Preparing your home for charging an electric vehicle

One of the most important decisions that owners of plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) will make is how to charge their vehicles. If you need to install a PEV home charging system, costs vary significantly, depending on the home's existing electric system.

Be plug-in ready

  1. Determine whether the particular PEV make/model requires upgrades to your home's electrical panel and wiring.
    • Plug-in electric vehicles charging at 120 volts typically do not require changes.
    • Pure battery electric vehicles and faster, higher-voltage charging methods may require a home electrical panel upgrade in addition to a dedicated 240-volt circuit.
    • SRP customers who decide on higher-voltage charging need to consult a licensed electrical contractor and allow time to obtain appropriate permits and inspections.
    • Review the charging station checklist.
  2. Contact SRP at (602) 236-9621 if you plan to purchase a PEV.
    • Very high charging levels may require a utility service upgrade. SRP recommends that you consult a licensed electrician to determine if your existing service is adequate for your vehicle charging requirements.
  3. Review SRP's right price plan options so that you can select the one that best suits your lifestyle.
    • The purchase of a PEV may significantly change your electricity usage.
    • SRP offers price plans that can help you save money on your energy bills, depending on when you charge your vehicle and your total home energy usage.
    • Sign up for the right price plan for you, and shift your energy use to certain parts of the day when energy prices are lower.

For questions regarding electric vehicle charging options and price plans, call SRP at (602) 236-9621.

Most owners of plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) choose to charge their vehicles at home using a Level 1 or Level 2 charger, which can be installed on 120- or 240-volt circuits. Depending on which charging level you select, you may need to upgrade your home's electrical system to be plug-in ready.

Types of home charging systems

Level 1 (120 volts)

  • It uses the standard 120-volt outlet that typically won't require customers to make modifications to their electric panels or home wiring.
  • Most plug-in hybrid electric vehicles take four to six hours to fully charge.
  • A battery electric vehicle takes 12 to 24 hours for a full charge.

Level 2 (240 volts)

  • It will likely require a new dedicated circuit from the electric panel to a wall location near the PEV parking spot.
  • It increases the charge power two to four times and decreases the typical full charge time for a battery electric vehicle to four to eight hours.

DC fast charging

  • It is the fastest charging method available and is used for commercial charging.
  • Some vehicles can charge in as little as 15 minutes, depending on the battery type.

Read about residential charging station requirements.

PEV public charging stations

Though most charging will occur in private garages, electric vehicle public charging facilities will be available for PEV owners who want the convenience of "opportunity charging" in parking lots at work or the shopping mall, or even at curbside parking meters. Approximately 2,100 electric vehicle public and home charging stations are being installed throughout the Phoenix and Tucson metro areas.

For more information, visit The EV Project.