Electric vehicles have gone through several advancements over the last 10 years. Several hybrid models, for example, can run 700 miles on a charge. Quite a few straight EVs make 500 miles on a charge. Some of them can even be fast-charged in less than half an hour. Although EV charging stations are becoming more and more common outside the home as we move inexorably away from fossil fuels, it’s still a good idea to install an EV charging station at your house.
Kinds of EV Charging Stations
There are actually three kinds of EV charging stations, but only Level 1 and Level 2 stations are generally for home use. Level 1 stations use a standard 120-volt outlet. They’re the easier of the two to install and maintain, and they cost less than Level 2 stations. Level 2 charging stations use a 240-volt outlet and draw far more power. Their chief advantage is that they charge your EV three to seven times faster than a Level 1 station can. Level 1 charging stations take up to a full day to charge a standard EV completely. However, if you have a plug-in hybrid vehicle, a Level 1 charging station will generally suffice.
Level 3 EV chargers are the ones called “fast chargers.” They take up much more space and use much more power than their smaller counterparts. Usually, these chargers are for commercial use, including at highway rest stops. Most EV manufacturers don’t recommend fast charging for everyday drives. Regular fast charging adversely affects battery life.
When we have our first appointment together, we’ll talk with you about each of the three kinds of chargers. Relying on our expertise and knowledge, you can be sure that you made the right decision based on your needs.
Do You Need to Change Your Home’s Electrical System?
EV chargers use a lot of power compared to other home systems. With a Level-2 charger, especially, you might need to upgrade your junction box. If you have only a 100-amp box, then you’ll definitely need an upgrade if you select a Level-2 or Level-3 charger. Some Level-2 chargers draw as much as 80 amps of power by themselves.
No matter which kind of charger you pick, it’ll need its own breaker in the junction box. So, if your junction box has no more room for additional breakers, you’ll need to replace it. When replacing it, it’s a good idea to upgrade it at the same time. In much the same way as we’ll discuss the different kinds of EV chargers with you during our appointment, we’ll talk about the different options for upgrading your junction box and/or home wiring.
Conclusion
Choosing an EV is a smart decision not only for the environment but also for your budget. Assuming you drive 10,000 miles a year and get 25 mpg on your vehicle, you would spend between $1,800 and $2,200 annually on gas. But you’d only spend about $300 recharging your EV.
To find out everything we can do for you regarding the installation, maintenance, and repair of an EV charging station at your home in Tucson, AZ, get in touch with us at United Electric Co. today.
