Charging at Home vs at a Station: An Honest Comparison

Home charging: how it works

Charging the electric car at home is, for most owners, the simplest and most economical experience. There are two main options:

220V household outlet

The most basic option is to use a dedicated 220V outlet (never use extension cords or multi-plug adapters to charge an EV). At 10A, it delivers about 2.2 kW. It is slow, but functional for those who drive little and have the car parked 10+ hours a night.

• Power: 2.2 kW
• Equipment cost: R$ 0 (use the EVSE cable that comes with the car)
• Installation cost: R$ 200–500 (dedicated circuit with a residual-current device)
• Charge in 10h: approximately 22 kWh (~150 km of range)

Dedicated wallbox (7 kW to 22 kW)

A wallbox is a dedicated charger installed on the garage wall. It delivers from 7 kW (single-phase) to 22 kW (three-phase), drastically reducing charging time.

• Power: 7 kW (single-phase) or 22 kW (three-phase)
• Equipment cost: R$ 2,500–8,000
• Installation cost: R$ 1,000–3,000 (depends on the distance from the electrical panel)
• Charge in 8h (7 kW): ~56 kWh (a full battery of any popular EV)

The wallbox is the best investment an electric car owner can make. It turns charging into something invisible: you plug in when you arrive and unplug when you leave. No planning, no waiting.

Public charging station: options and speeds

Public charging stations fall into three main categories:

Semi-fast AC (7–22 kW)

Found in malls, hotels, parking lots and supermarkets. The charging time ranges from 2 to 6 hours. Many are free or charge only for the energy.

Fast DC (50–60 kW)

The most common option for fast charging in Brazil. Charges from 10% to 80% in 30–45 minutes. It is the type of charger found at Elektro Charge in Pinhais.

Ultra-fast DC (150–350 kW)

Still rare in Brazil, with a few units on São Paulo highways. Charges from 10% to 80% in 15–20 minutes (in compatible cars).

Cost comparison: the truth in the numbers

Let's compare the annual charging cost for a typical driver in Curitiba who drives 15,000 km a year with an EV that consumes 15 kWh/100 km (total consumption: 2,250 kWh/year):

Scenario	Rate (kWh)	Annual cost	Monthly cost
100% at home (normal rate)	R$ 0.75	R$ 1,687	R$ 141
100% at home (off-peak rate)	R$ 0.50	R$ 1,125	R$ 94
80% home + 20% public AC	mixed	R$ 1,890	R$ 158
80% home + 20% fast DC	mixed	R$ 2,160	R$ 180
100% fast DC station	R$ 1.80	R$ 4,050	R$ 338
Gasoline (comparison)	R$ 6.20/l	R$ 7,750	R$ 646

Practicality: where each one wins

Home charging wins when...

• You have your own garage or a fixed space in a condo
• Your daily route is less than 200 km
• You value the convenience of "refueling while sleeping"
• You want the lowest possible cost per kilometer

The public station wins when...

• You live in an apartment without infrastructure for a wallbox
• You are on a trip and need a fast charge along the way
• You need a lot of range quickly (fast DC)
• You want to take advantage of free charging at malls or hotels
• You have a long daily route that exceeds overnight charging

Wallbox in a condo: is it possible?

One of the biggest challenges for those living in an apartment in Curitiba is installing a charging point in the condo parking space. The good news: it is increasingly feasible.

Brazilian legislation (Law 14,681/2023) determines that condos cannot prohibit the installation of charging points in individual spaces, as long as the resident bears the costs and the installation follows technical standards.

• Average installation cost in a condo: R$ 3,000–8,000 (depends on the distance from the meter to the space)
• Individual metering: mandatory — the energy goes to the resident's bill
• Approval: no assembly needed, just notification to the management
• Technical standard: ABNT NBR 17019 (specific to charging infrastructure)

In Curitiba, electricians specialized in wallbox installation for condos are increasingly available. The investment pays for itself in 12-18 months with the savings on charging.

And those who can't install a wallbox?

If you live in an old apartment or have restrictions that make wallbox installation impossible, the public charging station is your main solution. And it doesn't have to be a problem:

• Charging at the mall: while you shop, the car charges for free (many malls in Curitiba offer free AC)
• Charging at work: some companies already install chargers for employees
• Weekly fast charge: a 30-40 minute stop once a week at a DC station is enough for those who drive 200-250 km a week

Elektro Charge in Pinhais is a perfect example for this user profile. With 60 kW DC and 24-hour operation on Av. Maringá, you can establish a weekly routine: plug in, have dinner at the restaurant next door, and done. A full charge with a dining experience included.

Not having a wallbox at home is no obstacle to owning an electric car. With Curitiba's current infrastructure — 445 charging points — electric mobility is accessible to everyone.

Conclusion: the ideal combination

The honest answer is that most electric car owners use both. Home charging (when possible) is unbeatable in cost and convenience for everyday use. The public charging station is indispensable for trips, emergencies and for those without access to home charging.

If you are considering an electric car, don't let the charging question be an obstacle. Whether with a wallbox at home or using the growing network of charging stations in Curitiba and region, the charging logistics are much simpler than they seem — and incomparably cheaper than filling up with gasoline.