Despite popular belief, an electric vehicle’s charger is actually under the hood. The wall-mounted box which supplies the vehicle with electricity may look like the charger, but it’s actually not—the wall mounted box is called “electric vehicle supply equipment” (EVSE), and while it’s not the vehicle’s charger, an electric vehicle cannot charge without it.
EVSE, which typically supplies 240 volts of electricity, can be thought of as large power supply: they’re not what’s charging your electric vehicle, rather they’re what’s safely providing power to your EV charger. According to EnergySage the average electric vehicle owner does 80 percent of their charging at home, and this is largely because EVSE units, once installed, are quite easy to operate.
There are many things one should consider before installing an EVSE system. Some points worth considering may be obvious while others are easily overlooked. If you’re debating getting an EV charger installation, consult the six points below before you rush into a decision.
If you own an electric vehicle, chances are you know the basics behind your vehicle’s electric functions. Therefore, you probably know how important EV chargers are; but do you know how these devices work?
The devices that actually charge your electric vehicle are situated deep within the vehicle’s hood. In order for your vehicle to charge, these devices must be connected to an external power source, one which can handle the power transfer. This is where EVSE comes in—EVSE serves as the link between your vehicle’s charger and the source of power.
Of course not all EVSE are created equal; some units can be plugged directly into a wall outlet while others require a professional installation by a qualified electrician. Homeowners looking for Level 2 EV charger systems typically hire experts when they want effective chargers installed, as DIY installation can result in costly damages and hazardous conditions.
Since more and more individuals are becoming environmentally conscious, electric vehicles are becoming increasingly popular. Electric vehicles are very sought after, especially since an electric vehicle can be easily recharged in the comfort of its driver’s home.
The cost of the actual unit (EVSE) without professional installation can range from $500 upwards depending on the model . The cost of the installation can also vary depending on the complexity of the install, distance from the main power supply, additional cabling, etc. If you live in the Dallas – Fort Worth Metro and wish to get a more accurate estimate do not hesitate to reach us.
When considering how much an EV charger installation costs, it’s a good idea to weigh costs and benefits of installation. Also consider how much you’d be paying on fuel if you didn’t drive electric—this disparity in costs is typically enough to persuade homeowners into installing a charging station.
Charging stations for electric vehicles are great on their own, but there are plenty of upgrades you can add when installing a charging station to improve overall performance.
Level 1 vs. Level 2 – When it comes to EV charging stations, there are two types most people purchase: level 1 and level 2. Most electric vehicle manufacturers provide their customers with basic level 1 charging station, and these can be attached to a wall outlet in the home with little to no complications. The downside of the level 1 systems is that due to their limited power can be slow to charge your EV.
Level 2 charging stations, on the other hand, require dedicated circuits in order to operate efficiently, but on the upside they are way faster to recharge your EV and hence make it a top choice amongst EV owners. Before purchasing a level 2 station, consult with an electrician to see if your home has the power supply necessary to support a level 2 station. If you want to know more about these stations, read this post
Wifi-Enabled Stations – Choosing one of these will make installation more expensive, but they’re worth it if you’re someone who likes their devices being “smart” and interconnected. You can use your smartphone to monitor charging progress, view power levels and even get notified when you EV is done charging.
As it’s been said earlier, most EV chargers require 240 volts of electricity to charge. Also discussed earlier were the differences between level 1 and level 2 charging stations, and these differences are very important when considering power requirements. When it comes to charger installation, knowing how much power is required, as well as how much power your system is able to output, is critically important. If you install a device that requires more energy than your home’s electric system can supply, you may be putting yourself at risk, and there’s a good chance you could damage the charging station, your vehicle’s charger, and other facets of the vehicle if you don’t plan correctly.
The best place for your EVSE unit is anywhere close to where you park your car. You’ll want to keep the system inside, of course. If you’re going to be using a wall-mounted system, measuring the distance between the wall and your vehicle’s charger is a good idea. The cables that come with most charging stations are between 15 and 25 feet long, so considering cable length before installation is recommended.
If you must set up an EVSE a considerable distance away from where you normally park your car, the electrician installing your system will likely have to install longer-than-usual cables, so expect to pay more in labor and equipment costs.
Most homeowners looking for EV charger installation in Fort Worth elect to house their systems inside their garages, and this makes sense considering the garage provides protection as well as convenient access to the power.
There are several popular electric vehicle charging stations available on the market today; some of the most popular units include:
JuiceBox Pro 40 – This smart device is wifi-enabled and classified as a level 2 charging station. These are currently going for around $549 on Amazon. This 40-amp unit comes with a 24-foot J1772 cable as well as a six-foot input cable that has a 14-50P plug. If you want to charge your vehicle fast, consider purchasing this system.
Siemens VC30GRYU Versicharge 30-Amp EV Charger – This affordable station is currently going for $500, and it’s appealing because it’s not a difficult system to use. This system also offers a delay feature, which may come in handy if you don’t want to charge for long periods of time. It’s important to point out that this station is considerably big, so it’s not ideal if you’re working with limited space.
If you’re an electric vehicle driver who’s tired of using the slow standard charging station, get in touch with our expert electricians to get a more efficient level 2 system installed in your home. We can help you design and install a first-rate charging setup, that way your vehicle is never without a charge when you need it most. We can set up any kind of system, including those made by Chevy, Ford, Honda, Leaf, Nissan, Tesla, and Toyota. Get in touch with us today!