Home EV charger options
Understand charger levels, features and purchase options
If you're shopping for a charger for your home or business, there are lots of manufacturers and models to choose from. Be sure to select a charger that's safety certified, and consider having it installed by a licensed electrical contractor.
Watch: Home charging 101
Curious about charging an EV home? Dave helps you navigate your options.
The 3 levels of chargers
Electric vehicles (EVs) require a connection to an electrical system to charge. There are three different methods.
- Uses a connection to a standard 120V outlet
- Charges 8 km per hour
- Takes about 12 to 20 hours to fully charge a battery EV (6 to 12 hours for a plug-in hybrid)
- Used mostly in homes
- Uses a connection to a 240V outlet, like those used by ovens and clothes dryers
- Charges 30 km per hour
- Takes about 6 to 14 hours to fully charge a battery EV (4 to 8 hours for a plug-in hybrid)
- Used in homes, businesses, common areas and public charging sites
- Uses a direct current connection to an electrical system
- Charging power varies from 50 kilowatts (kW) to 350 kW depending on hardware
- Used mostly in businesses and public charging sites
Home EV charger features
Features related to your vehicle(s)
- Connector — Most EVs have the "J plug" (J1772) which is used for home and Level 2 charging. For fast charging, there are two plugs: the "CCS", the more common one, and the "CHAdeMO". Tesla has the North American Charging Standard (NACS) plug, but can use the "J plug" or "CHAdeMO" with adapters.
- Single or dual port — Select chargers are available with two plugs. Some allow two vehicles to charge at the same time if there's sufficient electrical capacity.
Features related to your space
- Cord length — Cords are available in a range of lengths, the most common being 5 metres (16 feet) and 7.6 metres (25 feet). Shorter cables are easier to store. Longer cables provide flexibility if you need to park away from the charger.
- Indoor or outdoor — Many chargers are designed to function inside or outside, but not all are. If you need to charge outside, make sure the model you choose is rated to work in the rain, snow, and cold temperatures.
- Portable or permanent — Some chargers only need to plug into an outlet while others are designed to be installed on a wall.
Features related to your preferences
- Amperage — Level 2 chargers are available in models that deliver between 15 and 80 Amps. The higher the amperage the faster the charging.
- Networked — Some chargers will connect to the internet so drivers can start, stop, and monitor charging with a smartphone.
- Smart EV chargers — Smart EV chargers ensure the most efficient charging. They automatically adjust the amount of electricity being sent to an EV based on timing and load factors. Some smart EV chargers can also provide you with data on your usage.
Electrical considerations
Things you need to know about your electrical service
- How much current (amperage) will the EV need to charge?
- What is the capacity of your existing electrical service panel (e.g., 100-Amp, 200-Amp, etc.)? Note that a 400-Amp service panel is considered an "uncommon upgrade". Learn more about electrical service extensions.
- Is there a 240V circuit installed and available to be used?
- Is there room in the electrical service panel for a new double-pole 240V circuit breaker?
- Where will the charging station be installed?
How an electrician can help
- Upgrading your service is often not required when adding an EV charger. Speak with your electrical contractor about how they determine the spare electrical capacity at your home.
- We recommend they use your most recent 12 months of actual meter data to assess your spare electrical capacity instead of the traditional approach, which uses a forecasted estimate.
- You can download your most recent 12 months of meter data by logging into your MyHydro account.
- If you do need a service upgrade, your electrician will manage that process for you. Learn more about the online application process for electrical service connection requests.
If you need help finding a certified electrician, you can submit an EV electrician referral request.
Purchase options
Manufacturers and distributors
Some manufacturers of EV chargers and other electrical equipment allow you to purchase a charger directly from them. Most allow you to purchase their products via electrical distributors.
Contact them via phone or email, or visit a location near you, to learn about which charger will best meet your needs and preferences.
Electrical contractors
An electrician can help you make an educated decision about which model is right for you. They also typically work directly with the electrical distributors that sell chargers. We suggest talking to your electrician about which charger will work for you during the quoting process for charger installation work at your property.
General online retail
Some large online marketplaces have a wide selection of EV chargers for purchase. To be eligible for the EV charger rebates, make sure that the model meets all of the eligibility requirements. If you're not sure, you can see if it's listed in our database of rebate-eligible EV chargers.
Ensure that the product listing is offered by the registered brand and not a third-party reseller or a counterfeit brand. You should also confirm that the condition is new, not used or refurbished.
Check the manufacturer's website for links back to the online marketplace for reassurance any listings are legitimate.
In-store retail
Some large home improvement and automotive equipment retailers are beginning to sell EV chargers. Still, the selection of retailers with chargers in stock is currently limited in Canada. Call your local retailer or visit their website to check availability.
Dealerships
Most vehicle dealerships now include a Level 1 EV charger (and in some cases a Level 2 charger) for free when you purchase an EV. Check with your local dealership to see if this is the case.
EV charger rebates
Rebates are available to help homes and workplaces across B.C. get ready for electric vehicles (EVs). The program is funded by the Government of B.C. and administered by BC Hydro and FortisBC.
If you are looking to purchase and install a Level 2 EV charger at home, you may qualify for a Home EV Charger Rebate. These rebates can cover up to 50% of the cost, to a maximum of $350 for the purchase and installation of a charger. Offer applies for chargers installed at single-family homes, row homes, duplexes.
BC Hydro is also offering funding for the installation of an eligible smart EV charger. This offer includes up to $250 for single-family home customers. If you're installing an eligible smart EV charger, we'll automatically add the top-up to your rebate.
Standalone EV charger rebate
A rebate to purchase and install Level 2 networked EV chargers at residential parking spaces in your complex. This can cover up to 50% of the costs to a maximum of $1,400 per charger. A maximum of $14,000 in rebates is available per complex. Pre-approval is required before purchasing and installing an eligible EV charger.
EV Ready rebates
Strata or complex owners can get a rebate of 75% of the costs to create an EV Ready plan, up to $3,000. You can also receive up to 50% of the infrastructure and installation costs to implement the plan. This offer is available to a maximum of $600 per parking stall, and a project maximum of $120,000.
Funding is available to support purchasing EV chargers. Up to 50% of the charger and installation costs to a maximum of $1,400 per charger. Available for a total of up to $14,000 per complex.
Up to $2,000 per charger to purchase and install eligible Level 2 networked EV chargers for employee use. Available to a maximum of $14,000 per workplace.