According to the U.S. Department of Energy, about 80% of all vehicle charging happens at home. While public charging networks are expanding, most drivers rely on home charging for their day-to-day needs.

Homes without solar use grid power to charge a BEV or PHEV. It works like any other household appliance: you simply plug your charger into a compatible outlet or have the charger hardwired into your electrical main, then plug it into your car to charge it. How long it takes depends on the size of your car’s battery and the charging speed. BEV batteries are significantly larger than PHEV batteries. The average size of a BEV battery ranges from 50-100 kWh, with some larger pickups and SUVs using batteries up to 200 kWh. PHEV batteries average around 14 kWh.

If your home has solar, you can offset some or even all your charging with solar during daylight hours, depending on the size of your array and how fast you’re charging. With home batteries in your system, you can also charge your EV with stored solar or grid energy from batteries, which can be more economical than charging with grid energy when prices are high.

Depending on how your electrical service is set up, you may be able to charge more than one EV at a time. We’ll talk about electrical circuits and amperage in the next section. As for how long you can drive on a single charge, that also depends on the size of your car’s battery, how and where you drive, and even the weather, as colder temperatures tend to reduce range. 

There are two types of home EV chargers—Level 1 and Level 2.

A third type, known as Level 3 or a DC fast charger, is what you’ll see at many charging stations out on the road, like Tesla Superchargers and others. Fast chargers can charge most BEV batteries (they're not compatible with PHEV battery technology) to 80% in anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes, which is great for longer trips. But the amperage needed to fast charge far exceeds what most homes are capable of. So we’ll focus on Level 1 and Level 2 here.

Level 1 chargers are the slower of the two, and most likely the kind of charger that came with your plug-in vehicle. Level 1 chargers conveniently plug into a standard 120 V, three-prong outlet like you'll find anywhere around your home. They can only draw a max of 1.2 kW and provide between 3 to 5 miles of range per hour (RPH). For a PHEV, Level 1 might be enough to charge fully overnight. But for a full BEV, Level 1 charging probably isn’t practical as it could take a couple of days to fully charge.

Level 2 chargers can help with that. Depending on your vehicle, they can charge your battery anywhere from 12 to 61 miles of RPH. That’s 3.3 kW up to 15.4 kW of power, providing a high enough rate to charge most BEVs in around five hours or less. Level 2 chargers can plug into a 240 V utility outlet (NEMA 14-50 or 6-50) or be hardwired into your electrical panel.  

Hardwiring requires an electrician for installation. If you don’t already have a 240 V outlet, we strongly recommend that an electrician install that, too. Both options require you to have an open circuit (or circuits) on your main electrical panel capable of handling the amount of electricity required to charge at Level 2.

For instance, a 6.6 kW charger needs a dedicated 40 A circuit charging at 32 A. (There’s an 80% rule for chargers and circuits: Level 2 charging at 6.6 kW requires 32 A to deliver that power, so you need a dedicated 40 A circuit for the charger. The faster the charger, the more dedicated circuit amperage you need.) The Enphase IQ 80 EV Charger is our fastest charger and charges at 64 A. It requires an 80 A dedicated circuit to work at its full capacity, delivering up to 61 miles of RPH.

Enphase has you covered with a full range of Level 2 chargers, starting with the Enphase IQ 40 EV Charger that charges at 7.7 kW and provides up to 30 miles of RPH, adding progressively more output power and RPH with the Enphase IQ 50 EV Charger and Enphase IQ 60 EV Charger, all the way up to the aforementioned Enphase IQ 80 EV Charger. These are all smart, connected chargers that provide a range of intelligent charging features, including the ability to integrate with your Enphase Energy System and charge with solar. Enphase also offers simpler, unconnected home chargers as well as chargers specifically built for commercial applications.

Along with different levels of charging, there are also different types of charger connectors. Adapters are available, but in general, you want an EV charger with the right connector for your vehicle.

Level 1 and Level 2 chargers in North America generally come in two connector types: J1772 and NACS, which is Tesla's technology. Your Tesla needs a NACS connector for charging. If you drive a Tesla, you can use chargers with a J1772 connector if you have a NACS-to-J1772 adapter, which Tesla sells.

Many Level 3 (DC fast) chargers also use NACS (at present, Tesla Superchargers or other NACS fast chargers), but DC fast chargers can also be found with SAE combo (CCS1) or CHAdeMO connectors. At the fast-charger level, though, things are changing. Because of the different types of connectors, non-Tesla EVs haven’t been able to access the vast Tesla fast charging network, which some believe has slowed BEV adoption. But in 2023, many major automotive manufacturers agreed to adopt the Tesla NACS connector as the industry standard. By 2026, it’s expected that most new BEVs will come standard with NACS charging ports.

Non-Tesla fast charging stations are working to convert their chargers to the NACS standard so that Teslas can also access them without an adapter. For those people with BEVs already or who purchased BEVs prior to the new standard, many manufacturers are selling UL-certified adapters that allow non-Tesla owners to access Tesla fast chargers. (Ford, Rivian, and GM, for example, are offering the adapters to their customers.)

Enphase EV Chargers are available with either J1772 or NACS connectors. Make sure you know which connector your plug-in vehicle uses and the highest accepted charging rate so you get the right Enphase Level 2 charger for your home.

Cost savings

Charging your EV directly from solar doesn't cost you anything. Charging with grid power does. How much you can save from using solar to charge your EV depends on how much energy your system produces to cover your charging, how much you drive, and how much your utility charges per kWh. But the savings could be significant, especially since electricity rates are expected to climb over time. So if you add the capability to charge with solar, you'll be able to save even more in the future.

Integrating a smart Enphase IQ EV Charger with your Enphase Energy System could help you save even more. Through the Enphase Enlighten App, you can schedule charging sessions during your system’s peak production, as well as draw some of your backup battery capacity to help charge your EV the most efficiently and cost-effectively.

Clean energy

The other main benefit of using solar instead of grid energy is that you’re 100% guaranteed to charge with clean energy, whereas the power sources for your grid may include fossil fuels like natural gas and coal.  

Learn more about charging your EV with solar

It’s easy to integrate an EV charger when you have your solar energy system installed. Your installer can design your system to accommodate your full electricity needs and habits, including EV charging, as well as electricity rate plans and more. Then they’ll ensure your charger is properly installed and integrated with the rest of your system.  

In an Enphase Energy System with an IQ EV Charger, you’ll enjoy whole-home energy management through a single app, simplifying solar and charging control.

How many solar panels do I need to charge an EV with solar?

This depends on a few factors. The first is your charge rate. The most common Level 2 charging rate is about 6.6 kW, providing 20 to 25 miles of RPH. Enphase offers Level 2 home EV chargers that charge from 6.6 kW to 15.4 kW, which can deliver up to 60 miles of range per hour.  

So, to charge your EV directly from solar, your system must produce at least that much energy, plus enough to cover your home’s electricity needs. You’d also need to factor in the peak output of your solar array and how output changes over the course of the day. If your solar system isn’t producing enough to charge your car, your energy system will automatically use grid power to make up the difference.

How does charging my EV with solar affect my home energy consumption?

On average, a full BEV consumes about 5,000 kW per year, based on an average of 13,500 miles driven. So you can expect your home’s overall electricity consumption to grow by about that much.  

As noted in the previous question, you may not be able to use solar exclusively for all your EV charging needs, but you can use solar to charge your EV indirectly. Your solar array would need to be large enough to cover the amount of electricity both your EV and home use over the course of a year to offset what you draw from the grid.  

You can find out how much electricity your home uses annually on your utility bill. Combine the total home and anticipated EV charging usage, and choose a big enough solar system to produce at least that much energy annually. When your system produces excess energy, it exports it to the grid and you essentially "bank" those kilowatt hours of energy for use when it produces less energy (fall to spring). At the end of the year when it comes time for true-up with your utility, your production and consumption should come out about even for the year.  

We should note that if you have net metering from your utility, the rates at which they pay you for excess energy production will affect whether you break even monetarily. For instance, if you’re in California on NEM 3.0, you probably want solar batteries to store excess solar production to use during peak rate hours after sunset, and ideally through midnight when rates drop again. Then, if you charge off the grid, be sure to charge when rates are the lowest (Midnight to 3 pm, usually).

How do solar inverters work with EV charging?

When your smart EV charger and solar inverters are part of a smart, integrated system like an Enphase Energy System, you can control everything through the Enphase App. This allows you to schedule EV charging when your solar system is generating excess energy—more than your home consumes. Instead of sending extra power back to the grid, the system directs it to charge your EV’s battery.

Can I use my EV battery to power my home during an outage?

Potentially yes. This technology is called bidirectional charging and some EVs already have it. The EV can send power back to your home in case of a grid outage, but your home system must also be equipped to accept this energy. Traditionally, charging goes in one direction: from your home to your EV, converting AC to DC power for your car to store and use.

Bidirectional EV technology can convert the DC back into AC and put it into your home to keep the lights on and your fridge running.  

You may see bidirectional charging also referred to as V2X technology, which essentially means vehicle to everything. For instance:  

• Vehicle-to-home (V2H): Your EV powers your home during an outage.
• Vehicle-to-grid (V2G): Excess power from your EV helps stabilize the grid, and you may earn compensation for this contribution, similar to net metering.
• Vehicle-to-load (V2L): Already common today, it lets you power tools or appliances on the go, with a built-in power converter and 12-V plug in the vehicle.
• Vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V): Directly charge another plug-in vehicle.

Do I have to have a Wi-Fi connection?  

You don’t need Wi-Fi to charge your car. Basic chargers work "manually"—you plug in, and charging begins. Your vehicle may also have the ability to schedule charging through its app and connected system.  

However, if you want to control your charger via an app, you’ll need a Wi-Fi-enabled smart charger connected to your home network.

Can I use a solar EV charger with off-grid solar systems?

Yes, but your considerations for your charging speed and system size will be similar—and even more important—as with a grid-connected system, because you won’t have the grid as backup.  

Your off-grid system will need to be large enough to power your home, charge your backup batteries for overnight, and charge your EV at the rated speed of your charger (Level 2, from 3.3 kW up to 15.4 kW). Depending on the solar array size and charger speed, you may need to charge over a couple days to get a full battery.  

Level 2 EV chargers range in cost from $250 for basic models up to more than $1,000 for a smart, high-speed charger. Fortunately, you’re likely eligible for a 30% federal tax credit on your EV charger. (Eligibility is based on the income level for the U.S. census tract in which you live.) And many utilities and other local and regional organizations and governments provide additional incentives for installing home EV chargers. You can search for EV charger purchasing incentives in your area using the Enphase incentive tool here.

The payback period using solar to charge your EV depends on factors like your solar system’s size, electricity rates, and how often and how much you charge with solar.  

Using solar to charge your EV during the day will affect bill credits from net energy metering (NEM) if your utility offers that benefit. That's because using excess solar to charge your car instead of putting that power back into the grid means no bill credit for the excess. (But you'll avoid using grid power to charge your car, which contributes to your payback.)

In addition, many utilities offer a time-of-use EV rate that encourages charging during specific time periods when the cost per kWh is cheapest. This is often from midnight to 3 p.m.

Learn more about how to reduce the cost of installing your EV charger.

Using high-powered electrical equipment like an EV charger involves some risk, so take precautions to ensure safe charging.  

• Use chargers certified by a reputable third-party testing entity (like UL) and check for wear or damage before use. If you’re also using an adapter to charge, be sure it's also certified and in good shape.
• If using a plug-in charger, ensure the outlet is properly wired and the circuit on your main panel is rated for the charger's power. For instance, a Level 2 charger using 6.6 kW or 32 amps requires at least a dedicated 40-amp circuit to operate safely. You can't plug a Level 2 charger into a standard 120V outlet. You can only use the stock L1 charger that came with your car in a standard outlet.
• For outdoor charging, be sure to get a charger that's rated for outdoor use, including in rain. Some chargers are rated only for indoor use.

If you’re having a hardwired Level 2 charger installed or adding a dedicated 240V utility outlet for your charger, we strongly recommend hiring a certified electrician or installer to ensure proper installation, and circuits are tested to mitigate electrical fire risk.

If you’re installing a new charger, consider where and how (backward or forward) you’ll park your car, and the location of the charge port on your car, to ensure easy access to your charger. Most chargers have either 15- or 25-foot cables.

Installation time and cost depend on the complexity of the wiring and whether your main electrical panel needs an upgrade. We recommend getting a couple of estimates from certified installers. And if you decide on an Enphase Level 2 charger, you can click here to find a certified Enphase installer near you.

Your home EV charger may need maintenance over time. But in general, store the cable away from heat sources, check it for damage, and otherwise keep it clean. Most EV chargers include some type of limited warranty. Enphase covers its IQ chargers with a 5-year limited warranty.

With an Enphase Energy System and Enphase IQ EV Charger, the Enphase App makes it easy to both monitor and optimize your system, including your EV charging.

To start, choose a profile mode that fits how you want to use the system. Your Enphase Energy System has multiple profiles that automatically configure different aspects of your system to meet your energy goals:

• AI Optimization*: Maximizes your savings based on electricity rates, consumption patterns, and expected solar production.
• Self-Consumption: Maximizes use of your own solar power while reducing your dependence on electricity from the utility grid.
• Savings: Lowers your electricity bills by reducing consumption from the grid during peak rate hours.
• Full Backup: Keeps your batteries fully charged so you’re always prepared for an outage.

*Note: The AI Optimization profile is in Beta and only available to system owners in certain regions, such as California (USA), Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands. Differing import and export rules may apply to each region. More regions will be added soon.

Selecting a mode will help you determine the best time of day to charge your EV. How often you charge will depend on your goals for how much charging you want to offset directly with solar, and how often you’re driving, and the miles you drive. (You likely won’t need to charge every day.)  

Charging schedules can adapt seasonally, as solar production varies over the course of the year. Even on cloudy days, your system works to balance solar and grid power to ensure you're charging fully.

You can set up the Enphase App to receive Storm Guard weather alerts, which can help you prepare your home, including prioritizing charging your EV to full. If your solar panels generate more energy during a grid outage than you consume, you can use the excess to charge your EV, though probably not fully, unless you have a very large solar array. And if you have a backup battery, you may want to prioritize charging that with solar during the day to ensure you have power for your home overnight. But once your home battery is charged, if there’s still excess solar production, you can use that to add some range to your EV.