EV charging stations are becoming ever more popular with the explosion of electric car sales. EV charging stations are the mechanism which refuels the battery supply of an electric vehicle similar to a gas pump for traditionally powered vehicles. EV technology has been around for decades, but only recent technological breakthroughs have enabled vehicle range and charging times to reach levels feasible for use with the general public. Now EV chargers can be found in supermarket parking lots, highway rest stops and installed at the home of electric vehicle owners.
EV chargers have gotten increasingly efficient in their ability to recharge electric vehicles, which have allowed for those vehicles to quickly gain in popularity. However, as more power is required to be transferred to the vehicle in a shorter period of time; better electrical infrastructure within an individual’s home is likely needed. In the past, there were EV chargers which could utilize a standard outlet, however; this would result in roughly 5 miles of range per hour added to the vehicle’s battery. This made charging at home impractical and resulted in electric vehicles becoming popular once a stronger charger was available for residential use. Consulting a licensed electrician for your EV charger installation is always recommended.
Are EV Charging Stations Universal?
EV charging stations are not universal. Specifically Tesla and other major electric vehicle manufacturers have different inputs which are not compatible with each other without using a converter. Additionally, there are multiple types of EV charger based upon the level of power which is being transferred to the vehicle battery. A Level 1 EV charger utilizes the same electrical output as a cell phone charger and is extremely inefficient when it comes to recharging a vehicle. A Level 2 EV charger provides a much faster charge time, but also requires a high level of electrical infrastructure within a building. There are also Level 3 EV chargers which are mainly utilized in commercial situations. Due to the current cost of installation for Level 3 EV chargers these are not very feasible for residential use.
- Level 1 EV Charger
- Same power output as a cellphone charger
- Level 2 EV Charger
- Most commonly installed charger; likely requires additional electrical work
- Level 3 EV Charger
- Most common for industrial/commercial use and very uncommon for residential use
How Much Does an EV Charging Station Cost
The cost of an EV charger is going to range based on the company which you select to do the work. However, in most cases; installing the electric vehicle charging station is not the only work which will be required. When an electrician installs an EV charging station, it is very likely that the electrical service within the home needs to be upgraded to support the charging station. If you are looking to have a Level 2 EV Charger installed rather than dealing with the slow charging of a Level 1 EV Charger, then a 240V circuit may need to be run to a car owner’s garage or to an outdoor area. In addition to this 240V circuit, additional electrical work may be needed to support the additional electrical load. This is especially true if you are looking to have more than one EV charger installed in your home.
The answer is that the cost of installing an EV charging station can vary by $1,000s of dollar depending upon the type of charger you would like to have installed as well as the existing electrical infrastructure of your home. The best way to get an exact quote for your EV charging station is to request a free quote from a licensed electrician in your area.
How to Find EV Charging Stations
If you have an electric vehicle and have a Level 2 charger installed at your home, you have made it fast and easy to recharge your electric vehicle while home. However, when traveling or when on vacation, you may not have this same luxury. If you have an electric vehicle then it is extremely important to plan your trips prior to leaving to ensure you will not be caught in an area without charge to power your EV. If you have a Tesla, the most popular EV on the road today, their website makes it easy to plan your trip by seeing Tesla charging stations along the route. You just have to visit their website. You are also able to visit evnavigation.com to help you find electric vehicle charging stations while you are traveling. Additionally, this website provides features which allow you to see estimated distance based upon remaining battery.
If you are considering having an EV charger installed, talk with a licensed electrician whose opinion you can trust. The Wire Doctors are experts on EV chargers and are happy to provide you with a quote for the installation of an EV charger at your home. Contact us today if you are interested in learning more about our EV charging station services.
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