
Charging with solar
Solar and EVs pair well, especially if the car is home during the day, when solar production is highest. If it's usually gone during the day, a home battery can store solar for overnight charging, or you can simply size solar to cover the EV's yearly use and charge at the cheapest overnight rates.
Questions to ask your contractor
- Does my panel have room for a Level 2 charger?If not, ask about load management before a panel upgrade.
- What circuit size do you recommend, and why?A 40A circuit is common; bigger isn't always needed.
- Where will the charger go, and how long is the cable?Make sure it reaches where you actually park.
- Is the charger listed for safety, and does it support scheduling?
- Will you pull a permit?Charger installations should be permitted and inspected.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Charging as soon as you get home. That's usually the 4–9 p.m. peak.
- Assuming you need a panel upgrade. Load management often avoids it.
- Staying on the wrong rate plan. Compare plans once you know your new usage.
- Buying more charger than you need. Most daily driving refills easily overnight.
Run the numbers for your home
This guide is general education, not advice for your specific home. Equipment, rebates and PG&E rates change; confirm details with a qualified professional. Unfamiliar term? See the glossary. Have a question it didn't answer? Ask Robert.