The world is rapidly changing and so is the way we get from one place to another. In the past few years, electric cars have made an appearance and have only become more common on the roads over time. The bottom line is that electric cars are here to stay and you may soon find yourself purchasing one if you haven’t already. If you own an EV (electric vehicle), and you’re looking to install an EV charger at home, this article will help you do just that.
What Is an EV Charging Station?
An EV charging station is a charger for your electric vehicle that you can install in your driveway or in your garage. If you’re sold on purchasing an EV charging station, before you get one installed, you should know the difference between the different kinds. There are three charger levels, but only two are useful to homeowners. The third and highest level of charger draws so much power it is only used in industrial scenarios.
Level One Charger
This is the standard charger that comes with most EVs and gets plugged into a conventional three-pronged outlet. Level One chargers require no installation but aren’t very quick when it comes to charging. These chargers are best used for overnight charging as they can take up to 20 hours to completely recharge your vehicle’s battery.
Level Two Charger
Level Two chargers are more powerful and require a corresponding dedicated 240-volt circuit. We highly recommend having a trained, licensed professional install one of these in your garage or driveway. Level Two chargers are much faster than Level One chargers, most being able to fully charge your car in about 3 hours. These kinds of chargers being included with the purchase are becoming more standard with EV sales.
We recommend reviewing these details to decide which electric vehicle charger is best for you. Much of this decision will be based on your budgetary restrictions and how often you feel like you find yourself charging your EV.
Why Install a Home EV Charging Station?
Many electric vehicle owners charge most of their car’s battery at home. Residential charging has proven to be an inexpensive and convenient way of powering electric cars. Compared to the volatile prices of gasoline, using a home charging station ends up being a much more cost-effective method of powering vehicles.
Using the national average of 13 cents per kWh, charging an EV with a 200-mile range comes out to about $9 for a full charge. Depending on the kind of electric car you’re using and how far you’re driving every day, your monthly bill may come out lower than it costs to cool your home with an AC. On top of that, there are financial incentives for getting a charging station installed. You could take advantage of significant utility discounts and rebates that will go a long way for making the installation worthwhile.
Another great reason to install a charging station is the scalability aspect. Once you have one station, you can easily move up to having a second EV at home without having to invest in a whole other station unless you absolutely need it.
Installing an EV Charging Station
As mentioned earlier, an EV generally comes with a Level One charger, which consists of a normal cord and plug. These chargers are easily plugged into any 120V wall outlet, but again are very slow when charging. For this reason, many EV owners decide to purchase a Level Two charger, but these require special installation.
Installing a Level Two EV charger is a much more involved process. Before you take any steps towards installing we recommend that you consult a trusted, local electrician and have them perform the installation.
A licensed electrician will be able to assess your situation by looking at what wiring your house has or what kind of plug you have available to make sure the installation is safe and the end result works as it should. This will also keep your home safe from any electrical fire hazards.
More Factors to Consider When Installing an EV Charging Station
When getting ready to install your EV charging station, you’re going to want to consider the three factors below:
Circuit Size:
The capacity of your electrical circuit will play a big role when choosing the size of the charging station you need. Your charging station should operate at about 80% of your circuit’s capacity or you risk flipping the circuit breaker. Also, charging at a slower rate will improve your charging efficiency.
Amperage:
Amperage is also important. Level Two chargers come in different amperages. The lower amperages work for most hybrids or small EVs, but if you’re looking for a faster-charging speed you’re going to want at least 40 - 50 amps.
Location:
Consider cord length. Depending on whether you put your charging station in your garage or your driveway, you will want to consider the reach of your cord and where the charge port is on your car.
Call your Local, Trusted Electricians
Our electrical professionals are experienced in EV charger installations. If you’re interested in having an EV charging station installed or repaired, just give us a call or visit our website contact page to book your next appointment. Once we get a look at your home we can offer a wide range of solutions that will leave you satisfied.
If you’re ready for your estimate make your appointment today! Remember, You’re Fine With Tru-Line. 727-834-9999
