Electric Vehicle Charging in Your Home – DFW

Electric Vehicle Chargers

There are three different types/levels for charging your electric vehicle, with only two charging stations solutions that are reasonable for the home. The three levels vary according to your charging demands and how fast you want a full charge.

Level 1 EVSE

Level 1 charging involves using an ordinary household outlet 120 VAC. It is super convenient and does not require any electrical installation, as long as you have a plug near the area you will be charging your electric car. The downside is the time required to fully charge your vehicle. Times may vary, but for a full charge expect 22 hours. A level 1 charging is expected to provide enough power for 4.5 miles of range per hour. This is not a great solution if you plan to drive back and forth to work. An average round trip of 50 miles for work would require at least 11 hours of charging. Running additional errands will require more than 11 hours.

Level 2 EVSE

Level 2 requires 208 – 240 VAC installation which is similar to a dryer. The level 2 provides AC power to the charging station and the actual cord and plug are not powered until plugged into the onboard charger. Depending on your vehicle a full charge can be acquired between 2 – 10+ hours. The installation of a level 2 charging station in the home requires a dedicated circuit line with an appropriate sized breaker for the particular charging station requirements. Before moving forward with installation, the electrical panel needs to be examined and determined first if you have room for an additional breaker. In some occurrences, a panel may need to be replaced because it is not capable of safely providing the needs for a correct EVSE set-up. Consult with an electrician.