Tag: Home Charging Station

With the rising popularity of electric vehicles, the days are gone when owning an event, taking long trips to far-away stations or living nearby the charging station. With convenience and sustainability, electric vehicle chargers can be sold for home usage, to give you peace of mind.

 

If you are considering installing an EV home charger, we will discuss the cost of EV charger installation in this article. We will also look into the factors positive and negative regarding EV Installation. Let’s dive right into it.

 

EV Charger

Like any other charger, an EV charger is a piece of equipment required to charge an electric vehicle. The only difference between a normal charger of a mobile and an EVS of a vehicle, is that it is larger and similar to the gas pumps that have supplies through machines to provide the battery required by an electric vehicle to run on. 

 

It comes in 3 levels: level 1, level 2, and level 3 DC fast charging. According to the level, three different types of charging stations are characterized by each level equipped with unique characteristics.

 

Types of Charging stations

The Level 1 charging stations produce 120 volts from standard outlets and are used for emergency charging. Such charging stations come included with the purchase of an EV and can provide charging for about 2 to 5 miles of range per hour of charging. People who are commuting short routes can benefit from the level-one charging stations.

 

As compared to the level 1 charging stations, Level 2 chargers offer 5 to 7 times faster charging speed with a power outlet of 240 volts, providing up to 19.2 kilowatts. You can hardwire such chargers to your home circuit, which is not included in purchasing an electric vehicle.

A qualified electrician is only suited to install search chargers that can make your vehicle run up to 25 miles per hour of charging. Level 2 charges are the most convenient and preferred choice of electric vehicle owners as they are faster than Level 1 and offer greater range.

 

Level 3 stations offer 480 volts of direct current and can charge your vehicle in around 30 minutes, also known as DC fast charges. Due to electrical requirements and powerful infrastructure, these charging stations cannot be installed at home.

Still, a special permit with an extensive upgrade of the electrical circuitry in your home can make suitable accommodations for home charging station installation. However, this is a costly procedure leading to the expenditure of $50,000.

 

The installation cost of Level 2 charger

Level 2 charger is an ideal type of EV Home Charger Installation which is either universal or vehicle-specific, ranging around $500 to $3,000 in cost, which includes the additional electrical work done. Many other factors can affect the cost of the installation process.

If your home electrical circuitry outlet consists of a 240-volt outlet, then the basic installation of an EV charger will be significantly less expensive as the charger can be mounted next to the outlet. However, if new wirings and outlets are required, the installation process can increase from $2,000 to $3,000.

 

One way you can minimize your cost is by hard wiring the charger directly to the wall instead of installing a NEMA outlet plug that would cost a higher on the material. A professional electrician will be able to assess your home’s electrical system by ensuring maximum safety and compliance with rules and regulations.

 

Final words

Investing in home EV chargers is highly beneficial as they offer maximum convenience and mental peace with lowering your dependence and Reliance on public charges or traditional gas stations.

At the same time, the installation process might look a bit hectic and costly. However, it is worth the effort and costs in the long run and can save you time for long-distance traveling.

Driving an electric vehicle (EV) is now more convenient and straightforward than ever, thanks to home charging

When you switch from a 110-volt wall outlet to a quicker, 240V “Level 2” home charger, which can provide 12 to 60 miles of Range Per Hour of charging, home EV charging gets even better. You may maximize the use of your EV and use it on more short- and long-distance excursions by investing in a faster charger.

 

The J1772TM connector, which is used by most home chargers, can be used to charge any EV, but Tesla chargers can only be used with Tesla cars. Although compatibility with your car will likely be fine for your home charger, there are many other factors to consider. To help you choose the best charger, let’s look at some of the most crucial things to think about and questions to ask about charging at home.

 

How quickly do you want to charge? 

All Level 2 chargers use 240V. However, a charger’s amperage, or electrical current, determines how quickly batteries will charge. Depending on the range of your EV, how far you travel, and how you drive, you may require a faster charge at home if any of these factors apply to you. For example, if you commute a long distance or drive fast all the time.

 

 A 32-amp Home Charging Station is suitable for many vehicles because most EVs can use roughly 32 amps, adding about 25 miles of range every hour of charging. With a faster 50-amp charger that can add around 37 miles of range in an hour, you might also want to go faster or get ready for your next vehicle.

 

How much space does your electrical panel have? 

As stated, a 240V electrical connection is necessary for all Level 2 chargers. You must pick a charger whose amperage, or current level, is compatible with the electrical capacity accessible in both your home and your car. For instance, a circuit breaker with a minimum 50-amp rating is required if you want to buy a 40-amp Level 2 charger. 

 

Check your electrical panel to find out how many amps your house has for charging. Either open the panel door and look for an unused circuit breaker or consult an electrician. You might need to improve your electrical service if your panel is full or about full.

 

What location do you want your charger to be in? 

Opt for an Ev Home Charger Installation to your electrical panel if you can. A weatherproof charger approved for outdoor usage lets you put it indoors or out based on where you wish to park. Installing your charger next to the garage door can simplify charging several automobiles. However, look for an EV Home Charger that will accept a NEMA 6-50 or 14-50 plug, two popular plug types that electrical contractors can easily install. Using a dryer circuit is typically not safe for chargers.

 

How significant are both safety and dependability to you? 

You can use a charger confidently in your house and with your EV if it has passed testing and certification by a nationally renowned testing laboratory. 

 

A charger’s ENERGY STAR accreditation demonstrates that it consumes less energy when it is not charging, which can assist in cutting down on your electricity costs. A portable charger could sound interesting for vacation, but dealing with cords and plugs lying on the ground when you charge practically every day becomes old quickly and is not very safe, especially if you have young children (human or animal) scurrying around. 

 

Consider purchasing a wall-mounted charging station with a secure hook for the connector and charging cord to hang from when not in use.

Make sure to research the charger’s warranty and support options and the company’s reputation before making a purchase. A 3-year guarantee from a reputable charging firm is a requirement, and 24-hour phone support is helpful when you need a charge but are having trouble figuring something out.

 

Conclusion

The cost of EV installation is not included in the price of a home charger. If you need to increase the power capacity of your electrical panel, installing a home charger could be pricey. Avoid costly upgrades with a flexible amperage charger. It’s time to look at your options now that you know what to think about when selecting a home charger.