What Size Wire for an EV Charger?
Wire and breaker sizing for an EV Charger — the typical 240V circuit, plus the code details (NEC Article 625) that change the answer.
Calculations are built on the 2023 National Electrical Code (NEC) and cross-checked against the published code tables. How we verify. Last reviewed June 2026.
Copper
8 AWG
On a 50A 240V circuit (NEMA 14-50 or hardwired) at 75°C terminations. 60°C terminations: 6.
Aluminum
6
Protected by a 50A breaker (NEC 240.6).
Voltage
240V
Breaker
50A
Connection
NEMA 14-50 or hardwired
GFCI
Required
GFCI required. NEC 210.8(F) requires GFCI protection for most EV charging outlets.
EV Charger Circuit Details
- EV charging is a continuous load — conductors and the breaker are sized at 125% of the charging current (NEC 625.41/625.42).
- A 40A charger uses a 50A circuit; a 48A charger uses a 60A circuit; hardwired units can go higher.
- NEC 210.8(F) now requires GFCI protection for most EV receptacle outlets.
Long run to your ev charger?
Over distance, voltage drop can require a larger wire than the table above. See the 50A wire size by distance:
Size it for your exact install
Open the calculator pre-filled with 50A at 240V to add distance, material and temperature.