3 ms·
My understanding is that the typical block heater might draw about 750-800 watts (call it 7 amps @ 120 volts in the US), which would charge one of the most effi
by sib 7y ago
My understanding is that the typical block heater might draw about 750-800 watts (call it 7 amps @ 120 volts in the US), which would charge one of the most efficient EVs out there (the Tesla Model 3) at about 3 miles of range per hour. So, if you parked your car for the whole night, you'd add about 30-35 miles of range. Other EVs are even less efficient.
I think it's a different sort of effort to wire every parking spot with, say, a 40 amp, 240 volt circuit to enable moderately fast charging.
- josephg 7y agoThats probably fine for most people, for regular day-to-day commuting and things like that. A decent battery would give you a buffer in case you forget to plug your car in, or you need to do a lot more driving for a few days. Mind you, some small part in me is sad at the idea of yet another device around my home that I have to remember to charge each night. And I would expect that as EVs become more popular, chargers will start being something tenants will ask about. This will in turn put pressure on landlords who want wealthy tenants to wire up their garages for faster charging. We've done the same thing before with heating, washer/driers and internet over the last few decades.
- bryanlarsen 7y agoIt's not that much harder to pull 8 gauge wire instead of 12 gauge.