PLEASE HELP! Home Charging Options for Prius Prime

The 240v plug type will depend on the Level 2 charger you will be purchasing. There are at least 4 types of 240v socket types in the U.S. An option is to hard-wire the EVSE instead of plugging to a wall socket.

The Prime has an internal 3.3kw charger (not to be confused with the EVSE you'll need). 3.3 is pretty tame as these go. Many other plug-in cars spec a 6.6 or 7.2kw charger, so at the 3.3kw, your Prime won't be drawing a big load while charging. A 30 amp breaker would probably be sufficient if it is only used for the Prime. Most EVSE mfgr's will suggest at least a 40 amp breaker and 8 gauge wiring, and 50 amp is not uncommon. Upgrading your service later to a higher amp breaker and beefier wiring is expensive, so you might consider just going 40 or 50 amp and 8g right from the get-go.

Here's a pretty good article on chargers:
How to buy an electric-car charging station: buyer's guide to EVSEs

 

I would recommend having an electrician look at your situation if aren't familiar with the building codes in your area. You want to make sure your service can safely handle added load. It would probably be cheaper to install oversize lines and evse the first time if you ever plan on getting a bev in the future.

 

what kind of adapter for the included cable do you need? it should plug right in.

plugincars.com has a nice article entitled 'buying your first home EV charger'.

i think i have a nema 14-30. it depends on your L2 and desire for future planning/amperage.

 

I'm sure your Toyota dealer can help you get an electrician capable of helping you install the equipment need for charging at home.

 

It seems the Prime only needs 20A/240V for AC Level 2 charging, but even that requires a new EVSE. The cable that comes with the car is also an EVSE, but only good for AC Level 1 charging from a 15amp outlet.

I'd install a 40 or 50 amp line and outlet. Not only does this give you something that can supply a BEV, but thicker gauge wire is a little more efficient at transferring the electricity. If you don't want to shell out the extra cash for the EVSE to match your new outlet amperage, get a 20amp one and adapter for the outlet.

 

I have an Energi with a similar sized battery and charger specs. You only need the minimum size (16amp) 240v EVSE as the car's internal charger can't accept faster spec's; however, if you want to future proof the installation you might ponder going with a higher amperage, faster EVSE. You'll need to determine both the house panel's total amperage and how much is open and unused. Personally, I went with the cheapest 16amp EVSE and will wait for prices to fall as the market matures (both charge cables and EV's).

I DIY my installation since it was fairly easy because there was a sub-panel in the garage exactly where I wanted to install the EVSE so I only need the barest minimum of parts. I installed a 20 amp 240v breaker at the bottom of the sub-panel and ran one foot of wire to the NEMA 6-20R wall receptacle. I bought a Clipper Creek "hard wire" EVSE which are slightly cheaper than wired units and attached the matching 6-20P plug to it. The NEMA 6-20 spec is what a lot of 240v A/C window units use.

 

As @Trollbait pointed out already, the portable EVSE (the "cable") that comes with the Prime is only good for 120V (L1). If you upgrade your outlet to 240V (L2) you need to purchase a new EVSE (or upgrade the stock one to L1/L2 which costs about $230).

 

Where is your panel and are you installing the wiring and outlet yourself? at 3.3kwatts you will need a 20 amp circuit with a minimum of #12 awg. you may have to consider voltage drop if the distance is far.

 

Where do you get the upgrade? I was told Toyota doesn't make one yet.

 

EVSE Upgrade for Plug-in-Prius / Rav4 EV [UT1R1] - $239.00 : EVSE Upgrade, Low-Cost EV Charging Solutions

 

I asked about 240V charging when I got my Prime. I was told that the Leviton units are the only ones "approved" by Toyota.

 

I wonder what kind of 'kick back' they are getting from Leviton for sending-in customers and whether Leviton is treating these customers as captive ones.

 

There are multiple manufacturers, and Tesla is only car company to make one in house.
ClipperCreek: America's Most Popular Charging Station and OpenEV Store - OpenEV Store are two off the top of my head. Amazon also sells them.

 

A couple EVSE Buying Guides:
How to buy an electric-car charging station: buyer's guide to EVSEs

Buying Your First Home EV Charger | PluginCars.com

 

buy the cheapest one you can get, they're all the same unless you want wifi, and etc.

 

The eMotorWerks models are very small. I happen to think the WiFi options are almost useless. The data has to come off the company's server, which is a PITA. Just plug 'er in. It is merely an appliance.

 

that's what i do. unless you're an info geek.

 

Ever use ChargePoint for charging?

The app & data is quite informative.

 

No I haven't. I don't have my car, yet, sadly.