With the rise in popularity of electric vehicles, more car owners are needing to install electric vehicle chargers in their homes. Electric vehicle owners need to invest in a charging solution that gives them a convenient, fast and cost-effective way to power their vehicle. It also needs to fit within their current home’s specifications. Here is a guide to help EV owners decide on what kind of charger they should install in their homes.
Charging Speed
The first factor to consider when purchasing an EV charger is the charging speed. Check out the charger’s specifications to determine how long it takes for the vehicle to be fully charged. Charging speeds vary significantly and are sometimes determined by the price of the charger. The best chargers that may be at the top of the price point can charge a partially-charged vehicle in 20 minutes and deliver a full charge in an hour. Lower-priced chargers may take from four to almost 50 hours to fully charge your vehicle.
Location Of Charger
The next thing to consider for an electric vehicle charger is its location. Electric vehicle chargers can be installed indoors or outdoors. A popular location for a charger is inside of the home in the garage. Some new homes feature a special panel to install a charger for an electric vehicle. This helps keep the charging components out of the rain or other weather extremes. Some drivers don’t have a spot inside of their home to charge so they opt for an outdoor charging station.
Level One Chargers
The lowest-priced chargers on the market are classified as level one chargers. Level one chargers use household outlets to charge an electric vehicle. Some vehicle manufacturers supply the level one charging cable to customers when they purchase their cars. The big drawback to a level one charger is its slow charging speed. A full charge may take more than 20 hours. For someone who doesn’t do a lot of charging, this may be an economical solution.
Level Two Chargers
The next step up is to invest in a level two charger. You’ll need a designated station for charging, a Lectron battery charging cable and a 240-volt plug. Level two chargers are much faster and more effective, with a full charge taking between three and eight hours. They are also more expensive than the level one charger. You’ll need to hire an electrician to help with the installation process.
Smart Chargers
Level three chargers aren’t available to residential customers yet. These are the charging stations that are operated by businesses and are the fastest. Residential customers can opt to upgrade their charger and Lectron battery charging cable by adding smart features. A smart charger can be operated from your phone and connected to your utility provider to help you save money on operating it.
Investing in a charger for your electric vehicle is a big decision that needs plenty of consideration. Talk to your dealer to get some ideas about what charging solution would work best and use these tips to choose the ultimate charging station that’s right for you.
