{"id":48268,"date":"2024-03-20T18:31:12","date_gmt":"2024-03-21T01:31:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hellotech.com\/blog\/?p=48268"},"modified":"2024-05-21T15:37:51","modified_gmt":"2024-05-21T22:37:51","slug":"how-many-amps-for-ev-charger","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.hellotech.com\/blog\/how-many-amps-for-ev-charger","title":{"rendered":"How Many Amps Does an EV Charger Need?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

If you\u2019ve been exploring EV chargers, you probably noticed some models showcasing how many amps they can deliver. This electrical metric lets you know a charger\u2019s power draw and charging speed. Here\u2019s a comprehensive guide on how many amps your EV charger needs, evaluating your home’s power capacity, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Are Amps?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Amps are a measurement of the electrical current in a circuit. Basically, the more amps a circuit has, the more electrons are flowing through it. Volts measure the pressure of electrons in a circuit. With both of these metrics, you\u2019ll know how many watts it can deliver, or the overall power output.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To make things simple, think of the electricity flowing to your EV like water traveling through a hose. In this analogy, amps would be like the sizeof the hose, while volts would be like the pressure of the water. To deliver as much power to your EV as possible, you\u2019ll want an EV charger with a high voltage and amperage.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"what<\/span>
(Image Source: Freeing Energy<\/a>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

To find the power output of any EV charger, all you need to do is multiply its volts by its amps. This will tell you the watts an EV charger can deliver, and you can divide that number by 1,000 to find the kilowatts (kW).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, if an EV charger can carry 40 amps at 240 volts, it can output 9,600 watts (or 9.6kW) of power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"how<\/span><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

How Much Power Can an EV Accept?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

At public charging stations, certain EV models can reach charging speeds up to 350 kilowatts. At any other type of charger, electric cars can only receive up to 19.2 kilowatts at 80 amps. To find the maximum amount of power your EV can receive, check the power rating of its on-board charger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All electric cars have on-board chargers, which take the \u201calternating current\u201d (AC) found in homes and converts it into \u201cdirect current\u201d (DC), which your batteries need to charge. Basically, the on-board charger is its own separate charger inside your car, and it will determine the maximum charging speed of your EV.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"onboard<\/span><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For example, if your on-board charger has a power rating of 7.7kW, it will only be able to charge at a maximum of 7.7kW, even if you connect to an 11.5kW charger. If you connect that same electric car to a 5.6kW charger, it will charge at 5.6kW.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, if you want your batteries to fill up as fast as possible, you should use an EV charger that can supply as much power as your on-board charger can handle \u2013 or more. You can find the power rating of your on-board charger in your electric car\u2019s manual.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Read More: <\/em><\/strong>How to choose the right EV charger<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n

\"General<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n

How Many Amps Does an EV Charger Output?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Plug-in EV chargers can output up to 9.6kW at 40 amps, as long as you use the right 240-volt outlet. Hardwired chargers can supply up to 19.2kW at 80 amps. However, most electric cars on the market today have a maximum charging speed of 11.5kW at 48 amps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additionally, it’s worth considering whether your home’s electrical system can even handle a more powerful charger. Some homes may require upgrades to accommodate higher charging capacities.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"Ev<\/span>
(Image Source: ChargePoint<\/a>)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n