Can You Use an Electric Vehicle EV Charger with a Gas-Powered Car?

Electric vehicles (EVs) have become increasingly popular in recent years, and with good reason. They are environmentally friendly, cost-effective, and are becoming more accessible every day. However, one question that frequently arises is whether it is possible to use a gas-powered car to charge an EV. Let's explore the possibilities and limitations of this scenario.

Understanding the Mechanics

Technically, it is possible to use a gas-powered vehicle to charge an EV, but the process is complex and has several limitations. The primary method involves using an inverter to convert the gas car's electrical power into a form that can charge an EV charger. Here's how it works:

Using an Inverter

First, you would need to purchase a sufficiently powerful 120VAC inverter, such as one rated at 1500W. This inverter would be connected to the battery plug of an Level 1 charger on the EV. To run the engine of the gas car, you would need to ensure that the car's electrical output from the alternator is sufficient to power this setup. Unfortunately, in many cases, the electrical output of a typical gas-powered car's alternator is not enough to support even Level 1 charging, which requires over 1500W of output power and about 100A of current.

Charging Limitations

Given these limitations, there are a few caveats to consider when attempting to use a gas-powered car to charge an EV:

Electrical Output of Gas Cars: Many gas-powered cars have an electrical output that is insufficient for Level 1 charging. To achieve this, the alternator would need to output more than 100A of current, which is not the case for most vehicles on the road. Charging Speed: Even if you manage to find a gas car with a powerful enough alternator, the best you can hope for is Level 1 charging, which provides about 1.5KWH per hour. For most EVs, this means you would only gain around 4.5 to 6 miles of range per hour of charging, which is not ideal for regular use. Engine Usage: Running the gas car's engine to charge the EV is not only inefficient but also potentially damaging. The engine is not designed to power an inverter and charge an EV simultaneously, and running it for an extended period could drain the battery significantly.

Alternative Solutions

Given the limitations outlined above, using a gas-powered car to charge an EV is generally not recommended for regular use. However, there are a few alternative methods that could be used in emergency situations:

Towing and Regenerative Braking: Towing the EV and using regenerative braking could be a feasible option, provided your vehicle can tow the necessary weight. This method requires no inverter and could potentially charge the EV faster than the described Level 1 charging process. Specialized Gas-Powered Cars: In a rare case, if you have a gas-powered hybrid F-150, it has a 240V output and can run an EV charger. With a 1500W inverter connected to a 12V battery and capable of plugging into a 120V EV charger, you might consider keeping the gas engine running to discharge a typical 12V battery faster while powering the inverter.

Conclusion

In summary, while it is technically possible to use a gas-powered car to charge an EV through an inverter, the process is limited by various factors and is not the most efficient or practical solution for regular charging. In most cases, specialized solutions like towing with regenerative braking or using a gas-powered hybrid with a strong alternator are more viable options, especially in emergency situations.