What EV Charger Do You Need for a 2027 Subaru Solterra 20?
Buying a 60 amp or 80 amp home charger for the Subaru Solterra 20 wastes money because the car caps AC charging at 48 amps. You only need a 48 amp Level 2 unit to hit the maximum onboard charging rate of 11.0 kilowatts. Feeding it anything larger changes nothing on the vehicle side.
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 38 miles |
| Full charge on a 120 V outlet | about 56 hours |
| Range added per hour (120 V) | about 5.0 miles |
| EPA rated range | 278 miles |
| Energy for a full charge | about 80.4 kWh at the wall |
Why 48 amps and not more
The onboard charger dictates what current enters the battery pack. Pushing 48 amps delivers 38 miles of range per hour, refueling the 80.4 kilowatt hour battery from empty in 7.3 hours. The EPA test logs a slightly slower 8.0 hours because laboratory cycles factor in charging losses and efficiency variables. Going past 48 amps gains zero speed since the car cannot draw extra power.
What the install involves
A 48 amp continuous load demands a 60 amp breaker and heavy gauge copper wire. Do not look for a wall outlet because no household receptacle handles 48 amps safely. Have a licensed electrician hardwire the unit directly to the electrical panel. They must verify your main service has enough spare capacity before landing the new breaker.
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 vehicle use?
- It uses a J1772 connector. This model year falls in the industry transition, so confirm your car's port before buying.
- Can I use a standard wall outlet?
- Level 1 charging plugs into a normal household outlet, but it only adds 5.0 miles of range per hour. A full charge on Level 1 takes 56 hours.
- Why does the EPA charge time differ from the peak rate?
- The EPA-rated charge time of 8.0 hours accounts for standard test procedures and energy conversion losses. The peak hardware rate hits full capacity in 7.3 hours.
- Can I use Tesla destination chargers?
- Yes, if you buy a Tesla to J1772 adapter. That lets you plug into Tesla wall connectors on the road.
Other vehicles
Charging times derived from EPA data for the 2027 Subaru Solterra 20. Electrical requirements follow NEC 625.41, which sizes a circuit at 125% of a continuous load. Always have a licensed electrician verify your panel.