2 EV's, 1 Charger or 2 Chargers?

[w0ger]

We have a '23 Ford Mustang Mach-e and looking at purchasing a Rivian R1T later this year.

In order for the R1T to fit in the garage, we need to move the existing JuiceBox charger. In its new location it will reach both vehicles easily in the garage.

As I see it:
Pros to 2 chargers:
- Can charge both EV's at the same time -- how often will we need this - I don't think very often.
- Backup if something happens to one of them

Pros to 1 charger:
- No expense for 2nd charger
- Less cables laying on the garage floor

Does anyone here have 2 EV's? How often are both EV's charging? What are the pros/cons?

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[FooF]

It depends on how many miles you need to recharge on each vehicle daily.
You can always use a 120v portable charger for one of the vehicles and you do not care if it takes longer to charge.

 

[EmPickle]

We have an R1S and Model 3 and charge them both with one 4kW charger. Nearly a year and we haven't yet had a problem.

 

[mikehmb]

We had (until very recently) 3 EVs. Rarely did we need the two chargers simultaneously. Down to two EVs now, but still have the two chargers. I can count on one hand the times where both were in use at the same time, and it was purely a matter of laziness in that case.

That said, it’s super convenient to have one on each side of the garage that’s most convenient to the vehicle, so one of us isn’t running over the charging cable while the other is plugged in.

 

[evguy]

We have 2 EVs (Model 3 and R1S) and two chargers, each on its own circuit. 99% of our charging for both vehicles is done between 12 am and 6 am, which is our utility's off peak window. My wife puts a lot of miles on the R1S each day, and the second charger helps ensure that the R1S battery is charged to 80% every morning while still allowing me to charge the Model 3 each night. If you're not driving both vehicles daily, or your utility has a longer off peak window, you may not need two chargers, it really just depends on your use case.

 

[inconceivable]

I have a Grizzl-e duo. One 40 amp charger that will split the power with 2 vehicles. It works really well. We’ve never needed more then that overnight to get us to our target SOC.

Of course, we don’t put on a ton of miles most days. But something for you to consider.

 

[Tango45]

I have two EVs and one charger (ChargePoint Home Flex). I've honestly never had a problem with managing this. Even using the word "managing" seems like I'm working some balancing act, which I'm not. Even if my wife and I drove crazy miles, I wouldn't need or want two chargers. I certainly wouldn't want two if it meant another outlay of ~$500 for a charger and the same for installation (it would probably be much more, but going with lazy easy numbers here). I will plug them in if they are in the 20%-ish range unless we have a big weekend coming up, which case I will charge one on Thursday night and one on Friday night, just plug them in and we are good in the morning.

Oh, @evguy raises a good point - my utility is not time-based metering, so plugging in at night is the same as during the day. That being said, that wouldn't drive my family, with my needs, to get a second charger. YMMV - literally

 

[Hillbilly]

We installed three (one in a separate building/workshop).

Necessary IMHO.

 

[solaskaze]

If you are moving the charger -- I would simply add a new charger or go for a dual-head unit.
Pros you didn't list for devoted chargers:
1) Time-of-day electric cost -- forces all vehicles to charge at night, for example. Maybe you don't care right now, maybe you will in the future.
2) Power sharing -- if you want to limit total power to the house to avoid wear and tear, 2 units can do this automatically rather you remembering to plug in the other.
3) The R1T is a bit of a pig -- it will spend more time hogging that charger than your mach-e.
4) Added house value! (OK, now I am stretching it a bit)

This is all predicated on the cost of any new line you need to drop for the new charger, of course. YMMV

 

[MrMusAddict]

My wife leaves to go to work after I do. I commute 90 miles per day, she commutes 5 miles per day (+5 miles for HVAC). So what I end up doing is charging every night, and when I leave I plug in her car. Keeps us both topped off each day.

 

[Antonio]

We have an R1T and an R1S and one charger (Rivian) works great for us. Our commutes are not that long though, about 20-25 miles per day.

 

[shrink]

@w0ger

I have a Grizzl-e duo. One 40 amp charger that will split the power with 2 vehicles. It works really well. We’ve never needed more then that overnight to get us to our target SOC.

Of course, we don’t put on a ton of miles most days. But something for you to consider.

I have a Grizzl-E Duo I can sell you if you're interested. You can charge at the same time, but only at 20 amps. If you charge one vehicle at at time, max is 40 amps. It's not a bad option for the convenience and depending on your needs. I have an old ad posting somewhere. I'll resurrect it.

EDIT:

https://www.rivianforums.com/forum/...arge-2-evs-from-one-outlet-circuit-500.23279/

 

[w0ger]

@w0ger


I have a Grizzl-E Duo I can sell you if you're interested. You can charge at the same time, but only at 20 amps. If you charge one vehicle at at time, max is 40 amps. It's not a bad option for the convenience and depending on your needs. I have an old ad posting somewhere. I'll resurrect it.

Thank you for the offer, but based on the feedback, I think we’re gonna stick with the single charger.

 

[Polar]

Thank you for the offer, but based on the feedback, I think we’re gonna stick with the single charger.

Three years EV only - two EVs have not felt the need for a second EVSE; adding a third EV soon when my oldest turns 16 - may add a second EVSE just to accommodate an additional parking spot…

 

[7FCvin]

We have 2 BEVs and 2 chargers (Emporia and ChargePoint) -- very important for TOU electricity pricing. We mainly charge overnight. It is nice to have options for visiting family members who have BEVs - with multiple chargers, we don't have to worry.

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