Installing a Level 1 electric vehicle charger

Level 1 EV chargers come with your electric vehicle and don’t require special installation – just plug your Level 1 charger into a standard 120-volt wall outlet and you’re good to go. This is the biggest draw of a Level 1 charging system: you don’t have to deal with extra costs associated with installation, and you can set up the entire charging system without a professional.

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Installing a Level 2 electric vehicle charger

A level 2 EV charger uses 240 volts of electricity. This offers faster charging time, but it requires a special installation as a standard wall outlet only provides 120 volts. Appliances like electric dryers or ovens use 240 volts as well, and the installation process is very similar. Level 2 installation requires running 240 volts from your breaker panel to your charging location. A “double-pole” circuit breaker needs to be attached to two 120 volt buses at once to double the circuit voltage to 240 volts, using a 4-strand cable. From a wiring perspective, this involves attaching a ground wire to the ground bus bar, a common wire to the wire bus bar, and two hot wires to the double-pole breaker. You may have to replace your breaker box entirely to have a compatible interface, or you may be able to simply install a double-pole breaker in your existing panel. It is essential to shut off all power going into your breaker box by shutting off all breakers, followed by shutting off your main breaker.

Once you have the correct circuit breaker attached to your home wiring, you can run your newly installed 4-strand cable to your charging location. This 4-strand cable needs to be properly insulated and secured to prevent damage to your electrical systems, especially if it is being installed outdoors at any point. The last step is to mount your charging unit where you will be charging your vehicle, and attach it to the 240-volt cable. The charging unit acts as a safe holding location for the charge current and doesn’t let electricity flow through until it senses that your charger is connected to your car’s charging port. Considering the technical nature and risk of a Level 2 EV charger DIY installation, it is always crucial to hire a professional electrician to install your charging station. Local building codes often require permits and inspections by a professional anyways, and making an error with an electrical installation can cause material damage to your home and electrical systems. Electric work is also a health hazard, and it is always safer to let an experienced professional handle electric work.

Professional installation can cost anywhere between $200 and $1,200 depending on the company or electrician you work with, and this cost can rise higher for more complicated installs.

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Installing a Level 3 electric vehicle charger

Level 3 charging stations, or DC Fast Chargers, are typically only used in commercial and industrial settings, as they are usually prohibitively expensive and require specialized, powerful equipment to operate. This means that DC Fast Chargers are not available for home installation.

Most Level 3 chargers will provide compatible vehicles with about 80 percent charge in 30 minutes, which makes them better suited for roadside charging stations. For Tesla Model S owners, the option of “supercharging” is available. Tesla’s Superchargers are capable of putting about 170 miles worth of range into the Model S in 30 minutes. An important note about level 3 chargers is that not all chargers are compatible with all vehicles. Make sure you understand which public charging stations can be used with your electric vehicle before relying on level 3 chargers for recharging on the road.

The cost of charging at a public EV charging station also varies depending on your provider. EV charging station fees can be structured as flat monthly fees, per-minute fees, or a combination of both. Research your local public charging plans to find one that fits your car and needs best.