Electric Vehicle Charger

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Ask the Electrician: Level 2 EV Chargers

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Q: Should I install a Level 2 charger for my electric vehicle?

Picking the correct charging level is mostly a matter of convenience and how you are using the vehicle. If you only put a few miles on the car each week, a Level 1 charger may be just fine for your needs. However, if you are using your EV for daily driving and commuting, most people opt to have a Level 2 charger installed at their home. The quicker charging time gives better flexibility.

All electric vehicles come with a Level 1 or “trickle” charger that plugs into a standard three pronged 120V wall outlet. Typically depending on specific model and battery technology charging takes 10-20 hours and is done “overnight” while at home.

Level 2 chargers are a common upgrade for most EV owners. They allow for a much quicker charge in a shorter amount of time.  Level 2 chargers can provide a full charge in 4-6 hours by providing 240V power to the vehicle. They require a larger dedicated circuit, specialty wall plug or hardwire and professional installation by an electrician.

Charging times vary depending on your specific battery size, acceptance rate and charger output but Level 2 chargers are as much as 8x faster than Level 1. EvoCharge’s website has a comparison tool that will detail the different charging times between Level 1 and Level 2 both by time and by miles of charge per hour for specific vehicles.

As electricians we are doing more and more installations of EV Charging systems both for individual homeowners as well as seeing community based installations like adding Level 2 pedestals in apartment complexes and at shopping centers for public use.

Which brand or model of charger should I get?

We are happy to install almost any brand of charger. Some vehicles, notably Tesla, have their own specific chargers while other models can use any “standard” charger equipped with a “J plug” (SAE J1772).  Most car manufacturers will sell a charger specifically branded to your vehicle but there are plenty of aftermarket options as well. Clipper Creek/Enphase is one of the leading names in EV charging equipment and has a wide range of chargers compatible with different models. They have a great tool on their website, simply enter the vehicle make and model and the site will display all the compatible equipment available.

What does it cost?

Basic wall mount installation generally runs from $600-$1,000 for most simple installs plus the charger cost itself. This depends on the availability of existing power to your garage or charging area and the required amperage needed for the charger.  A permit is required. Longer distances, pedestal mounts, digging or trenching and panel upgrades will increase this cost so the best solution is to request a free estimate of your specific needs prior to installation.

EV charger costs can be offset with a federal tax credit of up to 30% by filing Form 8911 with your taxes. Additionally car manufacturers and local utility companies may have programs available to reduce costs even more. Both Duke Energy and Piedmont Electric Co-op offer customers a rebate.

National Drive Electric Week is being held September 22-October 1, 2023. The event is a nationwide effort to celebrate and raise awareness about electric vehicles. Locally, Piedmont Electric Co-op is hosting an event at Carrboro Plaza on the 29th if you want to do some test drives and learn more about EV technology.

Return to EV Chargers

Ask the Electrician is a column we publish with our advertising partner WCHL/Chapelboro. In “Ask The Electrician,” Scott answers common questions about electrical work, from switches and outlets to safety issues and preventative maintenance. If you have a suggested question for us to answer – or need an electrician – please reach out to our office.

See the article on Chapelboro.com: EV Charging at Home

How much does installation of a Level 2 EV charger cost?

Wall mount installation generally runs from $600-$750 for most simple installs plus the charger cost itself. This depends on the availability of existing power to your garage or charging area and the required amperage needed for the charger. Longer distances, pedestal mounts, digging or trenching and panel upgrades may impact this cost so the best solution is to request a free estimate of your specific needs prior to installation.

Back to EV Charger Page

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Ask the Electrician: EV Chargers at Home

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Q: National Drive Electric Week is being held at the end of this month and electric vehicles are in the news more often. Are they really that popular and how realistic is it to own one?

Currently less than 2% of cars in the US are electric but that is set to change dramatically in the coming years. President Biden just set a goal that 50% of new cars sold in the US will be electric by 2030.  This would mean about 18.7 million Electric Vehicles on the road in 2030 vs a total of about 1.3 million currently.

Electric Vehicles are becoming more and more common with a whole range of models from manufacturers like Kia and Chevrolet to luxury brands like Tesla, BMW and Porsche getting in on the action. According to Car & Driver Magazine there are almost 20 different electric vehicle models available in the US for 2021.

Unlike earlier hybrid models, full electric vehicles rely on increased battery range and the wider availability of EV charging stations if they are going to become more widely accepted. Charging networks are popping up across the country and there are a whole host of phone apps to find them.  Some are a paid service and others are free of charge within communities as a public service.

As electricians we are doing more and more installations of EV Charging systems both for individual homeowners as well as more community based installations like adding Level 2 pedestals in apartment complexes and at shopping centers for public use.

What is the difference in the three charging levels?

For most EV’s there are three different charging speeds available. (Tesla is the exception here with a proprietary SuperCharge not available for other vehicles.)

All electric vehicles come with a Level 1 or “trickle” charger that plugs into a standard three pronged 120V wall outlet. Typically depending on specific model and battery technology charging takes 8-12 hours and is done “overnight” while at home.  These chargers may still require a dedicated 20amp circuit to avoid tripping the breaker if other appliances are plugged into the same circuit and drawing power at the same time.

Level 2 chargers are a common upgrade for most EV owners. They allow for a much quicker charge in a shorter amount of time.  Level 2 chargers can provide a full charge in 6-8 hours by providing 240V power to the vehicle. They will require a larger dedicated circuit, specialty wall plug or hardwire and professional installation by an electrician.

Level 3 chargers are most often found in service centers or gas stations. They require specialty equipment and run on much higher levels of DC power but can provide a charge in as little as an hour. This makes them great for longer road trips and interstate travel.

Which brand or model of charger should I get?

We are happy to install almost any brand of charger. Some vehicles, notably Tesla, have their own specific chargers while other models can use any “standard” charger equipped with a “J plug” (SAE J1772). Clipper Creek is one of the leading names in EV charging equipment and has a wide range of chargers that are highly compatible with different models. They have a great tool on their website, simply enter the vehicle make and model and the site will display all the compatible equipment available.

What does it cost?

Most EV owners upgrade to a Level 2 charger to improve at home charging speeds.  Wall mount installation generally runs from $475-$700 for most simple installs plus the charger cost itself. This depends on the availability of existing power to your garage or charging area and the required amperage needed for the charger. Longer distances, pedestal mounts, digging or trenching and panel upgrades may impact this cost so the best solution is to request a free estimate of your specific needs prior to installation.

National Drive Electric Week is being held September 25-October 3, 2021. The event is a nationwide effort to celebrate and raise awareness about electric vehicles, check out their website for local events and more information.

Return to EV Chargers

Ask the Electrician is a column we publish with our advertising partner WCHL/Chapelboro. In “Ask The Electrician,” Scott answers common questions about electrical work, from switches and outlets to safety issues and preventative maintenance. If you have a suggested question for us to answer – or need an electrician – please reach out to our office.

See the article on Chapelboro.com: EV Chargers at Home

How do I select the correct charger for my vehicle?

Check with you vehicle manufacturer first, they can be a great resource for available chargers that are specifically compatible with your car.

Do your research on the internet and double check for compatibility and brand reputation.

Clipper Creek has a great on their website, simply enter the vehicle make and model and the site will display all the compatible equipment available.

Are level 2 EV chargers safe?

Safety is an important issue with EV chargers like any other major appliance. Look for UL and ETL marks on any equipment you buy showing they have been independently safety tested by nationally recognized laboratories. All Clipper Creek Level 2 chargers have met these testing certifications. Additionally your Level 1 charger should be on a dedicated GFCI protected circuit.

What are the electrical requirements for EV chargers?

The electrical requirements of a charger depend on how much power it’s meant to deliver. Almost all Level 2 chargers require a 240 volt outlet similar to a major appliance like your dryer or oven. The second thing to consider is the amperage required for the circuit. Some Level 2 chargers require as little as 20 amps while others like Tesla chargers can require up to 100 amps. We often recommend installing the charger on a 50 amp circuit and wiring to allow for additional power needs in the future, even if it only calls for 20-40 amps.

Where can the EV charger be installed?

This will depend on your garage or parking area but most standard power cords are about six feet long so the charger should be easily accessible to where the vehicle is most often parked. Longer power cords of up to 25 feet are available but generally closer is better. If needed, you may consider a pedestal mounted charger which can be placed almost anywhere in your parking area.

What level of charger will I need for my EV?

Almost all electric vehicles come with a Level 1 or “trickle”charger that plugs into a standard wall outlet. This may be enough for your vehicles needs depending on how often you charge and how many miles you are putting on your electric vehicle. Many EV owners upgrade to a Level 2 charger which allows a much quicker recharge in a shorter amount of time. These Level 2 chargers normally require professional installation by a qualified electrician.