Just think: you’ll never have to go to a gas station again.
Most first-time electric car buyers are curious about the process of charging their vehicle at home. It may seem like a dream come true for someone who has always relied on fuel to keep their automobile running.
So, how to install an electric vehicle charging station at home?
First things first, only a licensed electrician can lawfully install a home charging station in a residence if they have the appropriate training and certification for the devices they are installing.
Don’t attempt to install an EV charger on your own unless you’re an experienced electrician. Always go for a skilled professional who has undergone the appropriate training and certifications to perform the installation.
Product manager Mike Mueller of Bosch says, “If you can install a 240-volt dryer outlet, you can install an EV charger.” He extensively discusses the many electrical codes that govern this type of installation.
When you buy an electric vehicle or a plug-in hybrid, you may be eligible for discounts or other incentives to help cover the cost of the charger and its installation. Not only is it easy, but it may also be free to work with a professional.
Do-it-yourselfers who want to get down to the nitty-gritty are encouraged to read the entire article. We will be covering everything from installation cost to maintenance and more.
One of the most challenging issues for electric vehicle (EVs) owners is determining when and how to charge their cars.
Since most Americans have used gas-powered automobiles all their lives, filling up at one of the thousands of gas stations as their tank goes empty makes sense.
EVs have several benefits, but making the shift requires a little more forethought, considering the lack of charging stations. Still, with the increase in demand and government incentives for alternative fuel vehicles, public EV charging stations are becoming more common.
So, whether you’re the proud owner of an electric vehicle or are considering the installation of a public EV charging station on your residential site, it is first necessary to know how the EV charger operates.
How an Electric Vehicle Charger Works
Owning an electric vehicle (EV) is strongly intertwined with an EV’s ownership. Most all-electric cars do not have a petrol tank; instead of filling your vehicle with gallons of fuel, you plug into a charging station to recharge.
An electric vehicle, like your smartphone, is powered by a battery that allows it to function. It will not work unless there is no power stored, just like your phone’s battery.
Similarly, where there is no electricity stored in an electric vehicle’s battery pack, the car will not move. The electricity stored is depleted as the car is used, much as it is with a smartphone.
Most electric vehicle users charge their vehicle at home 80% of the time. Listed here are the many types of electric vehicle charging stations by different levels along with their prices:
Installing Electric Vehicle Charging Station by Levels
Chargers for electric vehicles (EVs) have levels rather than grades. An EV’s battery can be recharged at one of three levels.
- Level 1 EV Charging Station
- Level 2 EV Charging Station
- Level 3 EV Charging Station
A charger’s output kilowatts (kW) is the most common measure of its power. For the most part, a higher charging level means a greater output of power and a shorter charging time for your electric car.
At a rate of 3 to 20 miles per minute, Level 3 charging is the fastest mode for recharging electric vehicles. Direct current (DC) is used instead of alternating current (AC) in Level 3 charging.
Read How far can an electric car go on one charge?
Installing Level 1 EV Charging Station
The simplest sort of charging station is a Level 1 station. To put it another way, the charging cable that comes with an electric vehicle (EV) is a Level 1 charger.
In most cases, the three-prong plug of these chargers is all that is needed to connect them to a regular grounded wall socket.
Despite their simplicity and low price, Level 1 chargers have a downside: they have a low charge rate.
A good rule of thumb when charging an EV using a Level 1 charger is four miles of battery range for every hour of charging. Recharging a 200-mile-range electric vehicle can take around 50 hours.
Only use Level 1 charging solutions unless you have a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle. You can recharge the battery overnight with a normal PHEV.
Plug your Level 1 EV charger into a conventional 120-volt wall outlet, and you’re good to go.
There is no additional installation required for this type of charger. What sets Level 1 systems apart from other types of charging is that you don’t need a professional to install them, and you can do it yourself.
Read How to Select Battery for Electric Car?
Installing Level 2 EV Charging Station
The Level 2 charger is the step-up in the EV charging station system. Level 2 devices employ 240-volt circuits, exactly the sort of electrical circuit that is generally used for electric hair dryers.
Level 2 chargers are portable and use a multi-pronged socket and circuit similar to those used in clothes dryers.
Laundry rooms in many homes are equipped with a circuit and outlet for this purpose. However, unplugging your dryer to use your electric car charger is a hassle.
As a result, the great majority of consumers who want to install a Level 2 charging station in their home hire an electrician to install a 240-volt circuit in their storage space.
The charging station can be “hard-wired” into the garage’s power supply once the power is available. It’s also possible to plug a portable Level 2 charger into the 240-volt socket in your garage and carry the charger with you when you go on vacation.
Changing a home’s power wiring can be time-consuming and expensive. But the most important benefit is that recharge times are greatly sped up.
When it comes to charging electric vehicles, Level 2 charging stations can recharge an EV battery in a quarter of the time it would take to do so with a Level 1 charging unit.
You can recharge an EV’s battery in around 12 hours or less if it has a range of 200 miles. Use a Level 2 charging station with a PHEV, and you will be able to recharge it in a couple of hours.
When installing appliances such as an electric dryer or oven, the method is similar to 240 volts. However, because a typical wall outlet only supplies 120 volts, this requires a specific installation technique.
It’s always a good idea to hire a professional electrician to install a Level 2 EV charger because of the complexity and risk involved.
Electrical installation errors can cause serious damage to your home and electrical equipment, which is why many local building standards demand professional inspections and permits in the first place.
An electrician or company that provides professional installation charges between $200 and $1,000, and this price can grow much higher for complex installations.
Read What Happens if an Electric Car Gets Wet?
Installing Level 3 EV Charging Station
A Level 3 charging station is geared for business usage and is the most advanced form available for charging stations.
Also known as DC Fast Charging, level 3 charging is the fastest way to charge your electric vehicle. It is possible to recharge an EV battery from zero to full in less than an hour at some Level 3 facilities.
A complete Level 3 charging station installation may potentially cost $50,000 or even more. The electric system in many residential areas cannot support the installation of a Level 3 charger, so even if you have the cash, your electricity provider is unlikely to approve the installation.
DC Fast Chargers (Level 3) are generally utilized in industrial and commercial settings because they can be excessively costly and require powerful equipment to function. This means that DC Fast Chargers are not currently accessible for home use.
Most Level 3 chargers can deliver 80% of the charge to compatible vehicles in 30 minutes, making them ideal for public charging stations.
If you have a Tesla Model S and are interested in “supercharging your vehicle,” you can do it. Supercharging the Model S in half an hour can provide 170 miles of range to the vehicle. Not all Level 3 chargers are suitable for all cars, which is a serious factor to consider when using one.
Before relying on Level 3 chargers to recharge your electric vehicle on the road, be sure you know which public charging stations are compatible with your vehicle.
A public electric vehicle charging station’s fees are also varied. Charges can vary greatly depending on the service provider you use.
Monthly flat rates, per-minute charges, or a hybrid of the two are the options available for charging station prices for electric vehicles (EVs). Look into your area’s public charging options to locate the one that works best for your car.
Read How Much Money Do You Save With an Electric Car
How to Charge an Electric Vehicle
As discussed, there are three different levels of charging an EV and PHEV.
You can connect the car to a typical Level 1 domestic wall socket by plugging it in or to a Level 2 home charging station, which makes use of a higher powerful 240-volt outlet, comparable to what is required for some households appliances, to charge it faster.
Alternatively, you can make use of a public charging station that offers Level 2 or Level 3 charging service.
Once you’ve parked your vehicle and are ready to connect, the charging station may be free to use, or it may need payment through a credit card or a smartphone app with which you’ve created an account.
Which Level Charger is Right for Me
If you have a PHEV, you can use Level 1 charging without any additional costs other than the cost of the electricity.
Level 2 charging stations are typically found in public places, such as shopping malls and government facilities. Recharging a battery can take many hours for an electric vehicle, which means you’ll have to leave your house or workplace to use them.
It is better to have a Level 2 home charging station along with whatever electrical improvements your home might require to accommodate it.
For a Level 3 charger, you’ll have to pay a fee, which might be high depending on your speed needs. However, it is worth it as Level 3 is the fastest method of recharging an EV.
Final Thought
Many individuals ask if they can install an EV home charging station independently. Installing a home charging station for an electric vehicle (EV) is an excellent idea, but it’s not something you should attempt on your own if you can afford to hire a professional.
Many people wish to avoid the expense of hiring a professional by taking charge of the installation. Although, it is strongly recommended to seek the services of an expert engineer rather than doing it yourself.
Regardless of how great you are with DIY installation, you should always consult an experienced electrician if you want to install an EV home charging station.
Some EV charging stations may also lose their guarantee if an electrician certified by the manufacturer does not install them. After all, nobody wants to risk that.
The cost of driving an EV per mile is significantly cheaper than gas-powered vehicles. Obtaining and installing an EV home charging station is an initial investment that must be made before turning entirely electric. If you really want to ditch your reliance on oil, investing in an EV might be the right decision for you.
My name is Matthew, staying in Seattle, Washington. Electric Vehicles (Electric Cars & Electric bikes) caught my attention for the last few years and my love for electric cars and bikes is everlasting. I spend many of my weekends traveling to various places all over various cities with my electric vehicle (e-bike and electric car). Here I am sharing my expertise, experience, and invaluable information about electric cars and electric bikes. Check out more.