How fast does a dryer outlet charge an EV?

About 16 miles of range per hour for the typical EV. Across the 80 models here it runs from 9 for the GMC Hummer EV to 24 for the Tesla Model 3. That is about 4 times a 120 V wall outlet.

Can I use a 3-prong dryer outlet for EV charging?

Not as it is. The 3-prong NEMA 10-30 has no ground wire, and a charger needs one to detect a fault safely. An electrician can say whether a ground can be added and the outlet replaced with a 4-prong NEMA 14-30.

Can I use an adapter from a dryer outlet to a NEMA 14-50?

It is risky. A charger built for a 14-50 outlet expects a 50 A circuit and may draw 32 A or 40 A, which overloads a 30 A circuit. If a charger is used this way it has to be set to 24 A or less, and that setting is easy to change by mistake. A charger made with a 14-30 plug avoids the problem.

Can the dryer and the car share the same outlet?

Not at the same time. One option is to swap plugs, though the outlet wears with use. The other is a sharing device that plugs into the outlet and gives power to the dryer first, pausing the car while the dryer runs. Look for one with a UL or ETL listing, since not every model on the market has one.

Can you charge an EV from a dryer outlet?

Short answer

Yes, at 24 A, if it is a 4-prong NEMA 14-30

That adds about 16 miles of range per hour to the typical EV, about 160 in a 10-hour night. Not while the dryer is running, and not from the older 3-prong outlet without an electrician's help.

A dryer outlet is a 240 V outlet, the same voltage a Level 2 charger uses. What limits it is the circuit behind it. Dryer outlets sit on a 30 A breaker, and a car charging for hours is a continuous load, which the National Electrical Code allows to use only 80% of a breaker's rating. So a dryer outlet can feed a 24 A charger, 5.8 kW, and no more.

All 80 models on this site accept more than 24 A, so every one of them charges more slowly on a dryer outlet than on a dedicated EV circuit. It is still about 4 times as fast as a 120 V wall outlet.

Check the outlet first

4 prongs: NEMA 14-30. Two hot wires, a neutral and a ground. This is the outlet a charger can use. Most homes wired since the late 1990s have it.
3 prongs: NEMA 10-30. The older type, with no ground. A charger needs a ground to detect a fault safely, so don't use one on this outlet, with or without an adapter. An electrician can often replace it with a 14-30 and add the ground.
The breaker. It should be a 30 A two-pole breaker with nothing else on the circuit. If it is larger than the outlet, the outlet is not protected.
The condition. A dryer runs for an hour or so. A car can draw 24 A for ten hours or more, which finds any loose or worn contact. A scorched or loose outlet should be replaced before charging. If the plug or outlet ever gets hot, stop.

Speed by model on a dryer outlet

At 24 A, fastest first. The typical EV gains about 16 miles of range per hour, against about 22 on a 32 A charger. Driving the U.S. average of 37 miles a day takes about 2 hours 20 minutes to put back.

Model	Year	Miles per hour	In 10 hours	Share of full speed	Empty to full
Tesla Model 3	2026	24	240 mi	50%	16 h
Tesla Model Y	2026	23	230 mi	50%	16 h
Subaru Uncharted	2027	22	220 mi	50%	14 h
Lucid Air	2026	18 to 25	180 to 250 mi	30%	17 to 24 h
Hyundai Ioniq Electric	2021	21	170 mi	75%	8 h
Toyota bZ and bZ4X	2026	19 to 22	190 to 220 mi	50%	15 h
Chevrolet Bolt	2027	20	200 mi	50%	13 h
Nissan Leaf	2026	20	200 mi	75%	16 h
Tesla Model S	2026	19 to 21	190 to 210 mi	50%	19 to 20 h
Mercedes-Benz CLA with EQ Technology	2027	19 to 20	190 to 200 mi	50%	16 to 18 h
Subaru Solterra	2027	19 to 20	190 to 200 mi	50%	15 h
Audi A6 e-tron	2027	17 to 21	170 to 210 mi	50%	19 h
Hyundai Kona Electric	2025	19	190 mi	50%	14 h
Kia Soul EV	2020	19	190 mi	75%	13 h
Lexus ES 350e and 500e	2026	18 to 20	180 to 200 mi	50%	15 h
Subaru Trailseeker	2027	19	190 mi	50%	15 h
Toyota C-HR	2026	19	190 mi	50%	15 h
Volkswagen e-Golf	2019	19	125 mi	75%	7 h
Fiat 500e	2026	18 to 19	149 mi	50%	8 h
BMW i4	2026	16 to 20	160 to 200 mi	50%	14 to 17 h
Chevrolet Equinox EV	2027	18	180 mi	50%	17 h
Honda Prologue	2026	18	180 mi	50%	17 h
Hyundai Ioniq 5	2027	18	180 mi	50%	18 h
Kia Niro EV	2026	18	180 mi	50%	14 h
Lexus RZ	2026	16 to 20	160 to 200 mi	50%	15 h
Lucid Gravity	2027	17 to 19	170 to 190 mi	30%	18 to 24 h
MINI Cooper SE	2024	18	114 mi	75%	6 h
Rivian R2	2027	18	180 mi	50%	18 h
Volkswagen ID.4	2026	18	180 mi	50%	16 h
Volvo EX60	2027	18	180 mi	50%	16 to 18 h
BMW i5	2027	16 to 19	160 to 190 mi	50%	17 h
Kia EV3	2027	16 to 19	160 to 190 mi	50%	17 h
Tesla Model X	2026	17 to 18	170 to 180 mi	50%	20 h
Volvo EX30	2026	16 to 19	160 to 190 mi	50%	14 h
Audi Q4 e-tron	2026	16 to 18	160 to 180 mi	50%	15 to 16 h
Mercedes-Benz EQB	2025	15 to 19	150 to 190 mi	60%	14 h
Volvo EC40 and C40 Recharge	2026	16 to 18	160 to 180 mi	50%	17 h
Volvo EX40 and XC40 Recharge	2026	16 to 18	160 to 180 mi	50%	17 h
Polestar 2	2025	15 to 18	150 to 180 mi	50%	17 h
Audi Q6 e-tron	2027	15 to 17	150 to 170 mi	50%	19 h
Cadillac Optiq	2027	14 to 18	140 to 180 mi	30%	18 h
Chevrolet Blazer EV	2027	14 to 18	140 to 180 mi	50%	18 to 21 h
Genesis Electrified G80	2026	16	160 mi	50%	19 h
Honda Clarity EV	2019	16	89 mi	75%	5 h
Kia EV6	2026	14 to 18	140 to 180 mi	50%	17 h
MINI Countryman SE	2027	16	160 mi	50%	14 h
Mercedes-Benz EQE	2027	16	160 mi	60%	19 h
Nissan Ariya	2026	16	160 mi	75%	18 h
Polestar 4	2026	16	160 mi	50%	20 h
Porsche Macan Electric	2026	15 to 17	150 to 170 mi	50%	19 to 20 h
Genesis GV60	2027	13 to 18	130 to 180 mi	50%	17 h
Acura ZDX	2026	14 to 16	140 to 160 mi	50%	21 h
BMW i7	2027	15	150 mi	50%	24 h
Cadillac Lyriq	2027	14 to 16	140 to 160 mi	30%	21 h
Ford Mustang Mach-E	2026	13 to 17	130 to 170 mi	50%	19 to 20 h
Jeep Wagoneer S	2026	15	150 mi	50%	19 h
Rivian R1T	2027	15	150 mi	50%	28 h
Volvo EX90	2027	15	150 mi	50%	18 to 21 h
BMW iX	2026	13 to 16	130 to 160 mi	50%	20 to 23 h
Cadillac Vistiq	2027	14 to 15	140 to 150 mi	30%	20 to 21 h
Porsche Taycan	2026	13 to 16	130 to 160 mi	30%	17 to 20 h
Audi e-tron GT	2027	14	140 mi	50%	20 to 21 h
Cadillac Celestiq	2026	14	140 mi	30%	22 h
Genesis Electrified GV70	2027	14	140 mi	50%	17 h
Hyundai Ioniq 6	2027	14	140 mi	50%	17 h
Hyundai Ioniq 9	2027	14	140 mi	50%	23 h
Mazda MX-30	2023	14	100 mi	75%	7 h
Rivian R1S	2027	14	140 mi	50%	28 h
Tesla Cybertruck	2026	14	140 mi	50%	25 h
Mercedes-Benz EQS	2027	13 to 14	130 to 140 mi	60%	23 h
Polestar 3	2026	13 to 14	130 to 140 mi	50%	21 h
Volkswagen ID. Buzz	2025	13 to 14	130 to 140 mi	50%	17 to 18 h
Dodge Charger Daytona	2027	12 to 14	120 to 140 mi	50%	19 h
Kia EV9	2026	12 to 14	120 to 140 mi	50%	21 h
Audi Q8 e-tron and e-tron	2025	12	120 mi	50%	21 h
Jeep Recon	2026	12	120 mi	50%	19 h
Ford F-150 Lightning	2025	11 to 12	110 to 120 mi	30%	21 to 27 h
GMC Sierra EV	2026	11 to 12	110 to 120 mi	30%	25 to 35 h
Mercedes-Benz G 580 with EQ Technology	2026	11	110 mi	60%	22 h
GMC Hummer EV	2025	9	90 mi	30%	35 h

For the newest model year of each. A range covers that model's trims. Share of full speed compares 24 A with the most the car accepts. Miles in a night stop at the car's EPA range.

Small batteries do best. Only 6 of the 80 models can go from empty to full in 12 hours on a dryer outlet, but few nights start from empty. The GMC Hummer EV is the slowest here, at about 9 miles per hour, and a big truck or SUV that is driven far every day will outrun what the outlet can put back.

Sharing the outlet with the dryer

A 30 A circuit can run the dryer or the car, not both. There are three ways to live with that.

Swap the plugs. It costs nothing, but outlets are not made for being unplugged every day, and the laundry room is rarely next to where the car parks.
A sharing device. It plugs into the outlet, takes both the dryer and the charger, and gives the dryer priority, pausing the car while the dryer runs. Check for a UL or ETL listing. Not every one sold has it.
A separate circuit. If the panel has room, a new 40 A or 50 A circuit to the garage charges faster and leaves the dryer alone. The 100 A panel guide covers what a small service can carry.

Getting the cable to the car

Don't run a charger off an extension cord. The cord between the outlet and the charger carries the full load for hours, and charger makers forbid it. If the charger's own cable falls short, a J1772 extension goes between the charger and the car instead. Better still, an electrician can move the 30 A circuit, or add a 14-30 outlet on its own circuit, where the car parks.

Chargers for a 30 A circuit

The first plugs into a 14-30 and is limited to 24 A by design. The second is for a dedicated 30 A circuit, set to 24 A when it is installed. Both have a J1772 plug, so a Tesla needs a J1772 adapter. The third is the extension for a cable that does not reach.

Plugs straight into a NEMA 14-30

Charger	Rating	Plug	Install
Splitvolt Portable Level 2 Charger 24A NEMA 14-30 Plugs into a 4-prong NEMA 14-30 dryer outlet. Adjustable up to 24 A, with a delay timer.	24 A	J1772	plug-in	Check price on Amazon

Hardwired, and can be set to 24 A for a 30 A circuit

Charger	Rating	Plug	Install
ChargePoint Home Flex 50A Hardwired Adjustable from 16 A to 50 A in the app, which helps if your panel is tight.	50 A	J1772	hardwired	Check price on Amazon

If the charger's cable falls short

Charger	Rating	Plug	Install
EVCONN J1772 Extension Cable 20ft 40A For when the charger cable will not reach your car's port.	40 A	J1772	cable	Check price on Amazon

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Prices change constantly, so none are shown here.

Common questions

How many amps can an EV charger draw from a dryer outlet?: 24 A. Dryer outlets are on a 30 A breaker, and EV charging is a continuous load, which the National Electrical Code limits to 80% of the breaker. At 240 V that is 5.8 kW.
How fast does a dryer outlet charge an EV?: About 16 miles of range per hour for the typical EV. Across the 80 models here it runs from 9 for the GMC Hummer EV to 24 for the Tesla Model 3. That is about 4 times a 120 V wall outlet.
Can I use a 3-prong dryer outlet for EV charging?: Not as it is. The 3-prong NEMA 10-30 has no ground wire, and a charger needs one to detect a fault safely. An electrician can say whether a ground can be added and the outlet replaced with a 4-prong NEMA 14-30.
Can I use an adapter from a dryer outlet to a NEMA 14-50?: It is risky. A charger built for a 14-50 outlet expects a 50 A circuit and may draw 32 A or 40 A, which overloads a 30 A circuit. If a charger is used this way it has to be set to 24 A or less, and that setting is easy to change by mistake. A charger made with a 14-30 plug avoids the problem.
Can the dryer and the car share the same outlet?: Not at the same time. One option is to swap plugs, though the outlet wears with use. The other is a sharing device that plugs into the outlet and gives power to the dryer first, pausing the car while the dryer runs. Look for one with a UL or ETL listing, since not every model on the market has one.

More guides

40 A or 48 A charger What the extra 8 amps adds, model by model, and what it costs to install.Outlet or hardwired What a plug-in charger can and cannot do, and when hardwiring is the better install.Charging on a 100 A panel Which charger sizes fit a small service, how many miles each adds overnight, and the ways around the limit.Is a wall outlet enough? Miles added per night on a 120 V outlet for all 80 models, and how to tell if you need more.80 A chargers The 10 models that accept more than 48 A, and how much time the bigger charger saves them.32 A or 40 A charger Which cars gain from 40 A, and why the breaker on the circuit usually decides it.How long charging takes Empty to full and a typical day's top-up for 80 models, on Level 2 and on a wall outlet.Cost to charge at home Cost per mile, per full charge and per month for 80 models, and the electricity rate in every state.Breaker and wire size The breaker and copper wire each charger size needs, and the 48 A wiring mistake to avoid.

Figures are calculated from EPA data and manufacturer specifications for the newest model year of each of the 80 models on this site, and agree with the full chart. "Typical EV" is the median of the 72 versions from model years 2026 and 2027. Code references are to the National Electrical Code. Local rules differ, so have a licensed electrician confirm anything here before work starts. Updated October 13, 2026.