Shortly after switching to an electric vehicle (EV), you’ll need ways to charge it for continued use. You can have a home EV charger installed for your convenience at your home or condo to heighten the EV owner experience.
What Is an EV Home Charger?
As the name suggests, a home EV charger is a piece of charging equipment to recharge your electric car at home. Home EV chargers operate on 240-volt circuits (like the one for your stove). They’re incredibly convenient, saving you tons of time and plenty of money versus using DC fast chargers in your community or on the road.
You can simply drive home and plug in your EV in your own garage or carport and wake up to it fully charged vehicle in the morning (most manufacturers recommend charging your EV to 80% most of the time, but you get what we mean).
Which EV Charger Should You Use at Home?
Many electric vehicles come with a standard 110-volt plug-in charger for home use. These 110-volt plug-in chargers are also known as Level 1 chargers – they only charge 3 to 5 miles of range per hour. An eight-hour overnight charge will only put 24 to 40 miles of range on your vehicle.
This may work well if you have a short commute, but if you drive for work or need more range than a Level 1 charger can provide, an upgrade may be welcomed.
Level 2 EV chargers are built for higher electric loads and require a 240-volt outlet. Some Level 2 chargers might simply plug into the nearest 240-volt outlet (if you happen to have one in your garage), while others might require hardwiring into your electric panel with the help of an electrician.
You’ll find that Level 2 home chargers are typically slower than most public chargers. This is a good thing, as continually using superfast charging can wear down your battery. Level 2 chargers are slower and don’t overload the battery as much, which can help extend the life of your battery.
How Fast Are Home EV Chargers?
Level 2 chargers provide 40 to 80 miles of range per hour. This will give you a full battery during an overnight charge. While Level 2 chargers are slower than DC fast chargers you can find in public, they’re many times faster than Level 1 and work with the electric capacity of your home.
Which Home EV Charger Is Right for Me?
Which EV charger is right for you will depend on the type of charge port of your EV as well as its compatibility with your home’s electric service.
It’s a good idea to consult first with your electrician, your auto dealer, and your local electric utility before purchasing a charger, to make sure it’s compatible with your EV and your home – and that your electrician can easily and safely install it.
In general, most EVs use a J1772 port. Tesla vehicles are well-known exceptions to this rule of thumb.
EV Charging Station Installation Considerations
Some things to think about before having your home charger installed include the location of the charger (you want it positioned in your garage, carport, or driveway near your EV’s charge port when it’s parked), whether the charger will be plug-in or hardwired, how easy the charger is to use, and whether you want features such as the ability to monitor the charging via an app on your phone.
EV Charging Station Contractors in Florida
The electrical team at FAST is ready to help you install a home EV charger. Residents in the St. Petersburg area can start reaping the benefits of an at-home charging port today! Call us at 727-273-7810 or schedule service online.