The electric car revolution is in full swing, and drivers across the globe are joining the energy-conscious movement and purchasing one of the many impressive electric vehicles on the market today. With Tesla leading the charge with the Model S, Model 3, and Model X, and top manufacturers like Audi, BMW, Honda, Nissan, Chevrolet, Ford, and Kia producing their own remarkable electric models, the electric vehicle industry is expecting an explosion in popularity in the decades ahead.
As a new electric vehicle owner, or as a person who is still deciding whether or not to make the switch over to electric, you probably have questions about how and where you can charge your vehicle. While thousands of stores, parking garages, and other commercial and public locations are installing EV charging stations in their parking lots, relying on public chargers all the time is not convenient and can leave you in a bind when you need a charge.
As trusted installers of home electric car chargers in Bucks County, PA, and the surrounding areas, we at Wes Carver Electric have heard a number of questions and concerns that homeowners have about installing EV charging stations.
In this blog, we’ll try to answer any questions you may have about home EV charging stations, so you can feel confident investing in one for your home.
Things to Consider Before Calling an EV Charging Station Installer
Before you install an electric charging station at your home, there are a few things you’ll want to consider first. Check out the video below to learn about some of the things that will factor into the type of electric car charger you should purchase.
As Montgomery County’s go-to EV home charger installers, the friendly neighborhood electricians at Wes Carver Electric can help you determine the right EV car charger for your home. From evaluating your charging needs to weighing installation options and offering our expert recommendations, our team can help you make the smartest decision when it comes to selecting your new home EV charger.
Home EV Charging Stations – Frequently Asked Questions
If you’re still deciding whether a charger is right for your home, or if you want some more information to help you decide which is the right EV charger for you and your family’s needs, we’ve compiled this list of FAQs to help clear things up.
Are EV Chargers Safe?
You can feel confident with your EV home charger purchased directly from the automotive dealer or manufacturer that provided your electric vehicle. If you choose to purchase an EV home charger or outlet from an online dealer (ie. Amazon or eBay) always check that it has third-party certification, such as UL-certified.
Wes Carver Electric provides all necessary UL-certified electrical components to install your EV chargers. How do they work? EV charging stations provide pass-through AC power and utilize a safety earth ground to the car for charging. The vehicle then converts the AC power into DC power, using that to recharge its batteries. The actual “battery charger” on the vehicle uses several layers of safety features to protect users from electrical and fire hazards while charging the vehicle, including an automatic power-stop in the event of an electrical fault.
As an added benefit, Wes Carver Electric can also install whole house surge protection to safeguard your electric car and electric home charger against any high voltage event in your home or garage.
Do I Need an EV Charger at My House?
A home EV charger provides convenience and peace of mind because you’ll always have a charger when you need it. While public and commercial charging stations are making it easier than ever to stay charged on-the-go, relying on them can be risky. Even if there is a convenient DC Fast Charger nearby, you still run the risk of the station being in-use and being last in line in a long line of cars.
Can I Plug My Electric Car Into a Regular Outlet?
All mass-produced electric vehicles come equipped with a standard 120-volt charging outlet, making it possible (but highly inefficient) to charge your electric car in a regular outlet. The time varies slightly among manufacturers, but a typical Level 2, 240-volt outlet will give a full charge in 3-10 hours and a standard 120-volt outlet will take between 17-24 hours to charge fully.
How Long Does it Take to Charge an Electric Car?
Depending on the type of charger you use, your electric vehicle charging times will vary. While your vehicle may be able to charge using a 120-volt outlet, a 240-volt outlet, or even a DC Fast Charger, the times to charge for each differ drastically. See the infographic below for a deeper dive into vehicle charging times.
How Expensive is it to Charge an Electric Car?
The cost per mile for an all-electric vehicle depends on your cost of electricity (dollars per kWh) and the vehicle’s efficiency (electricity needed to travel 100 miles). If your electricity costs $0.11 and the vehicle uses 34 kWh to go 100 miles, the cost per mile will be about $0.04. To recharge a fully-depleted 24 kWh battery with a 70-mile range, it will cost you about $2.64.
You can also use the U.S. Department of Energy’s Vehicle Cost Calculator to calculate the efficiency of your specific vehicle.
Get Your Home EV Charging Station Today!
Wes Carver Electric is the leading installer of residential EV charging stations in Bucks and Montgomery Counties. With a team of expert electricians who are always friendly, courteous, and dependable, you can expect nothing but the best service when you call Wes Carver Electric!
Contact us today at 267-498-9009 to learn more about scheduling an EV charging station installation for your home.