So you’ve bought a new electric vehicle or are thinking about purchasing one soon. That’s great! But might cause some confusion when it comes to getting it charged up. That’s where we can help.
Level 1 Chargers
Right out of the box your electric vehicle is ready to get charged. This Level 1 charger comes with your car and can be plugged right into a standard 120 volt outlet.
If you’re going this route, it’s important that the outlet you’re using is on its own dedicated circuit. A dedicated electrical circuit means that no other devices are connected to this outlet. This should also be a GFCI type receptable to help protect against electrical shocks.
One of the drawbacks to using a Level 1 charger is that it can take a long time to fully charge your vehicle. It can potentially take 12 hours to charge some vehicles using only standard house power.
It really depends on which vehicle you own, but you can expect to get about 3 to 5 miles for every hour that your car is charging. If you’re driving short distances and your battery never makes it to empty, this might be a good option for you.
Level 2 Chargers
If you need a higher level of charge to go longer distances and charge faster, you might want to consider a Level 2 charger. This charger will charge your vehicle in a shorter amount of time allowing you to drive longer distances.
Where a Level 1 charger takes an hour to charge 3 to 5 miles, a Level 2 charger can fully charge your vehicle in 4 to 6 hours.
Technically the charger is inside the vehicle and not the element that is mounted on the wall. This box that is mounted on the wall is called Electric Vehicle Service Equipment or EVSE. This device allows you to connect your electric vehicle to 240 volts of electricity safely.
What Type Of Level 2 EVSE Do I Need?
There are various types of Level 2 chargers or EVSE and the one you need depends on a couple different things.
Cost of EVSE
The average price of an EVSE is from $500 to $700. There are ones that cost less and some that cost more, but this is what you’re looking at on average. Unless you’re installing it yourself, this price does not include the installation.
To save on costs, be sure to read about all the features included in the EVSE. Eliminate the features you won’t be using and this should make the cost go down.
Amperage
In order to charge your electric vehicle, make sure that your EVSE can handle at least 30 amps. This usually means that a 30-amp service will give you roughly a 30 mile per hour charge.
Location
It’s important to decide where you want to install the EVSE. Take into consideration the location of the EVSE and the charging port on your car. Traditional cables from EVSE run from about 15 to 25 feet. Make sure that your charger can easily make it far enough to the charger port in your car.
Location can also add to the cost of installation. Electricians might have to add conduit in order to connect it to your electrical panel. We can give you more information about this when you want to schedule or get a free estimate.
Incentives and Rebates
Incentives and rebates vary state by state. California has been offering rebates on EVSE since 2015 but they are limited and are on a first come, first served basis. Some power companies also offer lower rates to those who charge their vehicles at off-peak times – this may require a separate meter to measure the amount of electricity going to the vehicle.
You can find a lot of information about rebates and incentives online. Clipper Creek, an EVSE manufacturing company, offers a great state by state breakdown of all the available rebates. Click here for more information.
Need A EVSE Quote?
Just fill out the form below and we will get back to you as soon as possible with a quote for your EV car charger installation.