Can You Charge an Electric Car at Home?

Electric vehicles, which do not require fossil fuels, stand out as an environment-friendly mobility solution. These vehicles contain large rechargeable batteries, just like smartphones, and can be charged using a cable connection.
Yes—charging an electric car at home is not only possible, but also highly practical for daily use. Although home charging may sometimes seem slower than public fast-charging stations, it allows you to start your day with a fully charged battery every morning.

How to Charge an Electric Car at Home

There are two main home-charging methods:

Standard Home Outlet (220V AC wall socket)
All you need to do is plug the vehicle’s charging cable directly into the power outlet. This method works well if you do not have a strict time limitation, as a full charge may take longer than dedicated charging hardware.

Wallbox (Dedicated Home EV Charger)
A wallbox charger provides faster, safer, and more efficient charging, and becomes operational after a short professional installation. To charge your vehicle, simply connect the charging cable to the wallbox, which itself is wired to your home’s electrical panel or power source.
It is critical to ensure that both the wallbox and the charging cable are compatible with your vehicle model and charging standard to maintain electrical safety and charging stability.

Can You Charge an EV Using a Regular Home Outlet?

Yes, you can charge an EV using a 220-volt household outlet, but you should expect a longer charging duration, typically ranging from 8 to 20 hours, depending on the battery size and charging conditions.

How to Install a Home EV Charging Point

A professional electrician can complete the installation within approximately 3–4 hours. If your property uses solar energy systems, the charging station can also be integrated into the solar battery/inverter infrastructure.
Key steps include:

Select a charger that supports 3.7–22 kW (Level-2 home charging power)

Verify that your electrical panel and circuit breakers can handle the load, as older installations or low-amp fuses may trip during charging

Upgrade electrical capacity if necessary

Mount the wallbox in a garage or parking area and connect it to the grid or power source

What Is the Cost of Charging an EV at Home?

The cost varies based on battery capacity and electricity tariff.
For example, with a 74 kWh battery on a 3.11 TL/kWh tariff, a full charge costs approximately 233 TL (around 233 TRY). Night tariffs may reduce this cost.
Note that wallbox hardware, charging cable (if purchased separately), and professional installation carry additional one-time costs.

How to Calculate Home Charging Time

Charging time depends on:

Battery size (kWh)

Charger power (kW)

Ambient conditions

Examples:

A 60 kWh battery using a 7 kW wallbox charges in approximately 8–9 hours

Using a standard home outlet, charging time may reach 20 hours

Cold weather may increase charging time by up to 20%

Do You Need a Special Charging Cable to Charge an EV at Home?

Yes. Most EVs come with a standard charging cable compatible with home outlets and wallboxes. If you need a new cable, always choose one that matches your vehicle model and charging standard.

How to Save Energy While Charging an EV at Home

You can reduce charging costs by:

Using night electricity tariffs

Installing a Level-2 wallbox to minimize energy loss and improve efficiency

Integrating the charger into a solar power system, which can reduce long-term fuel/charging costs significantly