Refueling your vehicle is a major advantage of driving an electric vehicle. Rather than wasting time at a gas station, EV owners can refuel their vehicle in the convenience of their own home. On average Americans drive 30 miles each day. With that mileage, a standard 3-prong (level 1) outlet can charge your EV overnight. Drive more? Nearly all level 2 chargers can accommodate your refueling needs. See below to find out the differences in charging your vehicle.
VEHICLE CHARGING OPTIONS
GETTING YOUR HOME READY
This section will provide tips and tricks for installing a charging station in your own home.
Level 1 chargers typically come with the purchase of any EV, however when buying used EV’s it is good to ensure one will be provided. If you need a Level 2 charger those will cost around $350 – $900 for the station, and roughly $400 – $1700 for installation. It is recommended to determine how much additional electricity is needed for your EV before purchasing a new charger and installing it. Another thing to consider are the types of outlets available. Level 1 chargers can use any standard three-pronged outlet (the same one you charge your phone on), but this comes at the cost of a low charging rate. The Level 2 charger can not utilize the standard three-pronged outlet, rather they need a NEMA 14-30, 14-50, 6-30, or 6-50 outlet. These are the ones that bring power to larger appliances like your washer and dryer. If those outlets are available, your cost of installation will be significantly lower. If not, then one of those outlets will need to be installed by an electrician.
So, while Level 2 chargers can be more costly, they will always ensure that you start your day with a full charge. They also help reduce carbon emissions more than Level 1 chargers, due to their faster, more efficient rate of charge. Charging at night helps to ease the electricity demand by spreading it out past just the day time. Furthermore, night charging typically utilizes renewable sources of energy.
QUESTIONS FOR ELECTRICIANS
Do you want to charge away from home? Find out more about the growing number of public stations in your state.