A Guide to Installing a Home EV Charging Station
Having an EV charger at home is the best way to charge the vehicle.
Electric cars are good for the environment, economical to run, and need low maintenance. However, what troubles EV owners and potential buyers are when and how they will charge their vehicles.
As electric cars become more commonplace, the demand for home EV charging stations has also increased. Having an EV charger at home is the best way to charge the vehicle and does away with the need to search for a public charging station or wait in a long queue to charge the car. Any individual can install EV charging points, but only an experienced electrical contractor should handle the installation. It ensures a correct and safe installation and avoids problems down the road.
What is a home EV charging station, and how does it work?
A home EV charging station is a charger to charge your electric vehicle or plug-in hybrid vehicle battery from the comfort of the home. It can be installed in the driveway or the garage. Like the chargers of other chargeable appliances and devices, an EV charger pulls electric current from the outlet to charge the electric vehicle.
There are two charging options available for homeowners:
Level 1 charger
A level one electric charger comes with the car. While one end is plugged directly into the vehicle, the other goes into a standard 3-prong, 120V outlet. Level one charger does not require any unique setup but has an unsatisfactory charging rate. They are more suitable for overnight charging and can take up to 20 hours to fully charge the battery. Therefore, level one chargers are not ideal for long-distance commuters.
Level 2 charger
Level two chargers must be purchased separately and need a slightly more complicated setup. Level 2 chargers require a dedicated 240-V outlet. Furthermore, these chargers are more powerful and reliable and offer a faster charging rate than level one chargers. Although the choice of charger usually depends on budget and vehicle charging frequency, most EV owners prefer level 2 chargers.
Benefits of installing a home EV charger
Lower charging cost than public charging stations
Safer
Convenient and offers more control over when to charge the vehicle
Better for battery health
Home chargers are durable and also compatible with varied EV car
Increased property value
Get benefit of tax breaks and rebates offered by the government for homeowners looking to install home EV chargers
Factors to consider while adding a home EV charging station
Electric vehicle’s make and model
Location of the charging station
The electric circuit capacity. The charging rate should be 80% of the circuit’s capacity, or it will flip the circuit breaker. Another reason to charge at a slower rate is that it improves the charging efficiency.
Charger amperage. People looking for fast charging should buy level 2 chargers with higher amperage.
Install a home-based EV charging station
Consult a local electrical contractor if you want to install a home EV charging station. A licensed electrician will carefully assess the wiring and ensure safe and correct installation to get the desired results and protect the home from any electrical hazard.
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