Residential Electric Vehicle Charging Station Installation

With the introduction of electric vehicles (EV), the auto industry is making strides toward environmental-friendly cars. The pros and cons can be debated, but electric vehicles (EVs) are here and expected to get better with improving technology.

While electric vehicle owners smile as they pass gas stations, finding charging stations becomes a priority.

EV owners have three levels of charging options:

• Level 1 chargers are simple and inexpensive, but the downside is they are slow—agonizingly slow. Expect a Level 1 charger to recharge an EV only four miles of battery range per hour. If your EV has 200 miles of range on a full battery, it will take up to 50 hours to fully charge.That is not a practical solution for most people. A Level 1 charger will, however, fully charge a hybrid vehicle battery overnight.
• A Level 2 charger is a much better choice for EV owners, charging a 200-mile battery in about 12 hours, a hybrid vehicle in a couple of hours.
• A Level 3 charger can complete a 200-mile battery to full charge in a few hours. However, it will set you back approximately $50K.

To meet the demand, public charging stations are on the increase and growing exponentially. According to the Department of Energy, there are at least 22,000 charging stations across the U.S., with more than 68,800 connectors between them.

About 1/3 are in CA; FL, TX, and NY are states with the next highest number of public stations. However, only 16% of public stations are Level 3 charging stations.

In response to requests to install wall connectors for EV charging stations, Air Pro Houston Electric is providing this information to help electric vehicle owners understand the process. We will explore installation considerations for a Level 2 charger.

We are reviewing the installation of a residential electric vehicle charging station. These chargers can service most brands of EVs; some car models use a proprietary adapter provided by the manufacturer.

Purchasing and normal installation of a residential electric vehicle charging station is very affordable, especially considering the savings of not buying gas or diesel. However, there are some obstacles to consider that affect installation cost.

• If your home is 50 years old or greater, your electric service supplied to your home ranges from 60 Amps to 150 Amps, while newer homes have a minimum of 200 Amps. Over time, we rely on electricity in greater quantities, with gadgets that not only illuminate, refrigerate, cook and clean, but also provide communication, education, and entertainment.Since the ’70s, more homes have become all-electric, relying less on natural gas and fuel oil, and 30 to 40% of residential electricity usage is consumed by the HVAC system. With upgrades and accessories, household demand for power might be pushing your electric service to its max, leaving little room for a charging station.
• An electrician will need to calculate the existing load and the additional load of the charger to determine how much room is available on your electric service for a residential electric vehicle charging station.
  • If your home has a 200 Amp service, most likely you are in the clear. But if you have a 50 Amp service, your current power load has probably maxed out your electric service and it may not support a load of an EV charger without a service upgrade.
  • An EV power connector set at 50 Amps and your kitchen range pull about the same electrical load. As the electrician calculates your service load, some power usages can be calculated at less than capacity.Since normal use is of your range is the cooktop or the oven for short periods of time, your 50 Amp range may be calculated at 50% load. However, the power connector for an EV must be calculated at 125% of its load to allow for the extended time of high-current draw.
  • If your older home has a maxed-out power service, upgrading your service is highly recommended for the long-term safety and value of your home. That might come as a surprise if you were expecting a relatively inexpensive installation for your charging needs. But wait! Keep reading.

You took a chance purchasing an EV, relying on a home-based charging station. Now you have learned that your residential power service cannot handle the full 50 Amp load. With a residential electric vehicle charging station, you have some options for a workable solution.

• Residential electric vehicle charging stations are designed to be versatile, letting the user select the amount of current drawn to charge the vehicle.
  • You have optional settings of 16 Amps, 24 Amps, 32 Amps, and 50 Amps. The basic requirement will be a load capacity for the lowest setting, and it gives you time to plan a future electric service upgrade if you choose. Even with a full load available, you can still choose to use the lower settings.
  • The lower settings will charge your EV but take longer to fully charge the battery, but it gives you a charging option at home.

A residential electric vehicle charging station is an excellent choice that gives the homeowner a smart option in both older homes with small load service capacity and newer homes with plenty of load.

Interested in Residential Electric Vehicle Charging Station Installation?

Our four decades of experience as a Houston Electrician and contractor AirPro Houston provides you with the skill and expertise in Residential Electric Vehicle Charging Station installation.

We have financing options available with great options with up to 72-month terms with approved credit. Call us today at  281-880-8805 and let us partner with you for all of your electrical repair and installation needs.