At-Home Charger for Your Electric Car
If you’re in the market for an electric or hybrid car, you’ll need a home EV charging station. What should you look for when you buy one? Check out our five-point guide to choosing the right one, and call SESCOS for expert installation and maintenance of your charging station.
1. First Things First
The proper name for an electric car charging station is Electric Vehicle Service Equipment (EVSE).
The car’s charging plug is usually found in the gas filler door, where you would pump gas in a non-electric car. In this case, you’re pumping electricity instead of gas.
The cost of an EVSE will vary, but a good one should cost between $500 and $900, depending on the features you want. You won’t need to spend more than that to get a reliable EVSE. That doesn’t include the cost of installation, which will vary depending on where you place it and whether you need a separate circuit breaker. A SESCOS technician can install your EVSE safely and efficiently at an affordable price.
2. What Kind of EVSE Does Your Car Need?
There are different types of EVSE and the kind you need will depend on the car you buy.
Level 1: These are basic chargers that will work in most household electrical systems. They are inexpensive and easy to install. The downside is that charging will be very slow.
Level 2 with 20 amp breaker: Most electric cars will fully charge on this type of EVSE in about 5 hours. These can be used indoors or outdoors.
Level 2 with 40 amp breaker: With almost double the power, this EVSE requires its own dedicated circuit. One advantage to this EVSE is that even if the amount of power is more than your car can accept, it will only deliver what your car can handle. Indoor and outdoor models are available.
- A 120-volt amp will work but could take 10 hours or more to charge the car.
- A 240-volt outlet will reach full charging in half the time.
- The ESVE should run on 30 amps.
- Be certain you have the right circuit breaker to handle this amperage. Consult a qualified SESCOS electrician to ensure your unit is properly wired.
3. Get Connected
Plugs and connectors are another consideration when buying an EVSE.
Many of the most popular Japanese electric cars use a plug made by the CHAdeMO Association. The name CHAdeMO is not an acronym, it’s an allusion to a Japanese joke about being able to charge a car in the time it takes to make a cup of tea. CHAdeMO plugs were developed by several Japanese automakers and the Tokyo Electric Power Company.
American hybrids are generally compatible with the series of connectors developed by the Society of Automotive Engineers and known as SAE J1772, which is short for “SAE Surface Vehicle Recommended Practice J1772, SAE Electric Vehicle Conductive Charge Coupler.” The exception to this rule is the Tesla, which has its own plug and connector.
4. Proper Placement of the EVSE
Where’s the best place to put your EVSE? That will depend on the location that’s most convenient for you. Remember that you’ll need to charge your car every night.
Most EVSE cables are about 20 feet long, so keep that in mind when you’re planning the placement of the charging station. You’ll also need to consider whether you can mount it on a wall or a pole. Your SESCOS electrician can provide guidance on the best placement and installation of your unit.
The Right Call
An electric or hybrid car is the right call if you want to save money, lower your car maintenance costs and live a clean, green lifestyle. Make another good call to SESCOS. With SESCOS help, you can have the right charger for your needs installed quickly and safely, so call us and get on the road to a cleaner, brighter future.