The 2026 Subaru Solterra marks a major refresh for Subaru’s only fully electric SUV. Along with design tweaks and new features, Subaru improved its charging performance, making Level 2 home charging even more appealing for most owners.
Level 1 charging (standard)
Every Solterra comes with a Level 1 charging cable that plugs into a standard 120-volt household outlet. This setup works anywhere there’s a regular plug, but it’s slow — very slow. With a usable battery capacity of about 72.8 kWh, and the Solterra’s onboard AC charger limited by household voltage to roughly 1.4 kW, you’re looking at more than 50 hours to go from empty to full.
That means adding only about 2–3 miles of range per hour of charging. If you drive very little each day and can leave the Solterra plugged in for days at a time, Level 1 can work. But for most people, it’s not practical.
Level 2 charging (240 volts)
A Level 2 home charger uses a 240-volt supply, the same type of circuit as an electric dryer or oven. The 2026 Solterra’s onboard charger supports up to 11 kW AC charging. In real-world use, most home setups will deliver between 9 and 11 kW depending on the amperage and wiring.
At the full 11 kW rate, a completely empty battery would recharge in about 6.6 hours. Even at 9.6 kW — common for 40-amp home chargers — you’re still looking at a full charge in roughly 7.5 hours. That’s easily done overnight, and it means you can add around 25–30 miles of range per hour of charging.
With Level 2 at home, you can arrive with a low battery in the evening and still be ready for a full day of driving the next morning. It also makes quick top-ups during the day far more useful — plugging in for just two hours can give you more than 50 miles of additional range.
DC fast charging (public)
While not the focus for home charging, the 2026 Solterra also benefits from faster DC charging. Thanks to the addition of battery pre-conditioning and improved thermal management, Subaru says you can go from 10% to 80% in about 35 minutes at a 150 kW DC fast charger. The 2026 model also switches to the North American Charging Standard (NACS) port, giving you direct access to Tesla Superchargers.
Final thoughts
If you plan to drive your 2026 Subaru Solterra daily, a Level 2 home charger is the smart choice. It drastically cuts charging times compared to Level 1, fits easily into an overnight schedule, and gives you the flexibility to top up quickly whenever you need to.
Level 1 charging can technically keep the battery full if you drive very little, but it’s painfully slow for regular use. With the upgraded onboard charger and faster charging hardware in the 2026 model, a Level 2 home charger lets you get the most out of your Solterra — now and in the future.
- POWERFUL LEVEL 2 CHARGER FOR ALL TESLA MODELS – The Lectron V-BOX Pro is compatible with all Tesla models (S/3/X/Y & Cybertruck) and features flexible charging options with multiple amp settings (16, 32, 40 & 48A).
- VERSATILE INSTALLATION OPTIONS – Easily plug this Level 2 EV charger into a NEMA 14-50 outlet (40A max) or opt for a hardwired connection (48A max). Includes a 16ft cable for convenient EV access.
- LED LIGHT STATUS INDICATOR – The sleek V-shaped LED on this home EV charging station provides clear status updates for user-friendly operation.
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