2025 Corsair PHEV 120 volt charging vs 240 volt charging

[1carguy]

Hi all,

I am charging in the garage with 120 volt, but wondering about the cost's of 120 volt charging vs 240 volt charging. It takes 12 hours (+ or-) to do a 120 volt charge, and supposably 3 - 4 hours to do a 240 volt charge.

BUT, which charging method will cost the most?

Your thoughts please - thanks

 

[artautos]

It won't make any difference. Your car will charge to the same number of KWH - it just takes less time at the higher voltage. Roughly 1/4 the time for 2x voltage.

 

[greerl]

Hi all,

I am charging in the garage with 120 volt, but wondering about the cost's of 120 volt charging vs 240 volt charging. It takes 12 hours (+ or-) to do a 120 volt charge, and supposably 3 - 4 hours to do a 240 volt charge.

BUT, which charging method will cost the most?

Your thoughts please - thanks

120V will cost maybe 10% more because 120V is typically less efficient than 240V.

ev charging efficiency 120 vs 240 - Google Search

 

[MORSNO]

240v will be more efficient and cost less to charge.

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[1carguy]

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanks everybody, I appreciate your input.

 

[Lexi]

I've been plugging in since 2011 and have learned a few things about current battery tech/chemistry and daily use.

Heat is the enemy of long term battery health. Using L2 (240v) on a hot summer day, in the afternoon, in the sun, at a heat soaked parking lot with a depleted hot battery is the worst case scenario. Charging a hot battery, then letting it sit for hours at 100% is also not good for health. So, faster charging can "cost" more in the long run. Higher charge rates are also harder (heat) on the power electronics (inverter).

Except for extra opportunity charging during daily activities or limited charge time windows (greedy electric company day rates), there's little benefit to L2 charging on such a small phev battery.

I'm not trying to introduce any FUD to the conversation, L2 is fine but L1 (120v) is better for most folks. Also, L2 costs (installation, charger) will never be recouped through efficiency gains. If you see driving EV is the future (and it is), I recommend purchasing a larger L2 unit than needed for a PHEV for future, larger battery BEV's you'll eventually consider purchasing.

 

[BIC]

@Lexi , I have a 240v wall charger that starts charging at midnight because of lower electric rates. Takes about 3+10 to fully charge from 0. Based on previous post, the car/battery should have time to cool down some by midnight. A benefit I was unaware of. Thanks.

 

[Lexi]

Yeah plus in colder temps that's helping the battery stay warm and ready to drive. While plugged in, L2 also keeps the battery's SOC up when pre-conditioning/remote-start.

The corsairs' low L2 charge rate is actually a good thing in the long run as that produces less heat and it's a liquid-cooled system so it will run as needed. No worries. The worst type examples in post #6 are really critical of the air-cooled systems of the first generations.

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[Farhadk]

Hi all,

I am charging in the garage with 120 volt, but wondering about the cost's of 120 volt charging vs 240 volt charging. It takes 12 hours (+ or-) to do a 120 volt charge, and supposably 3 - 4 hours to do a 240 volt charge.

BUT, which charging method will cost the most?

Your thoughts please - thanks

The kWh used will be the same so there should be no difference in cost of electricity.

 

[Lincoln777]

240v is slightly more efficient so it'll cost a bit less, but honestly the difference is pretty small on a PHEV battery this size. If you already have 120v setup and it works for your schedule, I wouldn't sweat it too much.

 

[Minuteman3]

When we first got our '22 Corsair, I had this exact same question. Plugging in via 110v took forever to charge, and we found a very cost effective way to get 220v ... a "Y" switch that plugs into our dryer plug. One side remains for the dryer, the other has a cable that leads to the Lincoln's charger. So, we get 220v ... just can't charge and dry clothes at the same time!!

Anyway, I called the local power company as I admit I know next to nothing about amps, volts, watts, etc.!! They explained it like this ... think of the "volts" as a stream of water. When the water run slowly, there's a lot of difference in time between point A and point B. But ... if it runs faster, the same amount of water goes buy, but point A and Point B are now closer together. So, the amount of electricity is equal ... one is just moving faster for a shorter period of time!! Worked for me!! Been using this system for almost 3 years now without a hitch!! In fact, I'm also using the same setup/charger to "fill up" our new F-150 Lightning as well!! Much slower than a Tesla Supercharger ... but WAYYY cheaper!!

Cheers!!

Ken

 

[ljnelson109]

Anyway, I called the local power company as I admit I know next to nothing about amps, volts, watts, etc.!! They explained it like this ... think of the "volts" as a stream of water. When the water run slowly, there's a lot of difference in time between point A and point B. But ... if it runs faster, the same amount of water goes buy, but point A and Point B are now closer together. So, the amount of electricity is equal ... one is just moving faster for a shorter period of time!! Worked for me!! Been using this system for almost 3 years now without a hitch!! In fact, I'm also using the same setup/charger to "fill up" our new F-150 Lightning as well!! Much slower than a Tesla Supercharger ... but WAYYY cheaper!!

Cheers!!

Ken

I disagree with the local power company explanation. It is not as simple as filling a pool of water with a trickle or fire hose. There is loss in all electrical transfers. There is energy used by the charging system on the car. The shorter charging time is definitely more efficient. The amount of savings is likely insignificant, but it is there nonetheless.

For me, it is more about convenience. There is definitely a one time cost of purchasing and installing the level 2 EVSE. To me, this is a foregone conclusion as I have been using one for 7 years now. I am using 2 in my garage now. I think that the better answer to your original question is, go bigger than you think you need. The Corsair only has a 3.3kW on-board charger. At 220V, that is only 15A. So, you can easily install a level 2 charger on a 20A 220V circuit and max out the Corsair charging rate. Try not to be tempted to do this. My first 2 PHEVs had 6.6kW on-board chargers. I installed a Level 2 charger on a 40A circuit. Now, I have a BEV with a 10kW on-board charger. Needless to say, I am under rated charging my BEV because I was conservative in my decision back in 2017. Fortunately it can still charge at a 7.5 kW rate and charge my BEV in about 7 hours.

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