You might not have thought about it before, but now you ponder–how much will it cost me to have my EV charger installed by a professional? If it’s the cost that has been holding you back from getting your own EV charging station, we have just the right thing to convince you.
You would prefer your EV charger installed by an electrician. There are so many advantages to a certified EV charger installation service that will benefit you in the long run. For a starter, a certified service will ensure accurate and efficient work. You want your charging station to run smoothly, not giving you any headaches.
If you’re worried about the cost, this is what you should bear in mind: the right service will give you your money’s best value. We’re not saying it’s out of your budget, but an expert EV charger installation will be worth the extra money you put aside. The good thing is that West Lake Village Electricians has the best offers for you.
What Is An EV Charging Station?
First and foremost, you don’t want to proceed without knowing what an EV charger is. If you own an electric car or are about to own one, you need an EV charger to power your vehicle. An EV charging station is where you charge your car with chargers that get electricity from a 240v outlet. It delivers the electricity to your vehicle, giving it power.
EV charging stations come in levels: Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3. The level 1 charging station is the most basic of the three charger types. An electrical vehicle comes with a cable with this level of charging cable. This charger uses a basic home electric current of 100-129v AC, and most of these chargers can easily connect to a grounded wall socket with a three-prong plug.
Obviously, the level 1 charging station is of the lowest cost among the three. However, this, of course, comes with its downsides. The EV charger level 1 could work immensely slowly sometimes.
Leveling up, the EV charger level 2 is next in line. These chargers use 240v circuits–the ones we use for electric dryers. They are portable and work using a special multiple-pronged plug, which can plug into an outlet used for a clothes dryer.
A level 2 charger will apparently recharge the battery faster than the level 1 charger. It has a 25% time advantage, making it a better choice for most EV owners.
Finally comes the third type of EV charger. The level 3 charging station is designed and intended for commercial use. Those who travel using electric cars usually stop by stations to start their vehicles, and this is the type of charger they get to use.
Level 3 EV chargers enable DCFC or DC fast charging. It provides faster charging times. Some of these chargers can bring a car battery up from being drained to fully powered in less than an hour. Newer models of level 3 chargers have 400-800-volt, which can replenish the battery from 10 to 80% in less than 20 minutes.
Clearly, these chargers and their levels determine their offered power and how fast they can charge up an EV battery. If you plan to own a charging station for your EV, at least you now have some knowledge of their types.
How To Install An EV Charger?
Installing an EV charger is straightforward. With the work of a professional technician, you can expect speedy and precise work. Here are the steps to guide you in installing a new EV charging station.
- Preparation: The preparation involves confirming the eligibility of your home. You’ll need to obtain an electrical permit to allow you to have your EV home charging station. It should be easy for you to get one if you have complete requirements. If you’ve confirmed your home is suitable for an EV charger installation, then you’re good to go!
You can then proceed to verify the capacity of your electrical service. Your electrician
has to verify that your electricity can accommodate your EV charger. You can then ask
them to upgrade your service panel to house another breaker for the charging station. If
you successfully do these steps, then congratulations!
- Installation: You should know that installing EV chargers should only be done by a professional. When you have contracted a trusted electrician, here are the steps they will do to install your EV charger:
Step 1: They will verify the location most suitable for the EV charging station.
Step 2: They will drill and clip the cable wire to the wall.
Step 3: They will briefly shut off the power as they install the RCBO and connect it to the
main line.
Step 4: They will test your EV charger to ensure it’s functional and safe for use.
Step 5: They will conduct a demonstration to show your how the charger works and how
you can operate it for safe and efficient use.
Hiring a licensed electrician to install your EV charger is the best choice. Just make sure you can find a reliable service provider that offers reasonably priced services. You can compare EV charger installation rates to avail of affordable services.
What You Should Know About Affordable and Easy-to-Install EV Charging Stations
An article by NY Times in 2015 talked about the shortage of EV charging stations. According to it, there were only 10% charging stations available of the then expected 400k plug-in vehicles across North America. There were “unofficial” charging stations, but they were often out of order and unattended.
Today, there has been an increase in the number of charging stations, but what can we say? There have to be more charging stations than that. More and more people are considering EVs, and the number of charging stations will just not suffice. That’s why many EV owners install their own EV chargers at home.
Aside from the fact that there aren’t enough charging stations across the country to accommodate the skyrocketing number of plug-in vehicles, home charging stations have become popular. They are affordable and amazingly easy to install.
So, how much does a home EV charger installation cost? Here’s your guide:
Installing an electric vehicle charging station costs between $502 to $1,232, with a Level 1 station costing on average $833 and a Level 2 station costing on average $1,300. For an electric car station, some homeowners may spend as little as $300 or as much as $7,200. The general cost depends on several factors, including your location and choosing the charging station.
- L1 Charging Station: Level 1 charging, or L1 stations, is the slowest but most economical option. For a Level 1 arrangement, a specialized charging station is not required. L1 chargers, which plug directly into a regular 120-volt AC outlet, really come standard with new electric cars. These cheaper plug-in chargers cost roughly $300, and installation of the station doesn’t require an expert.
But let’s say you want a separate Level 1 charging station to reduce the load on the electrical circuit in your house. In that situation, the cost to construct a Level 1 charging station is between $300 and $600 for the base station and an additional $1,000 to $1,700 for labor.
- L2 Charging Station: Level 2 charging stations are the most effective for serious domestic charging of 100% electric vehicles. L2 stations are more expensive than L1 stations but have more robust stats. Additionally, they are available as single-port or dual-port stations.
Without counting installation, an L2 charger costs between $500 and $700 for a single-port station and about $3,500 for a dual-port station.
- L2 EV Charger Single-port:
- Unit price ($500 – $700)
- Installation price: $400 – $1,700
- L2 EV Charger Dual-port:
- Unit price ($3,200 – $4,800)
- Installation price ($800 – $3,400)
- L3 Charging Station: The high costs of Level 3 charging stations, which are not yet available for residential usage, are not included in the typical expenditures for homes. Level 3 charging station prices range from an excess of $50,000 for installation to an average of $20,000 for parts only.
Additionally, L3 stations provide an enormous amount of charging power, providing three to 20 minutes of range every minute. They also require a huge DC voltage (400V to 900V), which explains why you rarely see them in residential areas.
To find a reasonable EV charger installation service, you must make a conscious effort to collect information. You want to choose among services and compare prices.
Ensure that you inquire about quotes from the service provider. However, you might want to watch out for unexpected quotations for additional services when everything doesn’t go according to your plan. Circumstances may require you to rearrange services when problems arise.
One thing’s for sure! You can always find a credible company to help install your EV charging station efficiently.
There’s no holding you back from having your own EV charging station. West Lake Village Electricians offers professional installation services that meet your budget and standards. Please feel free to call us anytime.