There is no denying that electric vehicles have come a long way since they first arrived in the automotive industry. Today, most of the automakers in the industry today have either released an electric vehicle or have already announced plans to do so. The majority of the big names in the automotive industry today have already announced that most of the cars, SUVs, and trucks they’ll be selling by 2030 will be fully electric.
It is currently estimated that there are almost six million electric vehicles around the globe, and this number will keep growing. If you’ve purchased an electric vehicle yourself or if you know someone who has, then you can attest to the fact that these vehicles are quiet, smooth, reliable and that, most importantly, they do not require you to stop at any gas station to fill up. While all these attributes are music to any driver’s ears, the last one has implications of its own.
Since you’re not going to stop at a gas station to charge your vehicle, it means that you have to charge it somewhere. And if, like most people, you don’t want to spend your precious time at the public charging station, you want to install your own charging station at home. For most people, installing an electric car charging station at home is more like a necessity, which ensures that their vehicles have adequate charge while stored overnight and especially before long rides.
However, before installing an electric car charging station, there are some tips you ought to consider.
Professional Installation Only
Unless you’re an experienced and qualified electrician yourself, you should never attempt installing an electric car charging station by yourself. In fact, for correct and safe installation purposes, it is strongly recommended that you have your electric car charging station professionally installed.
Remember, electric cars charge at a very high voltage, and you’ll be connecting the charging station to the main supply. This can be quite a dangerous task to undertake yourself, which is why it is advisable that you hire a professional EV charging station installer to do it for you. This professional should be someone who assumes full responsibility for the entire installation process. Also, when it comes to the maintenance of the charging station, you should leave the work to a professional who is acquainted with the guidelines of safe maintenance.
It is very important to note that some grants have been made available to help with the installation cost of an electric car charging station at home. Such a grant can help lower the installation costs by hundreds of dollars. However, you can only benefit from these grants if you’ve hired a professional EV charging company like Arc Angel Electric, which serves Cumming, GA, and the surrounding areas.
Location
One of the most important factors you ought to consider before installing an electric vehicle charging station is where you’re going to put it. For instance, it might be a great idea to install your charging station closer to your house, where you can have it wired quite easily.
On the other hand, it might be best to spend a little more and to have your charging station installed at a practical position for your electric vehicle or vehicles. Generally, you need to consider where you park before deciding on the ideal spot to install the station.
Charging Speed
Before driving their vehicles out of the garage, most people want to ensure that the cars are fully charged. However, how long it will take for your car to achieve this state will mainly depend on the type of charger you opt for. Simply plugging your vehicle into a standard outlet will charge your vehicle, but it will be at a slower rate, which is not ideal for long trips. This charging method is commonly referred to as Level 1 and uses about 120V, and it takes longer than your specifically designed electric vehicle charging stations.
Remember, the recharge time for your electric vehicle will also depend on your battery capacity and how much driving you had initially done since the last time you charged. Installing a Level 2 electric vehicle charging station will charge your vehicle faster as it will be using 240V worth of power.
However, installing a Level 2 charger at your home means that you’ll also need a 240V power supply in place and probably a wiring upgrade. It’s important to note that Level 2 chargers are the most popular in the market today. There are also Level 3 charging stations available that use 400V, but their use is limited, and they’re more expensive to acquire.
These charging stations are ideal if you want to spend as little time on charging as possible on charging your vehicle. With this kind of charging station, your electric vehicle will be fully charged in less than an hour. Such electric vehicle charging stations are very common service stations along highways.
Basically, the charging station you opt to install will depend on your budget and how much time you want to spend charging your vehicle. For this reason, it’s best to talk to a professional EV charging installer about your options so that they can advise accordingly.
Permits and Incentives
In most places, installing an electric vehicle charging station in your home requires a permit. These permits usually cost about $200. However, some cities in the United States have expedited permitting the installation of electric vehicle charging stations, which has made things easier for most people. When you choose to work with a professional EV charging station installer, then you’re certain about compliance with national regulations, especially wiring regulations.
After a professional EV charging station installer has completed the work, they normally go ahead and certify the installation with a government department. This serves as a validation that the charging station has been installed safely and in compliance with the stipulated national regulations. In fact, a reputable installation company will also provide you with a copy of the charging station’s compliance certificate.
In some places, having this compliance certificate is compulsory, and if you don’t, you could face a fine. For this reason, ensure that you double-check all the requirements in your area before moving forward with the installation process. Remember, the compliance certificate isn’t just proof of your charging station’s reliability and safety. This certificate also comes in handy when applying for insurance payouts in case something goes wrong in the future.
For example, if your charging station is damaged by overcurrent or by a natural disaster such as lightning, you might want to get compensation from your insurance provider. However, without the compliance certificate, the insurance provider might refuse to compensate you since there is no tangible proof that your charging station was properly installed and protected.
Current Electrical Infrastructure
Before installing your EV charging station, it is very important that you get a qualified electrician to review your electrical infrastructure. You need to ensure that the location you’ll be installing the charging station has appropriate and safe electrical infrastructure. Only a qualified electrician can tell you this.
Also, it’s important to note that reviewing your electrical infrastructure will also help you prepare adequately before adding such a big electrical appliance to your home’s electrical network.
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