Can I Use My Dryer Outlet to Charge My EV?

Electric vehicles are all the rage until they’re not. The downside to these environmentally friendly vehicles is their most advantageous feature. There are many reasons why vehicle owners might consider using a domestic outlet to charge their vehicles, whether you’re looking to cut the cost of DC charging stations or perhaps you’re stranded at a friend’s house with a dead car in the driveway and nothing but your trusty Level 1 AC charging cable.

A lack of options will always lead to interesting choices, such as charging your EV on a dryer outlet or using an extension lead when your EV’s Level 1 AC cable can’t reach an outlet.

We’ll discuss whether you can charge your EV on a domestic outlet, what the risks are, what you should look out for, and other options for an EV power source.

Dryer Outlets and Trickle Charging

When it comes to the physical possibility of using a domestic outlet to charge your EV, it is possible. However, vehicle manufacturers and electricians advise against using a domestic outlet for charging your Electric Vehicle. They have even coined a term for it: trickle charging. This term refers to charging your Electrical Vehicle with an extremely low energy-producing power source where the energy is a trickle compared to what the vehicle usually uses.

A few reasons why you shouldn’t plug your EV into your domestic outlet are:

• Electrical issues. The main reason you shouldn’t use your domestic outlets for an EV is the high risk of overloading your electric system. Overloaded outlets can cause tripping of your electric circuits or, at worst, an electrical fire.
• EV Damage. While an EV’s battery is much more versatile than a cell phone’s, trickle charging is one way to decrease the lifespan of your battery. Vehicle manufacturers recommend only trickle-charging your EV if there is no other option. And if forced to do so, it is recommended to speak to an expert beforehand to ensure you won’t be causing damage.

A Domestic Outlet Vs. EV

To explain this further, Electric Vehicles draw an average of 50kW – 100kW of electricity to charge. When you compare this to heavy-duty household appliances and stoves, the difference puts a lot more into perspective. Here are a few heavy-duty appliances and their average required power intakes for scale:

• A fridge requires 1kW – 2kW per day
• Washers can use 0.9kW per washing cycle
• Dryers are likely to use 3kW – 4kW per cycle

It’s all about the numbers, and when comparing an EV to a heavy-duty appliance, it’s startling. However, if your only option is to trickle charge, what quality charge can you get from using your dryer outlet to charge your EV?

Researchers have estimated that it can take anything from 12 to 48 hours to charge your Electric Vehicle when plugging it into a domestic outlet, and this can differ depending on a few factors:

• The volts that your outlet can produce. A standard household outlet can only produce, on average, 120 volts. And drawing on the maximum volts for a long time can damage your electrical system.
• How many watts your vehicle requires? It can depend on what make or model your EV is, but it averages about 7000 Watts.
• Whether you need to stop charging mid-way due to unforeseen circumstances, such as a power outage, a storm, or the wires in your cable overheating.

The reason you might need to use a household outlet can be different depending on how urgent it is. You should know what to look for if you’re forced to use a domestic outlet.

Risks and Warning Signs

When it comes to trickle charging, there are a few things you should never do, such as using an extension cord to charge your EV. If this is the last option, then it is better to pay to use a DC charging station because there are no advantages.

If you’re forced, and by that we truly mean there is no other option other than plugging your EV into the same outlet as one of your household appliances, then there are a few things you need to keep an eye out for. These include the following.

• The cable or power source heating could be a symptom of an overloaded outlet or possibly burned-out wires.
• Tripping of the circuit board. Usually, this is another sign of overloaded outlets and may even mean that the pull of the charging cable is too much for the entire electrical circuit.
• Sparks or zapping. Signs of sparks or zapping could mean your outlet is moments away from an electrical fire.

With all this in mind, are the dangers worth the hassle? It will always remain the vehicle owners’ choice. Read on for a few less dangerous options for charging, depending on your situation.

Emergency Tips and Tricks

Before you give up, there is still hope. Whether it is a cost-effective solution you’re looking for or a way to calm range anxiety (the fear of being stranded without battery power), there are still options available to ensure you are never without a full charge on your EV.

Range anxiety is a thing. Being in the middle of nowhere with an EV a few minutes from powering down is a fierce terror. If this is something that you are worried about, then we might have a solution for you.

Researchers have put together a plan for ensuring Electric Vehicle owners’ peace of mind regarding range anxiety. There are aftermarket portable batteries available for EVs. These are the same size as a suitcase and only take up a little space when traveling. Most importantly, these are the best option for emergency charge sessions, and some can afford up to 80kW of charge time. Depending on your EV, it can range from 20-40 miles.

Consider a solar-powered generator if your concerns align with lowering household costs and your EV risks your budget. A solar-powered generator will allow you to charge your electric car for almost nothing after set-up costs.

As an EV owner, you need to be prepared for all eventualities. Hopefully, our article has enlightened you for the future.