What EV Charger Do You Need for a 2026 Subaru Solterra?
Many buyers waste money on an 80 amp charger that your car cannot use. The 2026 Subaru Solterra takes a maximum of 48 amps on Level 2 charging. You need a 48 amp EVSE to hit the maximum charging speed. Buying anything larger adds cost without cutting your charging time.
The numbers
| Maximum AC charging rate | 11.0 kW (48 A) |
|---|---|
| Charger size to buy | 48 A |
| Circuit breaker required | 60 A |
| Outlet / connection | hardwired (a 48 A EVSE must be hardwired -- no household receptacle is rated for it) |
| Charge port | J1772 |
| Full charge on Level 2 | about 7.3 hours |
| Range added per hour (Level 2) | about 39 miles |
| Full charge on a 120 V outlet | about 56 hours |
| Range added per hour (120 V) | about 5.2 miles |
| EPA rated range | 288 miles |
| Energy for a full charge | about 80.5 kWh at the wall |
Why 48 amps and not more
Your vehicle has an 80.5 kWh battery pack and a 48 amp onboard charger. Pumping 48 amps into the car delivers 11.0 kW of power, yielding 39 miles of range per hour. At this rate, filling a completely empty battery takes 7.3 hours. The EPA test reports an 8.0 hour charge time because the standard EPA test cycle does not always run at the car's absolute peak alternating current rate. If you drop down to a smaller 32 amp or 40 amp unit, charging takes longer. Hooking this car up to a massive 80 amp commercial station gains you zero speed because the onboard hardware caps your intake at 48 amps.
What the install involves
Feeding a 48 amp continuous load demands heavy copper. You must install a 60 amp breaker in your main panel to handle the electrical load safely. A 48 amp EVSE cannot use a standard wall outlet because no household receptacle is rated for that kind of continuous draw. Have a licensed electrician hardwire the unit directly to the circuit. Ask them to verify your main panel has spare capacity for a 60 amp load before buying hardware.
Chargers that match this car
Energy monitoring built in. Hardwire it for the full 48 A.
Compact unit, good for tight garages.
Adjustable from 16 A to 50 A in the app, which helps if your panel is tight.
Worth having as well
Common questions
- What connector does this car use?
- The car uses a J1772 connector. Many 2025 and newer vehicles ship with a NACS port alongside a J1772 adapter, so verify your specific port before purchasing equipment.
- Can I use a standard wall outlet for Level 2 charging?
- No. A 48 amp EVSE requires hardwiring because standard household receptacles cannot handle the sustained amperage without melting.
- How long does a standard household outlet take?
- Level 1 charging on a standard 120 volt wall outlet takes 56 hours for a full charge. It adds 5.2 miles of range per hour, which only works for very low daily driving needs.
- Can I charge at Tesla stations?
- Yes, if you use a Tesla to J1772 adapter rated for high amperage. This lets your car plug into Tesla Destination Chargers and Wall Connectors.
Other vehicles
Charging times derived from EPA data for the 2026 Subaru Solterra. Electrical requirements follow NEC 625.41, which sizes a circuit at 125% of a continuous load. Always have a licensed electrician verify your panel.