How to Install an Electric Car Charging Station
Though an electric car provides many cost-saving benefits to its owner, it also raises the question of how to access an electric charging station to recharge the car when needed. Thus, many people simply opt to have one installed in their home for added convenience and peace of mind.
Electric Vehicle Charging Station Types
However, what types of charging stations are available, and what are the costs associated with installing them? We’ll discuss that next.
Level 1 Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
A level 1 electric vehicle charging station is the most basic type of car charging station. However, it uses the same low-power 110 to 120-volt AC current flow provided by a common 3-prong outlet, so it will take all night or more to fully charge your car.
Level 2 Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
Level 2 electric vehicle charging stations provide about 240 volts more power than level 1 charging stations.
This means it also charges your car in about half the time, or 12 hours or less, especially if you have a hybrid electrical vehicle. You can also purchase a level 2 portable charger and plug it into the same power outlet as your clothes dryer to charge your car. Or you can simply take it with you while travelling.
Level 3 Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
Level 3 electric vehicle charging stations are designed for commercial use, so naturally, they have the fastest charging times. In fact, a level 3 charging station can have your EV fully charged and ready to go in just about an hour or less.
The Cost to Install a Level 1, Level 2, or Level 3 Electric Vehicle Charging Station in Your Home
Various factors will determine the cost of installing an EV charging station in your home. For instance, as we just saw, different car charging stations provide different volts of power, so the amount of electricity your chosen charging station provides will affect its cost.
The amount of electricity your charging station provides also determines how complex it will be to install. Therefore, this will factor into the cost of installation. Therefore, for level 1 EV charging, you may choose to simply charge your vehicle into a common 3-prong outlet in your garage or outside your home to forego installation costs.
However, for level 2 and level 3 charging, which requires more complex hard wiring, you will need to have an experienced electrician install the station, which will increase the installation cost.
In some cases, the electrician may also need to upgrade your home’s electrical system to accommodate the installation, which will increase your costs.
You will most likely also need permission from your local authorities to install an electric car charging station in your residence, so the electrician can also help you obtain any permits. However, you should be prepared to pay another $150 or more for the permit, depending on your location.
In the meantime, most electric vehicles come equipped with a level 1 charger to charge your car, which helps save costs if you install a level 1 charging station in your home.
However, if you are installing a level 2 or level 3 charging station in your home, or your car simply did not include a level 1 charging cable, then you will also need to purchase a charging cable that is compatible with your station to charge your car, which will also add to the cost.
You can also choose to have your charging cable mounted on the wall for added convenience. However, this will also increase the installation price.
So, in the end, installing a level 1 or level 2 electric car charging station in your home will cost about $1,000 to $2,000 or more. But for the time it saves locating a commercial charging station nearby, many people find installing their own charging station worth it.
However, installing a level 3 electric car charging station in your home may be prohibited in most areas because it draws a significant amount of power, more than what most residential electric grids can handle.
It can also cost up to $40,000 or more to install a level 3 car station in your home. Hence, it may also be more cost-effective to simply visit a commercial charging station when charging your car.
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