Choosing a home charging station

The more powerful a home charging station is, the faster it can charge an electric vehicle. However, choosing a charging station that is too powerful for your vehicle’s capacity can be costly and unnecessary.

Certain checks should be performed before selecting a home charging station model.

Charging an electric vehicle at home is typically done overnight.

30-amp or 40-amp charging stations can add 40 to 60 kilometers of range per hour of charging. An overnight charge usually allows a vehicle’s battery to be fully recharged.

Even if your vehicle is compatible with a higher-power charging station, take the time to assess whether you truly need it. Saving a few hours to fully charge your vehicle overnight may not necessarily provide significant benefits in daily use.

Home charging station models are differentiated, among other things, by their power capacity.

In a charging station’s technical specifications, the required electrical current for installation and operation is indicated in amperes (A), while its maximum charging power is listed in kilowatts (kW).

Examples of charging station models available:

• 15 amps, with a power of 3.6 kW
• 30 amps, with a power of 7.2 kW
• 40 amps, with a power of 9.6 kW
• 50 amps, with a power of 12 kW
• 80 amps, with a power of 19.2 kW

Most commercially available charging station models have a power range of 7.2 kW to 12 kW. Their power output can sometimes be adjusted.

Charging speed

The higher the power of a charging station, the faster it charges a vehicle’s battery.

In one hour, a 15-amp charging station can supply 3.6 kilowatts of electricity to a vehicle battery. A 30-amp station will provide double that amount, or 7.2 kilowatts per hour.

To estimate how many hours are needed to fully charge your vehicle’s battery, simply divide the battery capacity (in kWh) by the charging station’s power (in kW).

Example

You have purchased a plug-in hybrid vehicle with a 14.4 kWh battery. 

A 15 A (3.6 kW) charging station will fully charge your battery at home in under 5 hours (14.4 kWh / 3.6 kW = 4 hours). 

A 15 A charging station is therefore suitable for this type of vehicle.

Purchase and installation costs

Charging stations with higher power output are generally more expensive to purchase.

Additionally, a 50- or 80-amp charging station may require an upgrade to your home’s electrical panel or the addition of a secondary panel, which can increase installation costs by several hundred dollars.

Make sure to properly assess the power you need to save on both purchase and installation costs. 

Gouvernement of Québec offers financial assistance for the purchase and installation of residential charging stations.

The charging speed of your vehicle does not depend solely on the power of your home charging station.

When charging at home, the "on-board charger" of the vehicle determines the maximum charging power it can accept in alternating current, which in turn limits the maximum possible charging speed.

A home charging station that is too powerful for your vehicle’s specifications may never operate at its full capacity.

Example

You are debating between a 7.2 kW (30-amp) charging station and a 12 kW (50-amp) charging station for your home. You assume that a 50-amp station will charge your vehicle faster.

However, according to the manufacturer’s specifications, the maximum AC charging power of your vehicle’s "on-board charger" is 7.2 kW.

No matter which home charging station model you choose, its charging power will never exceed 7.2 kW. A 30-amp (7.2 kW) charging station is therefore sufficient.

Using a lower-power charging station or limiting its power output helps spread out electricity consumption over a longer period and reduces pressure on your home’s electrical system and the electricity distribution network.

Hydro-Québec recommends avoiding EV charging during winter peak periods, when the grid is under heavy demand:

• between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. in the morning;
• between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. in the evening.

It is possible to schedule vehicle charging outside these peak periods.

Check if your vehicle’s dashboard settings offer this functionality. It is also available on some “smart” or “connected” home charging stations.

Certain home charging stations are compatible with Hydro-Québec’s Hilo app. In addition to helping reduce strain on the grid, this could also help you save on electricity costs!

Several other features should be considered before choosing a home charging station.

You can choose between a fixed charging station or a portable charging station:

• A fixed charging station is wired directly to your home’s electrical panel by a certified electrician.
• A Level 2 portable charging station must be plugged into a NEMA 14-50 (stove) socket or a NEMA 6-50 (welder) socket.

Pay attention to the charging cable, which connects to the vehicle’s charging port.

• Charging cables typically range from 6 to 8 meters in length.
• Make sure you have a cable long enough to reach your vehicle’s charging port.
• A cable that is too long or too thick may be difficult to handle in winter conditions.

Connector type

You must ensure the charging connector type is compatible with your vehicle.

Most home charging stations are equipped with a J1772 connector, which is compatible with plug-in hybrid and fully electric vehicles, except for Tesla models.

Home charging stations for Tesla vehicles are equipped with an NACS connector.