this post was submitted on 21 Aug 2024
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[Dormant] Electric Vehicles
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Switching to a NEMA 5-20 is easier and most modern houses are already wired to support it with no changes other than the plug which is a 5 minute job. (Don't just assume you're okay though, get it checked out) you also don't give up what might be your only accessible plug for 120v things.
That'll take you from 7kmh to 11/12kmh which doesn't seem like much but is actually quite a lot when the average commute in the USA is already less than what a 5-15 will do. Easily an extra 50km a day if its parked after work. The 5-20 also makes it more capable during the winter months.
I have a small commute into town and have been fine on a regular 120v plug the entire time.
The only time it's annoying is when we come home from a road trip and we didn't charge longer to get home with more. Then it takes days to build up (which is fine our commute is small) but for emergency situations I'd kinda rather have it be higher faster.
Edit: all that being said though... efficiency wise 120v takes a hit and $ per kw/h you are paying more to use 120v
A 20A circuit would require 12AWG wire (yellow romex) to maintain code in the USA and Canada. I can't say I see that as common garage wiring in the houses I've seen. Most have 14AWG (white romex) which would limit it to 15A outlet (120v or 240v are both fine though).
Are those modern or older?
I was under the impression it was standard now? Maybe Canada vs US difference?
Edit: not standard as in code, just that it's what usually happens now.
My house was built in the last 15 years and has white romex (14AWG) to the garage outlets. I don't know about a house built brand new today.
Well I might be wrong then, I thought 15 years would definitely be like that.