Electric cars are the buzz coming out of the car industry recently and with good reason! They’re economical, environmentally friendly, and fun to drive. But one of the major drawbacks of owning an electric car is that it needs to be recharged periodically. This can be a challenge if the owner doesn’t have a charging station at home.
Fortunately, this can be remedied by installing an electric car charging station. But how is it done? How does one install an EV charging station? This article will cover EV charging installation so EV owners can always recharge their vehicles conveniently and easily!
What is an Electric Vehicle Charging Station?
First, it’s helpful to define what an electric vehicle charging station is and what it’s all about. An EV charging station is an outlet where an electric car can be plugged in and recharged. Recharging an EV is similar to charging a laptop or cell phone.
There are three different types of charging stations: Level I, Level II, and Level III charging stations. The most common one is Level II, which uses 240 volts and can fully charge a vehicle in four to eight hours.
There are many benefits to having an EV charging station. For one, it’s more convenient than going to a gas station. It’s also better for the environment because electric cars produce no emissions. And lastly, it can save you money in the long run since electric cars are cheaper to operate than gas cars.
Installing an EV Charging Station
Electric vehicle charging stations range from basic and simple to more complex than you would ever imagine. The first step is determining which charging level to go for. As mentioned earlier, there are three levels of charging stations available. We’ll review each one so you can make an informed decision.
Level I Charging Station
This is the simplest and most basic type of charger. It uses a standard 120-volt outlet and can be plugged into any three-pronged household outlet. This charger is best for short-distance drivers who only need to charge their car overnight.
The simplicity and low cost of Level I chargers are appealing; however, their downside is very slow battery recharge times. Therefore, when recharging an EV with a Level I charger, always follow this concept: “four to six miles of battery range for every one hour of charging.”
So, if an EV has 200 miles of range battery, it can take 30 to five hours to recharge fully. On the other hand, a typical PHEV (Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle) can easily recharge its battery overnight because it only needs a partial recharge to top off its battery.
- To install a Level I charger, you first need to find a three-pronged household outlet. Once you’ve found an outlet, plug the charger into it, and then plug the other end of the charger into the EV. That’s it! You’re ready to recharge.
Level II Charging Station
This charger is more powerful than Level I, using 240 volts instead of 120. This means that it can charge an EV much faster – anywhere from four to eight hours. But unfortunately, the increased speed comes at a cost.
Unfortunately, Level II chargers are more expensive than Level I’s. They also require professional installation, as they must be hardwired into your home’s electrical system. However, the big advantage is faster charging rates, which offsets the increased cost.
In our example, an EV with 200 miles of range can be recharged in 10 hours with a Level II charger. PHEV owners can charge their EVs in under four hours.
- To install a Level II charger, the first step is to find an electrician certified to do the work. Once you’ve found a qualified electrician, they will need to hardwire the charger into your home’s electrical system.
- The electrician will also need to install a dedicated circuit for the charger. This is important because Level II chargers use a lot of power and can overload a regular household circuit.
- After the electrician has installed the charger, they will need to test it to ensure it is working properly. Once the electrician has given you the all-clear, you’re ready to start recharging your EV!
Level III Charging Station
The highest charger level is Level III, which uses 480 volts and can charge an EV in as little as 15 to 30 minutes. However, these chargers are very expensive – costing upwards of $50,000 – and require even more complex installation. But if you have the money and are looking for the fastest way to charge your EV, then a Level III charger is the way to go.
A Level III charging station also produces large amounts of heat, so they need to be installed in a well-ventilated area. Level III charging stations are suitable for commercial use as they can recharge an EV much faster than a Level II charger. This is important for businesses that rely on EVs, such as taxi or ride-sharing companies.
- Installing a Level III charger is a complex process that a qualified electrician should only attempt. They will need to install several dedicated circuits, as well as a ventilation system to dissipate the heat generated by the charger.
- After the installation is complete, the electrician will need to test the charger to ensure it is working properly. Once the electrician has given you the all-clear, you’re ready to start recharging your EV.
Which One Should You Choose?
Choosing which EV charging station to opt for depends on many factors. However, it essentially boils down to personal preference and budget.
- If you’re an occasional EV driver who only uses your car for short trips, then a Level I charger is probably all you need. They’re simple and affordable.
- On the other hand, if you’re a heavy EV user or live far from a charging station, a Level II charger is probably a better option. The faster charging times will save you much time in the long run. Just keep in mind that they’re more expensive to buy and install.
- Finally, if you have the money and want the fastest way to charge your EV, go for a Level III charger. Just be aware that they’re very expensive and must be installed by a professional.
Why Use DATAMYTE?
Managing an automotive manufacturing facility—or any manufacturing facility—is a complex task. There are numerous variables to consider, and it cannot be easy to keep track of everything. Add EV manufacturing to the mix, and the complexity only increases. Fortunately, DATAMYTE is here to help make your workflow easier.
DATAMYTE is a quality management platform offering software and tools to streamline your manufacturing process. Our software helps you manage every aspect of your business, from production to quality control.
The DataMyte Digital Clipboard, for instance, is a useful software that lets you create workflows and track progress in real-time. This is especially useful for EV manufacturing, as it can help you keep track of the different steps involved in the production process.
What’s more, our software is flexible and can be customized to fit your specific needs. So no matter what manufacturing facility you have, we can help you manage it effectively.
If you’re looking for a way to streamline your EV manufacturing process, then DATAMYTE is the perfect solution. Our software helps you manage every aspect of your business, from production to quality control. Book a free demo today to learn more about how we can help you.
Conclusion
Installing an electric car charging station is a complex process, especially for Level II and III charging. Therefore, we recommend that you hire the right experts for the job and follow their instructions every step of the way. We hope this article helped shed some light on EV charging stations and how to install them.
DATAMYTE can help you manage the process with our quality management platform and software. Get started today!
