In addition to the boilerplate annual energy usage, the U.s.a. DOE'due south Part of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy has as well compared electrical vehicle power draw to some other common electric appliances (there must not be a lot of other things to practise at the DoE office these days).

In most cases, electric vehicles need to exist supplied by upwardly to several kW of power, which is actually beneath most electric furnaces when in operation, although there are some plug-in models with 10 or 20 kW home systems (such as Teslas with double on-board chargers).

Similarly in Europe, the highest habitation EV charging units finish at ~22 kW (3-phase), such as the case with the Renault ZOE. College powers output tin can withal occur, but it is extremely rare anywhere in the globe.

Power Draw for a Typical Appliance (source: energy.gov)

Power Describe for a Typical Appliance (source: energy.gov)

If y'all are looking to purchase an electrical vehicle, and are considering what power level to install in your abode today - it would exist skilful to have 7.vii kW (32 A @ 240 VAC) or more than arrangement on hand, even if your current plug-in choice can take all that juice (you might be able to apply it in the future). In Europe however, it's a smart thought to have 3-phase installation, good for 11 kW or 22 kW to be ZOE-proof, or at least future-proof (as currently most models are still equipped with single-phase chargers).

Electric vehicles can be charged at power draws comparable to diverse household appliances. Nigh electrical vehicles charging at dwelling on a 240-volt level 2 charger will draw about 7,200 watts or less.

For comparison, a typical electric furnace draws nearly 10,000 watts and a water heater uses four,500 watts. The power describe for an electric vehicle is express past either the electrical vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) or the vehicle's onboard charger which limits the rate of electricity the vehicle can accept.

Many first-generation plug-in vehicles have onboard chargers limited to 3,600 watts, similar to the ability depict for a typical home air-conditioning arrangement, while newer electrical vehicles take increased onboard charging rates. Some owners utilise just a standard 120-volt household outlet (level i charging) which has a very wearisome charge charge per unit and depression power draw compared to the level ii charging. There are some electric vehicles, such as those produced by Tesla, that allow for even greater dwelling house charging speeds and higher power draws similar to an electric furnace. While an electric vehicle can draw a considerable amount of electricity when charging, the overall fuel toll for an electrical vehicle is lower than a comparable gasoline vehicle.

Notes:

  • Level ane charging assumes the 12-amp setting is selected.
  • In colder climates, an electric furnace may depict twenty,000 watts.
  • For comparison, a 2013 Nissan LEAF is rated at 115 MPGe (miles per gallon equivalent) and a conventional 2013 Nissan Versa is rated at 35 MPG. This results in a price of 3.8 cents per mile for the Foliage and half dozen.7 cents per mile for the Versa at 13 cents per kW-hr and $two.35 per gallon of gasoline.

Source: energy.gov