A 13A outlet can be used to charge an EV. A 13A plug, sometimes known as a granny charger, is typically included with electric vehicles by their manufacturers.
These chargers come in handy when you can’t connect to a power source. If you’re going to use a 13A charger, though, you need to make sure the plug is suitable.
There are approximately 300,000 electric cars and 600,000 plug-in hybrid vehicles on the road. This indicates that the number of EVs being purchased is rapidly increasing. However, most people who buy an electric car have concerns about charging.
13AMP Charger for Electric Vehicles
When you purchase an electric vehicle (EV), you will always be advised to have a charging station placed in your driveway by a qualified technician.
This guarantees that the power source utilized has been risk-free and will result in a more suitable charging process. It is highly recommended that you use a communal charging point whenever you are not at home.
Most electric vehicle manufacturers advise against relying solely on a granny charger to power an EV.
Most electric cars (EVs) are equipped with a portable household charger, which is meant to power the vehicle when accessibility to a charging outlet is unavailable.
To lessen the likelihood that the plug will overheat, we suggest using this manual to check the rigidity of the fusing clips every six months or if the plug feels warm.
Factors to Keep in Mind with a 13 AMP Charger for Electric Cars
Power output and charging rate are the most important considerations when comparing different types of wall chargers.
Most of them will have a maximum charging power of 7.4 kilowatts. It is possible to obtain more power than this, but you will typically find it at commercial charge points, where the power input is more than what can be provided by your home.
You also can select a lesser power rate; however, if you do this, keep in mind that it will take a lot more time to charge your vehicle fully.
Also read: Best Electric Car Blankets – Detailed Review for First Time Buyers
Can a Standard Electrical Socket Be Used to Charge an Electric Vehicle Kept at Home?
Many customers who purchase electric vehicles are under the impression that they cannot charge them at home. After all, an electric car is a massive piece of machinery that demands a significant amount of power.
Nevertheless, you may charge it using a standard wall outlet. Most manufacturers of electric vehicles provide their products with a three-pin domestic plug socket that can be plugged into a standard outlet.
Three Types of Charging
- Slow charging
- Fast charging
- Rapid charging
Slow Chargers
A single-phase charger that provides a 13A or 16A current is considered a slow charger. The term “13A charger” refers to an adapter that can be plugged into a classic 13A socket and delivers 11A of current to the device being charged.
Fast Chargers
Charging at 7-22 kW is regarded as fast charging, and it can fully recharge most models in three to four hours. 32 A is the minimum necessary current. This is the charging method utilized by most public and commercial charging points.
Rapid Chargers
Note that a 32-amp rapid charge is incompatible with all-electric vehicles. Despite this, they can still be attached to a fast charger (provided that the appropriate connector is used), and they will draw the proper amount of electricity for their capacity.
Most modern electric cars can fully recharge approximately 80 percent in 30 minutes using a rapid charging unit that operates at 43-120 kW.
They may provide either direct current (50 to 120 kW) or alternating current (AC) to the vehicle (43kW). They typically use a tethered cable fitted with a connection that cannot be detached.
Over-Charging With 13AMP Chargers for Electric Cars
Like the situation with fast charging, rapid charging is not compatible with all-electric vehicles. While the relatively brief charge times make this choice very convenient, it is important to note that frequent charging can shorten the battery’s life.
Charging Electric Cars with a 13AMP Charger at Home
Even though charging an electric car from a standard socket is feasible, doing so is not necessarily the best option. There are other, more convenient ways to do so.
The idea of charging electric vehicles (EVs) at home is relatively new, and most electrical connections used in houses are not meant to charge EVs.
Although, having installed a specialized charger allows you to charge at a Level 2 standard, which, depending on the energy storage capacity of your battery, might take anywhere from zero to fully charged in a few hours.
It will take your electric vehicle anything from eight to twelve hours to charge from the mains, and you will need to leave it plugged in overnight.
The functionality of the battery used in electric cars is comparable to that of other types of electric batteries. If you charge it too frequently or get it too close to being full, it can decrease the battery’s efficiency, reducing its life and performance.
When you wish to charge your electric vehicle at home, you should only plug it in when you intend to charge it. Because you have more command over the amount and how frequently you change your electric vehicle (EV), the battery life can be extended.
Installing an Electric Car Charger at Home
The installation of a dedicated electric vehicle charger in your home contributes to an increase in the property’s resale value. As the use of electric cars continues to rise, more property owners are willing to shell out extra for homes equipped with wall box chargers.
The resale value of your home can increase noticeably after you have it installed. One of the most significant advantages of being able to charge an electric vehicle at one’s residence is an increase in convenience.
If your electric car runs out of energy, you do not need to go to one of the nearby charging stations every time. With nothing but a three-phase electrical supply, you can charge your electric vehicle anytime you want at home and yet experience the same rapid charging speed as you would at a public charging station.
Check out: Best Portable Electric Car Heaters – Buyer’s Guide
Will Purchasing the 13AMP Charger Result in Lower Overall Expenses?
If you charge your electric vehicle during non-peak hours, several utilities offer special pricing plans for EV charging that can save you money (usually at night).
You can check with your local utility to see whether such a plan is offered, and you can also get a charger with built-in scheduling so that you won’t have to stay until late at night to plug in.
Even while many cars have built-in support for scheduling charging, doing so from within the vehicle could prevent you from being able to charge when you are away from home and on the move.
Your community’s power company might also provide incentives and rebates for people who charge their cars at home. Electric vehicle chargers typically need to be “smart” and equipped with Wi-Fi to take advantage of these rebates and discounts.
The 13AMP Charger is the One for Your Electric Car!
If your granny cable does not extend far enough to access the socket, you can bridge the gap with a heavy-duty extension cable rated for 13A current. You should expect to achieve approximately eight range miles per hour.
Extension leads with ratings lower than 13A should not be used because their sole purpose is to supply electricity to devices and appliances that draw a low current. Never try to charge an electric vehicle with a household extension cord that has multiple sockets.
Some manufacturers view extension leads as inherently dangerous because of the fire risk. Most adapters are not built to be employed for the time necessary to recharge an electric vehicle, which poses a risk of overheating the cords.
In addition, you should only utilize 3-pin sockets in which you have complete faith. The architecture of 3-pin sockets prevents them from providing maximum current for extended periods.
Most electric vehicle manufacturers do not suggest using extension cords since they do not influence the quality level provided by third-party items. When asked how to use a product, it is best to get instructions from the company that made it.
Which Electric Charger is Better for Your Electric Car?
Although all Level 2 chargers utilize 240V, the rate at which a battery may be charged will vary depending on the amperage, also known as the electrical current.
Your need for speed will vary depending on the range of your electric vehicle, the length of your commute, and the way you drive: if you have a car with a shorter range, a longer commute, or if you always drive at the maximum speed, it’s possible that you could profit from an accelerated charge at home.
Most electric vehicles can receive approximately 32 amps, which increases to approximately 25 miles of range each hour of charging; hence, a charging station that provides 32 amps is an ideal choice for many automobiles.
You may also want to significantly boost your pace or get ready for your next vehicle by purchasing an accelerated 50-amp charger that can add approximately 37 miles of range in an hour. Both options are available to you.
Obtaining the appropriate charger is the first step. Utilizing it in practice is a different challenge. Some “smart” electric vehicle chargers have Wi-Fi connectivity, which allows them to link to an app that allows users to control charging, create a charging plan, and receive helpful reminders.
If you are a data nerd or just intrigued by how much you invest in charging, an app can assist you in tracking charging costs and distance traveled all in one place without extra effort. In addition, smart chargers can automatically update themselves with additional functions.
Why Stick to the 13AMP Charger for Your Electric Car
The current needed to charge your vehicle can be supplied by an ordinary household socket, which typically delivers 13 amps.
It is a good idea to verify double, but the probability is rather excellent that the equipment you are using for charging can manage 13 amps. Remember that this is a gradual price increase, not a sudden one (like when you have a dead car battery and charge it overnight).
The battery can be recharged during the evening and has enough power to last through a typical workday, including traveling to and from work and conducting errands. On the other hand, the speed can be too slow for your requirements if you have a long commute to work every day.
Our Final Thoughts
It is more practical to charge an electric vehicle (EV) at home, which in turn makes driving an EV simpler than it has ever been.
If you currently charge your electric car at home by connecting it to a wall outlet that operates at 110 volts, upgrading to a “Level 2” home charger that operates at 240 volts and provides a quicker charging rate can improve the speed of charging by anywhere from 12 to 60 miles per hour.
You can maximize the use of your electric vehicle and make more of your short-distance and long-distance commutes in an electric car if you have the standard 13Amp charger for your electric car.
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My name is Matthew, staying in Seattle, Washington. Electric Vehicles (Electric Cars & Electric bikes) caught my attention for the last few years and my love for electric cars and bikes is everlasting. I spend many of my weekends traveling to various places all over various cities with my electric vehicle (e-bike and electric car). Here I am sharing my expertise, experience, and invaluable information about electric cars and electric bikes. Check out more.