January 23, 2025
Will an 80-Amp EV Charger Charge My EV Faster?
7 Min. Read
Whether you currently own an electric vehicle (EV) and have for some time, are new to the world of driving an electric vehicle, or are interested in purchasing one in the future, understanding EV charging amperage is a key factor in determining how quickly and efficiently your vehicle charged. It can even help you save money when it comes to buying and installing an EV charging station!
With chargers offering amperage levels ranging from 32 to 80 amps, it might seem logical to assume that the highest amperage will consistently deliver the fastest charge — however, this isn’t necessarily always the case and using an 80-amp charger doesn’t mean faster charging if your EV isn’t designed to handle that level of charge.
In this article, we explore what amperage is, how it effects EV charging speed, and if an 80-amp charger really means faster EV charging.
What is Amperage?
Amperage is a measure of how much electricity runs through a circuit. You can think of it as the flow rate of electric current—the higher the amperage, the faster the necessary amount of electricity will reach the appliance or battery it powers.
With this in mind, in theory it would be natural to assume that having a higher amperage EV charger would mean faster charging, but is that actually how it works in practice?
So Does Higher Amperage Mean Faster Charging?
When it comes to EV charging and how electrical current operates in the real world, both the EV charger and the vehicle have their own amperage limits.
To ensure safety and efficiency, the charger automatically adjusts to match your EV’s specifications, preventing it from delivering more power than your battery can handle and only enabling current to flow at the highest level that the EV charger and electric vehicle battery share.
So while a higher amperage EV charger can support faster charging for your EV, it’s not the only factor at play. The speed of your charge depends on several other aspects, including:
Your EV’s onboard charger: Most EVs have a limit on how much current they can accept. For example, if your EV’s onboard charger caps at 32 amps, using an 80-amp EV charging station won’t make a difference.
Circuit capacity: Your home’s electrical system needs to support the charger’s amperage without overloading. Upgrading your electrical panel might be necessary to handle high-amperage chargers safely. The general rule is that breakers only allow 80% of your electrical panel’s available and dedicated capacity to be used, so if you are installing an 80-amp EV charger, this means having 100 amps of physical and electrical capacity available in your panel.
Charging infrastructure: While the quality of materials to be used for EV charging plays an essential role in the safety and longevity of an EV charger installation, this is even more true for high-powered EV chargers. With consistent load of high power, using the correct type and materials for cabling and other components is critical.
Charging cable and connector: The charging cable itself must also be rated for the chosen amperage, or it could overheat and become a safety hazard as materials can degrade and melt over time if not designed to manage that level of power.
Charging session efficiency: Factors like ambient temperature and the battery’s state of charge can also impact charging efficiency.
How Do Level 2 EV Chargers Work?
The role of a Level 2 EV charger is to supply your EV battery with electricity. It draws power from a dedicated 240V circuit and transfers it to the EV through the charging port.
But your EV charger does more than transfer electricity—it also exchanges data with your EV.
This smart connection enables your charger to recognize your EV’s make, model, and charging requirements, allowing it to monitor battery status and health throughout the charging process.
Your EV charger uses this data to adjust the current flow, aligning with your EV’s specifications and battery health. Built-in safety features also provide added protection, such as slowing the charging rate once the battery is almost full to help extend its life. Additionally, most chargers can also interrupt the current if they detect a change in the battery’s temperature, ensuring safe and efficient operation.
How Much Amperage Do You Actually Need?
Level 2 EV chargers typically start at 15 amps, with an average of 32 amps and high-end models reaching up to 80 amps. It is important to note that difference in amperage will affect pricing and installation for your EV charger, as installing a higher powered EV charging station may also require additional investments in upgrading your electrical panel and other electrical infrastructure meaning more time, more materials, and increased complexity.
So, is higher amperage worth it? Yes, but only if it aligns with the capacity of your EV and electrical infrastructure or is part of a plan for future-proofing your home for future EVs.
EV Charger Amperage and Electrical Infrastructure Capacity
High amperage puts more strain on your electrical infrastructure, which raises an important question: can your current infrastructure handle an 80-amp charger?
For safety reasons, the 240V circuit powering your Level 2 EV charger needs to be rated for an amperage 25% higher than the charger’s capacity. This is also known as the 80% rule and means that only 80% of a breaker’s capacity can be used. To put this into perspective, this means an 80-amp charger would require a 100-amp circuit which can significantly increase installation costs due to the rising complexity and potential need for a panel upgrade to support this.
Additionally, EV chargers with a capacity of 60 amps or more require an emergency shut-off switch installed, another add-on that will increase the cost to install your EV charger.
Since most American homes are equipped with a 100-amp panel, installing an EV charger that can draw up to 80 amps will quickly max out your electrical infrastructure’s capacity, preventing other circuits from receiving enough power.
When does an 80-amp charger make sense? It can be useful if you’re planning to upgrade to a more powerful EV later, or if you’re thinking about charging two EVs simultaneously with a dual charger.
The Importance of Matching EV Charger and EV Battery Amperage
At this point, you might wonder exactly why matching your vehicle and EV charger amperage matters and how this impacts your charging times.
A 32-amp charger is a budget-friendly option, but it only provides up to 7.7 kW. For an EV with a 50-amp capacity, this means giving you approximately 24 miles of range per hour of charging and will take most electric cars over 8 hours to fully charge. While this is a decent option for drivers not needing to frequently fully refuel their car, it doesn’t maximize your EV’s full potential and can mean longer charging sessions to fully refuel when your battery is depleted such as during longer trips.
On the other hand, an 80-amp charger, while more expensive to purchase and install, would only be limited to your EV’s 50-amp limit. You would get an optimal charging speed of around 9.6 kW and around 30 miles of range added per hour of charging, but you would end up spending more than potentially necessary.
The best option in this scenario? Installing a 50-amp EV charger that perfectly matches your EV’s capacity ensures you get the maximum charging speed for your EV without overspending.
Get Help Choosing the Right EV Charger
While an 80-amp charger can sound appealing, your best option is to match your EV’s specs while considering your home’s electrical infrastructure.
Choosing the right charger can get technical, which is why it’s best to get help from a certified and trusted installer.
When it comes to installing an EV charging station at home, deciding which EV charging station you’re going to install can be a big decision, but finding a qualified EV charger installer shouldn’t be one.
Qmerit can help. As North America’s most trusted EV charger installation partner recommended by automakers, EV charger manufacturers, utilities, businesses, and homeowners alike, Qmerit’s network of licensed electricians has installed over 450,000 EV charging stations. With the largest and most experienced network of EV charger installers across the U.S. and Canada, we’re here to make going electric easy—and with Qmerit’s easy-to-use rebates and incentive finder, you know you’re getting a good deal without compromising on the quality and safety of your installation.
