One of the most exciting benefits of owning an electric car, or EV, is that it can be charged at your Stillwater or Bloomington home with almost no effort. Drivers love being able to eliminate that stop for gas. All they need to do is plugin when they arrive home, and the car is ready to handle another day of driving when they return in the morning. But it is important to note that not all EV charging stations are the same or offer the same features. The licensed pros at EarlyBird Electric are just a call away at 612-236-9052 when you are ready to make the switch to an electric car and want to prepare for safe and efficient charging at home.
The Home Charging Station Options
Currently, all electric cars on the market are sold with a Level 1 home charger when they are brand new. This unit is 110-volt compatible and can be plugged into a standard outlet. However, in order to protect the expensive batteries in your new EV, it is imperative that you only plug into a dedicated 110-volt outlet. If you do not have a dedicated outlet or are unsure about an outlet, call 612-236-9052 to schedule an appointment with the experts at EarlyBird Electric.
Your other option for home charging is to invest in a Level 2 charger that will require a 240-volt outlet. Again this outlet needs to be dedicated to avoid any power fluctuation or issues that could damage the EV batteries. In most cases, your home already has a 240-volt outlet, but it is being used by your clothes dryer. So you will need to call 612-236-9052 to request an appointment with the EarlyBird Electric team to install a new dedicated 240-volt outlet in the garage or near your EV parking space.
The Big Difference In EV Home Charging Stations
As you might have guessed from the outlet requirements for the Level 1 and 2 EV chargers, the big difference between the two is the charging time. A Level 1 charger will typically add about 3-5 miles of range to the vehicle per hour of charge time. Doing the math, you will find that it takes over 24 hours to achieve a full charge on some EV batteries.
When you step up to a Level 2 EV charger, the process is much faster. These units will increase your EV’s range by 18 to 28 miles depending on the vehicle and charger. In most cases, Level 2 will provide a full battery charge in 8 hours or less.
Determining Your Needs
If you have a long commute each day, a Level 2 charger might be necessary. However, if you are like the average person in the country with a commute of around 45 miles or less, the Level 1 charge that comes with your new EV will do the job.
To learn more about the cost of an EV charging station in your home, call 612-236-9052 for a price quote from the licensed electricians at EarlyBird Electric.
