What EV Charger Do You Need for a 2023 Subaru Solterra/Touring?
Wiring a home garage for this vehicle means installing a NEMA 14-50 outlet on a 40 A breaker, or hardwiring the unit directly. You need a 32 A Level 2 supply to match the onboard charger. A licensed electrician must pull the proper wire and land it on the breaker. Your car will refill its 71.3 kWh battery in 10.8 hours.
The numbers
| Maximum AC charging rate | 6.6 kW (32 A) |
|---|---|
| Charger size to buy | 32 A |
| Circuit breaker required | 40 A |
| Outlet / connection | NEMA 14-50 outlet on a 40 A breaker, or hardwired |
| Charge port | J1772 |
| Full charge on Level 2 | about 10.8 hours |
| Range added per hour (Level 2) | about 21 miles |
| Full charge on a 120 V outlet | about 50 hours |
| Range added per hour (120 V) | about 4.5 miles |
| EPA rated range | 222 miles |
| Energy for a full charge | about 71.3 kWh at the wall |
Why 32 amps and not more
The car draws 32 amps maximum because that is the limit of its internal hardware. Buying a larger 48 amp or 50 amp charging station will not speed up the process. The vehicle ignores the extra capacity and draws its rated 32 amps. Sticking to the recommended 32 amp equipment avoids wasted money on oversized copper wiring. You get 21 miles of range for every hour plugged into Level 2.
What the install involves
Call an electrician to check your main panel for spare capacity before buying hardware. They will run heavy gauge copper wire to your garage wall and mount a 40 A breaker. You can choose a plug-in unit for a NEMA 14-50 outlet or hardwire the equipment directly. Hardwiring removes the GFCI breaker requirement in some jurisdictions, but local codes vary. The electrician will verify the entire circuit handles continuous load safely.
Chargers that match this car
Rugged metal enclosure, built for outdoor use.
Portable cordset. Works on 120 V or a 240 V outlet.
Plugs into an existing 14-50 outlet, no hardwiring.
Worth having as well
Common questions
- What connector does the car use?
- Every non-Tesla EV sold in North America through 2024 uses the J1772 connector for AC Level 2 charging. You plug the standard J1772 nozzle directly into the charging port on the vehicle.
- Can I use a standard wall outlet?
- Level 1 charging works on a standard 120 V household outlet. Expect to wait 50 hours for a full charge at 4.5 miles per hour.
- What is the EPA charge time?
- The EPA rated Level 2 charge time is 11.0 hours at 20 miles per hour. The EPA test does not always run at the car's absolute peak AC rate.
- Can I charge at public Tesla stations?
- You can use an adapter like the Lectron Tesla to J1772 Charging Adapter 80A. This accessory lets a J1772 car use Tesla Destination Chargers and Wall Connectors.
Other vehicles
Charging times derived from EPA data for the 2023 Subaru Solterra/Touring. Electrical requirements follow NEC 625.41, which sizes a circuit at 125% of a continuous load. Always have a licensed electrician verify your panel.