NEMA 14-50
The 240-volt, 50-amp outlet — the same kind an electric range uses — that many home EV chargers plug into.
A NEMA 14-50 is a 240-volt receptacle rated for 50 amps, with four slots (two hots, a neutral, and a ground). It's the outlet a freestanding electric range often uses, and it has become the common way to power a plug-in Level 2 EV charger because it lets you unplug and take the charger with you. Installing one means running a dedicated 240-volt circuit from the [service panel](/glossary/service-panel) on an appropriately sized breaker — which is why a [load calculation](/glossary/load-calculation) comes first. The main alternative is hardwiring the charger directly, which is generally preferred for higher-amperage units and outdoor installs.