The number of EVs on the road is growing, and charging infrastructure to support them is growing with it. Today there are more than 6,000 public charging stations in the United Kingdom, and hundreds of thousands more are expected to be installed in coming years.
With more electric vehicles on the road, a growing number of drivers will want to know what it takes to install home charging stations. Here’s what you need to know about electric vehicle charging and how it works:
What is an electric car?
An electric car is a vehicle that runs on electricity from batteries instead of gasoline or diesel fuel. The main advantage of an electric vehicle over a conventional car is that it does not produce any carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gas emissions during operation.
How does an electric car work?
Electric cars have an onboard battery pack that provides power for all its functions like heating, cooling and driving. The motor converts electrical energy into mechanical energy which moves the wheels to drive the car forward or backward depending on which direction you apply pressure on your foot pedal. When you press down on your foot pedal, it sends a signal to the computer system which tells it when to turn on the motor which then turns into mechanical energy that moves the wheels forward or backward depending on how hard you press down on your foot pedal.
The cost of charging at home
The cost of installing an EV charging station varies depending on several factors, including your location and the type of vehicle you own. In general, however, you can expect to spend between $1,000 and $3,500 for a typical residential charger. The average cost for commercial installations is higher — between $2,500 and $5,000. This includes installation labor costs as well as any electrical upgrades necessary for installation.
There are three types of EV chargers:
Level 1 charger – Level 1 charger: This is a standard 120V plug (like those used for hair dryers). It charges at 2-4 miles per hour of charge time. Level 1 chargers are ideal for overnight charging when you have access to a dedicated outlet or when you park at home overnight. They can also be used in an emergency if you run out of gas and need to get back on the road quickly.
Level 2 charger – This is a 240V plug (the same as most clothes dryers), so it can take longer than a Level 1 charger to charge your car, but it will charge faster (8-12 miles per hour). A Level 2 charger should be placed outside your house or garage near an electrical outlet so that all family members can use it while they drive around town with their EVs.
DC Fast Charger – These are the fast chargers that will get most EVs from empty to 80% full in 20-30 minutes or less! They typically come as part of a package when buying an EV from a dealer It is also called DC rapid charging stations, these chargers require 480 volts and can charge an EV at least 25 miles in 20 minutes or less. You can contact EV Charging Group for more information.
