Half of households may need costly panel upgrade to use Level 2 EV chargers: Here’s a workaround

A 240-volt Level 2 AC home charger is becoming a necessity to make electric vehicle ownership practical, but not all homes are ready for one. Multinational equipment supplier Siemens claims to have another solution.

Siemens recently announced a partnership with ConnectDER (pronounced “connector”) to develop a proprietary plug-in adapter for EV charging. This will allow electric vehicle owners to connect the charger directly to the meter socket, bypassing the electrical service panel. This can save homeowners between 60% and 80% on charger installation costs, Siemens said in a press release.

Those potential savings are the result of a much simpler installation process. Siemens claims that nearly half of home consoles in the US will need an upgrade to install a typical Level 2 charger, meaning a 7-11 kw charger requires 40-60 amps.

2023 Nissan Leaf

Anything that makes home charging cheaper and easier could help drive EV adoption. Often, the cost of the necessary electrical upgrades can deter some people from installing chargers at home — and thus getting an electric vehicle. And in general, lack of awareness to charge batteries at home are preventing EV adoption.

Those with dedicated level 2 chargers much more satisfied with an EV experience than those using a portable charging cord, one study found. This could be a solution to help bridge that gap.

Unplug Siemens ConnectDER watch collar

Plugged in the Siemens ConnectDER watch neck

Under the terms of the partnership, ConnectDER will design and manufacture the plug-in adapter exclusively for Siemens. ConnectDER also showed off other devices that make the most of existing home layouts — such as a system that will split a 240-volt circuit between two EVs.

While this is not the first time we have seen the ConnectDER system, the Siemens investment is promising in that it has the importance of a multinational supplier and accessory manufacturer to help overcome the problem. Resolve any regulatory issues.

Electrify America HomeStation

Siemens Invest in Electrify America at the end of June — part of the first investment since the initial round and the first from a source other than the Volkswagen Group. wireless charging technology WiTricity leader.