How to Speed Up Your EV Charging at Home

So, you’ve made the leap to an electric vehicle — congratulations! You’re saving money on fuel, reducing your carbon footprint, and enjoying a smoother, quieter ride. But there’s one thing that can quickly take the shine off the EV experience: plugging in at night and waking up to a car that’s barely charged.

Home EV charging should be simple and reliable. When it is not, it is frustrating. The good news is that slow or unreliable charging almost always has a fixable cause — and once you understand what is going on, you can take action.

In this guide, we will walk you through everything you need to know about speeding up your home EV charging: the different charger types, the most common culprits behind slow charging, and practical steps you can take today. And throughout, we will let you know how Right Electrical can help — whether that is troubleshooting your existing setup or installing a brand-new EV charging system from scratch.

Understanding Your Home Charging Options

Before diving into what might be slowing you down, it helps to understand the two main types of home EV charging.

Level 1 Charging (Standard 120V Outlet)

This is the most basic form of home charging — you simply plug your EV into a regular household outlet using the cable that came with your car. It is convenient and requires zero installation, but it is also the slowest option available. Expect to add roughly 3 to 5 miles of range per hour. If you drive 30 miles a day, you would need six to ten hours overnight just to top back up.

Level 1 is fine for occasional light use, but for most EV owners who rely on their car daily, it quickly becomes a bottleneck.

Level 2 Charging (240V Home Charger)

This is the gold standard for home EV charging. A Level 2 charger — also called an EVSE (Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment) — uses a 240V circuit and can deliver anywhere from 10 to 50 miles of range per hour, depending on your vehicle and charger output.

Most EV owners who do any meaningful amount of daily driving should have a Level 2 charger installed at home. It is a one-time investment that pays off quickly in convenience and flexibility. Not sure which system is right for you? Right Electrical can help you assess your needs and recommend the best fit — get a quote today!

Why Is My EV Charging So Slowly? Common Causes

Even with a Level 2 charger, you might notice your EV taking longer to charge than expected. Here are the most common reasons — and what you can do about them.

1. Your Home Electrical Panel Is Underpowered

Your home’s electrical panel has a maximum capacity, usually measured in amps. If your panel is already working hard to power your HVAC, water heater, appliances, and lighting, there may not be enough headroom to support a high-powered EV charger. If you notice lights flickering, circuit breakers tripping, or your charger running at reduced power, a panel upgrade could be the solution.

Right Electrical specialises in exactly this kind of assessment. Our licensed electricians can evaluate your panel and recommend upgrades to support your charging needs safely and efficiently.

2. The Dedicated Circuit Is the Wrong Size

A Level 2 charger requires its own dedicated circuit — meaning it should have its own breaker in your panel, not shared with other appliances. The circuit size matters enormously. A 30-amp circuit will charge at a different rate than a 50-amp circuit, and using the wrong gauge wiring for the load can create both performance issues and safety hazards.

Right Electrical ensures every installation is done to code, with the right circuit size for your specific charger and vehicle. It is the kind of detail that makes a real difference.

3. Wiring That Is Too Long or Too Thin

Electrical resistance is real — the longer or thinner the wiring run from your panel to your charger, the more voltage drop you can experience. Even a small drop in voltage can reduce charging speed noticeably. If your garage or carport is far from your main panel, you will need appropriately sized wire to compensate for the distance.

This is not a DIY fix — running new wire through walls, attics, or underground often requires permits and a licensed electrician. But it is absolutely worth doing right the first time.

4. Your Charger Settings Are Limiting Output

Many modern EV chargers come with adjustable amperage settings, either through a physical dial or a smartphone app. Sometimes these are set conservatively at the factory or during installation. If your charger is set to 16 amps when your circuit can support 40 amps, you are leaving a lot of speed on the table.

Check your charger documentation to see if you can safely increase the output setting. When in doubt, have a professional verify your circuit can handle the higher load before adjusting.

5. Your Vehicle Onboard Charger Has Its Own Limits

Your EV also has a built-in onboard charger that converts AC power from the wall into DC power for the battery. This component has its own maximum capacity — for example, some EVs can only accept 7.2 kW even if your home charger can deliver 11 kW. In that case, the car itself is the bottleneck, not your home setup.

Check your vehicle specifications for its maximum onboard charging rate. If you are planning to upgrade your vehicle in the future, it is worth installing infrastructure that can handle more from the start.

6. Outdated or Faulty Wiring in Your Home

Older homes sometimes have wiring that was never designed to handle modern electrical loads. Aluminum wiring (common in homes built in the 1960s and 70s), undersized service feeds, or deteriorated insulation can all cause charging inefficiency — or worse, become safety hazards.

If your home is more than 30 years old, it is a good idea to have a licensed electrician assess your wiring before adding a high-draw device like an EV charger. Right Electrical can identify any concerns and address them before they become problems.

7. A Faulty or Malfunctioning Charger

Like any piece of electrical equipment, EV chargers can develop faults. A damaged charging cable, a failing internal component, or a charger that was not installed correctly can all lead to slow or unreliable charging — or no charging at all.

If your charger used to work well but has slowed down unexpectedly, or is throwing error codes, it is time to have it looked at. Right Electrical can diagnose and repair faults with your existing EV charger, or help you source and install a replacement if needed.

Right Electrical is here to help troubleshoot your existing EV charger and fix whatever is slowing you down. Or if you are ready for a brand-new installation, we will handle everything from assessment to final connection. We love to help you get your electrical job done Right — get a quote today!

Tips to Maximise Your Charging Speed

Once you have ruled out or fixed the issues above, here are some practical tips to get the most out of your home charging setup:

• Upgrade to a Level 2 charger if you have not already — the difference in charging speed is night and day compared to a standard outlet.
• Schedule charging during off-peak hours. Many utility companies offer time-of-use rates where electricity is cheaper during evenings or overnight. Smart chargers can be programmed to take advantage of this automatically.
• Keep your battery between 20% and 80% for everyday use. Charging slows significantly as the battery approaches 100% to protect battery health, so maintaining this range maximises your average charging speed.
• Keep your charging cable and connector clean and dry. Dirty or corroded connectors can cause resistance and reduce charging efficiency.
• Make sure your smart charger firmware is up to date. Manufacturers regularly release updates that can improve charging performance and reliability.
• Consider a load management system if you have multiple high-draw appliances. These systems dynamically allocate power to your charger based on what else is running in your home, preventing overloads and optimising speed.

When to Call a Professional

Some EV charging issues are simple to fix yourself — adjusting a setting, updating firmware, cleaning a connector. But others genuinely require a licensed electrician. You should call a professional if:

• Your circuit breakers are tripping when charging
• You notice burning smells, discolouration, or unusual heat around your charger or outlet
• Your charger is throwing persistent error codes you cannot resolve
• You want to upgrade from Level 1 to Level 2 charging
• Your home is older and you are unsure about its electrical capacity
• You want to install a dedicated circuit for a new or relocated charger
• Your charging speed has declined without an obvious cause

This is exactly where Right Electrical shines. Our team of licensed electricians has extensive experience with residential EV charging systems — from diagnosing mysterious faults to full new installations. We will give you an honest assessment, explain your options clearly, and get the job done safely and to code. We love to help you get your electrical job done Right.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should it take to fully charge my EV at home?

It depends on your charger type and vehicle battery size. With a Level 1 charger (120V), expect 24 to 40+ hours for a full charge on a larger battery. With a Level 2 charger (240V), most EVs can be fully charged overnight — typically 6 to 12 hours. If your charging times seem significantly longer than this, there may be an issue worth investigating.

Is it safe to leave my EV plugged in overnight?

Yes, absolutely. Modern EVs and quality home chargers are designed for overnight charging. The car’s battery management system automatically stops drawing power once the battery is full. Just make sure your charger and wiring are properly installed and in good condition.

Do I need a permit to install a Level 2 EV charger at home?

In most jurisdictions, yes — installing a new 240V circuit requires an electrical permit and must be done by a licensed electrician. This protects you and ensures the work is done safely and to code. Right Electrical handles all permit requirements as part of our installation service.

Can I install a Level 2 charger myself?

Some homeowners with electrical experience attempt DIY 240V installations, but it is not recommended. Working with high-voltage circuits carries serious safety risks, and unpermitted work can create problems with your homeowner insurance and when selling your home. A professional installation is fast, safe, and gives you peace of mind. Get a quote from Right Electrical today!

What is the difference between a 30-amp and a 50-amp charger?

The amperage determines how fast your charger can deliver power. A 30-amp Level 2 charger delivers about 7.2 kW, while a 50-amp charger delivers around 9.6 to 11.5 kW. In real-world terms, that is roughly 25 miles per hour vs 35+ miles per hour of added range. The right choice depends on your vehicle onboard charger capacity and daily driving needs.

My charger was working fine, but suddenly it is charging really slowly. What happened?

There are several possible causes: a software glitch in the charger (try a reset), a loose connection, a tripped breaker, or a developing fault in the charger itself. If a reset does not solve it, it is time to have it professionally inspected. Right Electrical can diagnose and fix issues with your existing EV charger — do not wait for a small problem to become a bigger one.

How much does it cost to install a Level 2 EV charger at home?

Costs vary depending on your home electrical infrastructure, the location of the charger, and the model you choose. Right Electrical provides transparent, competitive quotes with no hidden surprises. Contact us today for a personalised quote!

Ready to Charge Faster?

Home EV charging should be one of the biggest conveniences of owning an electric vehicle — waking up every morning with a full battery, ready to go. When slow charging is getting in the way of that, it is worth taking the time to find out why and fix it.

Whether you need help troubleshooting your existing setup, upgrading your electrical panel, or installing a brand-new Level 2 charging system, Right Electrical is here for you. We understand EV charging systems inside and out, and we are committed to getting every job done safely, efficiently, and to the highest standard.

We love to help you get your electrical job done Right. Contact Right Electrical today to troubleshoot, repair, or install your home EV charger — and get back to charging with confidence. Get a quote today!