What the Dodge Charger EV charging system includes

The Dodge Charger EV comes with a Level 1 charger as standard equipment — a 120-volt household plug adapter that connects to any regular wall outlet. This charger delivers about 2 to 3 miles of range per hour of charging, which means a full charge from empty takes roughly 40 to 50 hours. It is meant for emergency use or overnight charging when nothing faster is available, not for regular daily use.

Dodge also offers a Level 2 home charger as an optional purchase or through dealer installation. A Level 2 charger runs on 240 volts (the same circuit as an electric dryer or oven) and delivers 25 to 30 miles of range per hour, cutting a full charge time to 8 to 10 hours. Most owners who charge at home install Level 2 because the difference in speed makes daily ownership practical.

For road trips and public charging, the Charger EV uses the NACS connector (North American Charging Standard), which is now the standard plug across most U.S. electric vehicles. This connector works at public fast-charging stations operated by networks like Tesla Supercharger, Electrify America, EVgo, and others.

Key Takeaways

  • The Charger EV includes a Level 1 charger (120-volt household outlet) that adds 2 to 3 miles of range per hour, suitable only for emergencies or overnight charging.
  • Level 2 charging (240-volt home installation) is optional but standard for owners who charge daily, adding 25 to 30 miles per hour.
  • The vehicle uses the NACS connector standard, which works at most public fast-charging networks across the United States.
  • DC fast charging at public stations can add 200 miles in 20 to 30 minutes, depending on the charger and battery condition.
  • Charging costs and speed vary by location, charger network, and time of day, so comparing networks in your area before purchase makes sense.

Level 2 home charging: installation and cost

Installing a Level 2 charger at home requires a dedicated 240-volt circuit, which an electrician must run from your home's electrical panel to your garage or driveway. The charger hardware itself costs between $500 and $2,500 depending on the brand and features (some include smart scheduling, app control, or load management). Installation labor typically runs $500 to $2,000, depending on how far the panel is from where you want the charger and whether your panel needs an upgrade to handle the load.

Before installation, check whether your home's electrical service can support a Level 2 charger. Most modern homes with 200-amp service can, but older homes with 100-amp service may need a panel upgrade, which adds $1,500 to $3,000 to the total cost. Some utilities and state programs offer rebates or tax credits for home charger installation — these vary by location and change year to year, so checking your local utility's website and the Database of State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency (DSIRE) is worth doing before you buy.

Public DC fast charging and network access

DC fast charging stations are the fastest way to add range on a road trip. The Charger EV can accept DC fast charging through its NACS port, and most networks now support this standard. A DC fast charger can add 200 miles of range in 20 to 30 minutes under ideal conditions, though actual speed depends on the charger's power output (measured in kilowatts), the battery's current state of charge, and outside temperature.

The major DC fast-charging networks in the United States include Tesla Supercharger (now open to non-Tesla vehicles), Electrify America, EVgo, Volta, and Chargepoint. Each network has its own pricing model — some charge per minute, others per kilowatt-hour, and some use subscription plans. Prices typically range from $0.25 to $0.50 per kilowatt-hour, though this varies by location and network. Using an app or website to check charger availability, pricing, and real-time status before you drive to a station prevents wasted trips.

Charging speed and battery management

Charging speed is not constant throughout the charge cycle. When the battery is nearly empty, the charger delivers maximum power. As the battery fills, the charger automatically reduces power to protect battery health — this is called thermal management. The last 10 to 20 percent of a charge takes noticeably longer than the first 80 percent, which is why most owners stop at 80 percent for daily use rather than waiting for a full 100 percent charge.

Cold weather slows charging significantly because the battery must warm up before accepting power at full speed. In winter, a DC fast charge that takes 25 minutes in summer might take 35 to 40 minutes. Preconditioning — using the vehicle's climate system to warm the battery before you arrive at a charger — can reduce this delay, and the Charger EV's infotainment system allows you to schedule preconditioning through the app.

Regularly charging to 100 percent or letting the battery drop below 10 percent reduces long-term battery lifespan. Most owners keep daily charging between 20 and 80 percent and only charge to 100 percent before long trips. The Charger EV's onboard computer tracks battery health and can show degradation over time through the vehicle's display.

Charging at work and public locations

Many workplaces, shopping centers, and parking facilities now offer Level 2 chargers, usually free or at a low cost. These chargers are slower than home Level 2 (typically 7 to 11 kilowatts versus 11 to 19 kilowatts at home), but they add 10 to 15 miles of range per hour, which is enough to offset daily driving if you park for 8 hours. Apps like Plugshare and Chargepoint map public chargers by location and show real-time availability.

Some chargers require membership or a credit card on file, while others are free. Chargepoint and Electrify America both offer membership plans that reduce per-minute or per-kilowatt-hour costs if you charge frequently. Comparing the cost of membership against your expected usage prevents overpaying for a plan you do not need.

Understanding charging costs and electricity rates

The cost to charge at home depends on your local electricity rate, which varies by utility and region. The U.S. average is roughly $0.14 to $0.16 per kilowatt-hour for residential electricity, though rates in California, Hawaii, and the Northeast are higher (sometimes $0.20 to $0.30 per kilowatt-hour), and rates in the South and Midwest are lower (sometimes $0.10 to $0.12 per kilowatt-hour). The Charger EV's EPA rating is about 3.5 to 4 miles per kilowatt-hour, so at $0.15 per kilowatt-hour, charging costs roughly $0.04 to $0.05 per mile.

Time-of-use (TOU) rates, offered by many utilities, charge less for electricity used during off-peak hours (usually late evening and early morning). If your utility offers TOU rates, charging overnight can cut your per-mile cost by 20 to 40 percent. Checking whether your utility offers TOU rates and whether your home charger can be scheduled to charge only during off-peak hours is worth doing before installation.

Public DC fast charging is more expensive than home charging — typically $0.30 to $0.50 per kilowatt-hour — because the infrastructure is costly to build and maintain. For daily driving, home charging is far cheaper; DC fast charging is best reserved for road trips and emergencies.

Charging cable compatibility and connector types

The Charger EV uses the NACS connector for both Level 2 and DC fast charging. The Level 1 charger that comes with the vehicle has a standard 120-volt plug on one end and connects directly to the vehicle's charge port on the other. For Level 2 home charging, you purchase a separate charger unit that includes the cable and connector, or you can buy a portable charger that plugs into a 240-volt outlet.

At public charging stations, the charger is permanently installed and the cable is attached to the station. You straightforward plug your vehicle's NACS port into the station's connector and the charging begins. No adapter or additional equipment is needed because the NACS standard is now the industry default for new vehicles.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to charge a Dodge Charger EV from empty to full?

With the included Level 1 charger, 40 to 50 hours. With a Level 2 home charger, 8 to 10 hours. With DC fast charging at a public station, 20 to 30 minutes to reach 80 percent (the last 20 percent takes longer due to battery management). Actual times vary based on charger power, battery temperature, and how full the battery already is.

Can I charge the Charger EV at Tesla Supercharger stations?

Yes. Tesla opened its Supercharger network to non-Tesla vehicles with NACS connectors, including the Charger EV. You need the Tesla app or a compatible third-party app to locate and pay for charging. Pricing is set by Tesla and varies by location.

Do I need to install a home charger, or can I rely on public charging?

You can rely on public charging, but it is slower and more expensive than home charging. Most owners find that a home Level 2 charger makes daily ownership practical because you can charge overnight and start each day with a full battery. Without home charging, you depend on public chargers being available when you need them, which is less convenient for daily use.

What happens if I charge in very cold weather?

Charging slows significantly in cold weather because the battery must warm up first. A DC fast charge might take 35 to 40 minutes instead of 25 minutes. Using the vehicle's preconditioning feature (available through the app) to warm the battery before you arrive at a charger reduces this delay.

Is it bad to charge to 100 percent every day?

Regularly charging to 100 percent or letting the battery drop below 10 percent reduces long-term battery lifespan. Most owners keep daily charging between 20 and 80 percent and only charge to 100 percent before long trips. The vehicle's onboard system tracks battery health and shows degradation over time.