Home EV Chargers: Four Questions and Answers

The biggest advantage of buying an electric vehicle is never having to roll into the gas station again, as well as doing your part to help the environment. Although you’ll be saving a fortune in fuel, you will need to buy a charger and pay for the installation. You may wonder if it’s worth the hassle. Here are the answers to the most common questions asked by drivers thinking about buying an electric vehicle.

What Type of Charger Do I Need?

Charging your car requires Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE). That’s the technically correct term for the charger. There are Level 1 and Level 2 chargers.

Level 1 charging simply means plugging your vehicle into your home’s standard electric outlet. However, your home only provides a 120-volt outlet, which means it takes a lot longer to charge the car. Depending on the type of car, it can take up to 20 hours. Another potential problem is the amount of power it draws could overload your home’s electric circuit, causing breakers to trip.

Professionals agree it’s best to buy a Level 2 EVSE. These are 240-volt charging stations that require a dedicated electrical circuit, and you will need to get a professional electrician to install it. It’s worth it because the charge time is significantly less.

What Are the Costs?

An EVSE costs between $500 and $700, depending on which brand you buy. This excludes the cost of installation. Most people have their chargers wall-mounted, but you can also consider a portable charging station, which costs roughly the same. If you move, it will save you the trouble of removing the wall-mounted one and reinstalling in your new home.

Getting a professional electrician to install the charger will also cost you, but those costs can vary wildly. A straightforward job can cost only $200, but prices will soar if you need to upgrade your home’s electrical circuits and wiring.

How Will This Impact My Electricity Bill?

According to Plug-In America, the average cost of electricity in the U.S. is 12 cents per kWh, and the average person driving the average EV 15,000 miles per year pays about $540 anually to charge it. This is, of course, also depends on your utility company.

One thing to bear in mind is that some electric companies offer special time of use rates to EV drivers, which can sometimes drive down your overall electric bill.

Will My Home Need to Be Rewired?

Aside from installing the dedicated electrical circuit for a Level 2 charger, there should be no further work needed. You will not need to rewire your home.

However, if your home has electrical issues, you’re going to have headaches. If you electrical circuit can’t cope with the demands of an EV charger, or you have faulty or old wiring, then you’re looking at a much bigger job.

Weighing the pros and cons of buying an electric vehicle is important in making your decision. In the long run, the money you’ll save per year on fuel will be worth it.

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay 

Posted in Car Tips | No Comments »