Owner Quotes on How much does it cost to charge an EV

Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming increasingly popular, but one of the biggest concerns of potential EV owners is how and where to charge their vehicles. Most EV owners charge their vehicles at home with a Level One charger that is provided upon purchasing the EV. However, there are different types of charging stations to choose from, based on your needs. In this article, we’ll explain the difference between Level One and Level Two charging stations, how to get a Level Two charging station installed, how the charging station receives power, and how much power is needed to fully charge an EV.

Table of Contents

Difference between Level One and Level Two charging stations

A Level One charger plugs into a standard household 110-volt grounded wall outlet and provides about five miles per hour of charge. It’s a good option if you have a short commute, a plug-in hybrid, access to workplace charging, or the ability to charge for eight hours or more.

If these criteria don’t apply to you, a Level Two charging station might be the better option. It’s up to four times faster than a Level One charger and can provide about 25 miles per hour of charge. This option is ideal for cars with larger batteries that require longer charging times and for those who want to fully charge their EV in a shorter amount of time.

how to get a Level Two charging station installed

Installing a Level One charging station is easy. You can simply plug the charger into a wall outlet. On the other hand, a Level Two charging station requires installation by an electrician.

To get started, talk to a qualified electrician to get an electrical assessment of your home and determine whether your electrical panel has the capacity for a Level Two charging station, which requires a dedicated 240-volt outlet, similar to an electric dryer. It’s important to prioritize safety, which is why having an electrician perform an electrical assessment prior to installing a charging station is highly recommended.

If your panel doesn’t have the capacity for a Level Two charging station and you’re unable to upgrade your panel at the time, you can request to install a 110-volt grounded outlet at an accessible location for Level One charging.

After determining which charging station is right for your home, you’ll need to connect with EV charging station installers in your area. You can visit your utility provider’s EV charging page to find a home services vendor who can connect you with qualified electricians. On average, installation costs range from $400 to $1,200, not including the cost of the charging station. This is also a good time to consider which electric rate plan best fits your charging needs.

how the charging station receives power

Charging stations are rated by kilowatts, volts, and amps. The voltage, measured in volts, is like water pressure and pushes an electrical current to the charging station. The electrical current flow, measured in amps, is similar to the water’s volume. The maximum amount of electrical current that can be delivered to your vehicle’s battery is the amp rating. Volts and amps deliver kilowatts, KW, of power to your EV’s battery, which means the kilowatt value listed in the charging station specifications is the rate at which your vehicle will charge.

To determine how much power will flow to your car’s battery, multiply the volts by the amps and divide by 1000. For example, a 240-volt Level Two charging station with a 30-amp rating will supply 7.2 kilowatts per hour. After one hour of charging, your EV will have added 7.2-kilowatt hours of energy to your vehicle.

how much power is needed to fully charge an EV

To calculate how long it will take to charge your entire battery based on your EV charging station, take the vehicle’s battery capacity, found in the owner’s manual, which is in kilowatt-hours, and divide that by the charging station’s kilowatt output. For instance, if you using a 16 amp charging station for eight hours would provide about 100 miles of range for an EV with a charging rate of 7.7 kilowatts per hour.

However, if you have a larger battery, you may want to consider a higher amp charging station to reduce the charging time. It’s important to note that faster charging rates can increase the temperature of the battery, which may negatively affect the battery life in the long run. Therefore, it’s recommended to use the charging rate that’s recommended by the manufacturer of your EV.

When it comes to charging in public, there are several types of charging stations available, including Level Two charging stations and DC fast charging stations. DC fast charging stations are the fastest way to charge an EV, providing up to 100 miles of range in just 20 to 30 minutes. However, these stations are typically more expensive and are not as widely available as Level Two charging stations. Level Two charging stations are typically found at public locations such as parking garages, shopping centers, and hotels, and are capable of charging an EV in a few hours.

Locate public charging stations, there are several mobile apps and websites that can help, such as PlugShare, ChargePoint, and EVgo. These apps provide information on the location, availability, and pricing of charging stations. Some charging stations require payment, which can be done through the app or with a credit card.

In conclusion, Owning an electric vehicle necessitates preparation and thought for charging requirements, but with the correct tools and resources, it may be a practical and economical mode of transportation. You can benefit from having an electric car by comprehending the distinctions between Level One and Level Two charging stations, figuring out how much electricity is required to fully charge your EV, and being aware of where to find public charging stations.