Home charging turns parked time into useful charging time. The right setup starts with your daily driving, where you park and the electrical supply available.
Level 1 and Level 2, simply
In North America, Level 1 uses a 120 V supply; Level 2 uses a higher-voltage AC supply, typically 240 V at home. Level 2 can deliver more power, but the vehicle’s onboard charger also limits the speed. These terms do not describe DC fast charging.
Start with the car, then the home
Check your vehicle manual for its AC inlet type and maximum AC charging power. Ask a qualified electrician to assess the proposed circuit, outlet, protective devices and installation requirements. A socket that fits a plug is not, by itself, a compatibility check.
How long will it take?
A rough starting point is energy needed in kWh divided by charging power in kW. Adding 30 kWh at a steady 7.7 kW takes about 3.9 hours before losses and other limits. Real charging can take longer as conditions and the car’s demand change.
European shoppers should check Type 2 compatibility and whether the supply and vehicle support single- or three-phase charging. A 22 kW charger does not make an 11 kW vehicle charge at 22 kW.
Make it part of your routine
Use a target charge level recommended by your vehicle maker. If your electricity plan has cheaper periods, set a schedule that fits your tariff and departure needs.
Further reading: U.S. Department of Energy — Charging at home ↗. AmpByte model data: Sinotek catalog, September 2026.