Installing Your Home Electric Vehicle Charging Station – Part 1
The majority of plug-in vehicles are shipped with a Level 1 charging station, letting the owner charge the battery from a standard household outlet. Those who own a plug-in hybrid vehicle which can recover their electrical range quickly or who do not drive often will find this adequate. In other cases, a Level 2 charging station will be necessary.
Home Charging Station Functions
A home charging station is EVSE (electric vehicle supply equipment), and it actually does not do the charging. An electric car carries an on-board charger, which performs the conversion of household alternating current (AC) to the direct current (DC) that will be stored in its batteries.
First Considerations
- What is the make and model of your plug-in car?
- Where is the location of the nearest electric panel to your parking space?
- What is your vehicle’s electric range?
- If you own a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), what is your electric range?
- If you own a battery electric vehicle (BEV), what is the farthest distance you anticipate driving between charges on a regular basis?
PHEV vs. BEV Charging
The majority of plug-in hybrid vehicles like the Chevy Volt and Kia Optima have limited electric ranges. They can be typically fully charged within 5 hours using their Level 1 (120 V) chargers that only require a standard household outlet. In contrast, pure battery electric vehicles (BEV) like the Tesla Model 3 and the Nissan Leaf can require a lot of time to completely charge if their batteries are empty.
Part 2 will discuss the three types of charging stations: Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3.
Electrical Services You Can Trust
Founded in 1991 and serving Maryland, Virginia, and D.C., where we are licensed and insured, Meyer Electrical Services provides home and commercial electrical services you can trust, including:
• Electrical Vehicle Charging Stations
• Standby Generator Installation
• Panel Upgrades (Heavy-Ups)
• Structured Cabling
• Circuit Breaker Replacement
Based in Bethesda, our team proudly serves all of Montgomery County. Receive a free consultation for custom electrical work today by calling (301) 941-1400.