After you’ve purchased an electric car, you quickly find that it’s unrealistic to go to a public charging station every time your vehicle needs it. So, when you are ready to upgrade your garage, here are the top four things to consider when choosing an EV charging station.
Charging Capacity
There are three different levels of EV charging speed. Level 1 is a standard 110V AC wall plug. Electric cars will often come with a Level 1 charger, but they typically only charge around four or five miles per hour. That means you could be waiting days for a full charge, which is why most car owners will opt to install a Level 2 charging station in their garage. Level 2 chargers have twice the power of Level 1, and they can usually fully charge a car overnight. Then, there are Level 3 chargers, which can charge a vehicle in as little as an hour. However, they typically aren’t installed in homes because of their high energy costs.
Type of Plug
Technically, every North American vehicle is compatible with the SAE J1772 connector. The only North American vehicles that don’t have an SAE J1772 are Tesla, which uses a proprietary connector. But even they include an adaptor with all cars. Most non-North American brands also use this connector stateside, except Nissan and Mitsubishi, which use CHAdeMO connectors. Also, if you are importing your EV from Europe, be aware that their standard is the IEC 62196. So, make sure that you find a charging station compatible with your car’s plug.
Charging Station Manufacturer
When you choose the manufacturer of your charging station, look for companies that have been pre-approved by EV car brands. This way, you know that the charger will be compatible with your car. Then, check out car message boards for some tips from other owners on how the different stations perform. Lastly, make sure to choose a provider with a substantial warranty plan.
How You’re Going To Install It
Once you figure out the charging station you want, you’ll have to figure out where on your property to install it and how you’re going to do it. The wiring necessary for such a complicated electrical job isn’t easy and shouldn’t be done by an amateur. Our experienced EV charging station installation contractors will help maximize the charging capacity of your station so that you can charge your car as fast as possible. Now that you know the top four things to consider when choosing an EV charging station, contact No Short Electric when you’re ready to install the one you’ve picked out.
