How to Charge an Electric Car at Home: The Basics

 Most electric car owners charge at home, usually overnight. It's convenient, and often cheaper than public charging. If you're new to electric cars, here are the basics.

Home charging is convenient, as long as the setup is safe.

Three ways to charge

A standard household socket is the slowest option. It can be fine for a car that drives short distances every day, but it can take a very long time to fill a battery.

A home wall charger (a wallbox) is faster and made for the job. It's the most popular choice for home charging, and it needs to be installed by a qualified electrician.

A public fast charger is much faster, and meant for trips or emergencies, not for every day.

What you need at home

1. The charging cable that matches your car and your charger. Use the one supplied by the maker, or a quality cable approved for your car.
2. A safe electrical supply. Ask an electrician to check that your wiring and your main panel can handle hours of charging at a steady load.
3. A dedicated circuit, if the electrician recommends one, with the right protection devices.
4. A good spot, close to the car's charging port and protected from direct rain and knocks.

How to charge

1. Park so the cable reaches the charging port without being stretched.
2. Open the charging port and push the connector in until it clicks.
3. Check that the car or the app shows that charging has started.
4. When you're done, stop the charge from the car or the app, then unplug.
5. Store the cable off the ground so nobody drives over it.

Smart habits

Set a charge limit and a schedule in the car or the app. Many people charge at night, when electricity can be cheaper in some places. And for daily use, a slower charge is gentler on the battery than fast charging.

Safety first: don't use extension cords, multi-plug adapters or damaged cables for charging, because they can overheat. Keep connectors clean and dry, and never touch a cable that's cracked or burnt. Let a qualified electrician install any wall charger.

Before you buy a car, check whether your parking space has a safe power supply nearby. It can change which car and which charger you choose.

General information only. Electric and hybrid cars vary a lot, so follow your owner's manual and leave high-voltage work to a qualified technician.