How to find the best home EV charger

One of the biggest and sometimes overlooked advantage of owning an electric vehicle (EV) is the convenience of refueling at home. Crossing off a trip to the gas station, EV drivers have one less task soaking up time and money. Now the big question is, how do new electric car owners choose the best home EV charger?

Home EV charger considerations

EV drivers have an array of choices for home chargers. While many new EVs come with a portable Level 1 charger, powerful Level 2 chargers like JuiceBox can charge up to 9x faster. Knowing what to look for will help you make the best choice to pair with your EV.

Plug in vs. hardwire charger installation

If you have a 240 volt NEMA 14-50 receptacle in your garage, a plug in EV charger may be suitable for your set up and allow for quick and cost-effective installation. A plug in charger is also best for residents who plan to relocate and take the charger with them as hardwired chargers are more difficult to move.

For EV owners with charging capabilities from 11.5 kilowatts (kW) and above, a hardwire charging station is required due to higher amperage requirements. Some local electrical codes will also require hardwiring for charging stations located outside or in a carport.

Charging speed

Whether you own a battery electric vehicle (BEV) or a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), understanding the compatible charging speeds of your vehicle ensures you’re maximizing the cost of hardware to charging speed ratio. First, look at how many kilowatts your electric vehicle can accept: BEVs and PHEVs charging from home can utilize Level 2 charging from 3.3 kW up to 11.5 kW. To take advantage of the fastest possible charging speeds, you need a home charging station with sufficient amperage (A). For example, if you own a Tesla Model 3 Standard Range, your vehicle can accept up to 32A, or 7.7 kW, making a charger like the JuiceBox 32 a good choice.

While it's recommended to purchase a charger that provides the max charging rate of your vehicle, there’s no problem buying charging equipment with more amperage because the car can reduce the power supply. You can also futureproof your garage by purchasing a JuiceBox charging station with higher amperage, like the JuiceBox 40 or JuiceBox 48, so you have the freedom to upgrade to an EV with quicker charging at any time.

Smart charging features

To get the most out of your home EV charger and take advantage of cheaper energy rates (where applicable), you should select a model with WiFi connectivity, scheduling and monitoring capabilities and energy usage control, among others. JuiceBox comes with exclusive smart charging features that make charging your EV as efficient and emission-free as possible. With the Enel X Way App, JuiceNet^® Green dashboard and renewable energy certificates (REC) through a JuiceEco^™ subscription, drivers can schedule charging when renewable energy is available on the grid and match the energy used by supporting clean energy production.

JuiceBox^®: How to find the best EV charger

JuiceBox home chargers come in 32, 40, and 48 amperages to support a range of power needs. While all award-winning JuiceBoxes provide extensive control and monitoring, they each have their own particular use cases. Here’s a helpful guide to determine which JuiceBox charger is best for your needs.

Optimize your charging with JuiceBox

Choosing the correct charger to support your EV will maximize value from your investment. By utilizing JuiceBox, drivers can charge faster, smarter and cleaner with a model that fits their needs.

Need help?

Call us at +1-844-JUICEBX

Email us at support@evcharging.enelx.com

Talk to an agent via Live Chat

Visit our Support Hub