Let’s face it, our technology is continually evolving, and with that comes the rise of electric vehicles. Before we know it, our roads will be filled up with these electric cars more than our conventional oil-powered vehicles. On top of the convenience of just plugging it up after a long tiresome day, electric vehicles can improve fuel economy, reduce pollution, and decrease fuel costs, which makes them the best eco-friendly solution for transportation.

Although there are numerous publicly accessible charging stations today, the advantages of owning an electric vehicle and electric vehicle charging station far outweigh the costs! But before jumping in and shelling out the money for an electric car charging station or if you are a potential electric car user, here are the Top 10 Things To Know before purchasing an Electric Vehicle Charging Station!     

                                                                                                             

KNOWING THE TYPES OF CHARGING

There are three types of electric car charging: Level 1 or 120-volt, Level 2 or 240-volt, and DC fast charging.

Level 1 Charging (120-Volt) - This is technically the basic of electric car charging, plugging your electric vehicle into a household electric outlet. This means you get 4.5 miles per one hour of charging, entailing 22 hours for a full charge. For the most part, this is quite sufficient as it is rare that you would need to charge from an empty to full. However, this may not cut it when you need to drive longer miles.  That’s the time you would need an alternative.  Aside from all of these, Level 1 charging is the slowest amongst the types so it may not be too reliable for long destinations.

Level 2 Charging (240-volt) - Faster than Level 1, this type of charging uses 240 volts power to enable quicker regeneration of an electric vehicle’s charging system.  Using this type of charging requires an installation of an EVSE unit and electrical components capable of handling this voltage.  Since it is a quicker charging solution, it is more expensive than the Level 1.

DC Fast Charging (also called DC Quick Charging) - This is the fastest type of charging that is currently available.  As with charge anxiety over mobile phones, destination anxiety also plague potential electric vehicle users from fully plunging into the electric vehicle arena. As it is a known factor that electric vehicles take longer to charge using the Level 1 and Level 2 charging, thus the birth of DC Fast Chargers. Adding 170 miles can easily take 30 minutes at a DC Fast Charging station – just as fast as a quick bathroom break. This is because DC Fast Charging uses direct current (DC) rather than alternating current (AC).

TYPES OF PLUGS AND CONNECTORS

There are three types of electric car charging: Level 1 or 120-volt, Level 2 or 240-volt, and DC fast charging.Level 1 Charging (120-Volt) - This is technically the basic of electric car charging, plugging your electric vehicle into a household electric outlet. This means you get 4.5 miles per one hour of charging, entailing 22 hours for a full charge. For the most part, this is quite sufficient as it is rare that you would need to charge from an empty to full. However, this may not cut it when you need to drive longer miles. That’s the time you would need an alternative. Aside from all of these, Level 1 charging is the slowest amongst the types so it may not be too reliable for long destinations.Level 2 Charging (240-volt) - Faster than Level 1, this type of charging uses 240 volts power to enable quicker regeneration of an electric vehicle’s charging system. Using this type of charging requires an installation of an EVSE unit and electrical components capable of handling this voltage. Since it is a quicker charging solution, it is more expensive than the Level 1.DC Fast Charging (also called DC Quick Charging) - This is the fastest type of charging that is currently available. As with charge anxiety over mobile phones, destination anxiety also plague potential electric vehicle users from fully plunging into the electric vehicle arena. As it is a known factor that electric vehicles take longer to charge using the Level 1 and Level 2 charging, thus the birth of DC Fast Chargers. Adding 170 miles can easily take 30 minutes at a DC Fast Charging station – just as fast as a quick bathroom break. This is because DC Fast Charging uses direct current (DC) rather than alternating current (AC).

Knowing the types of electric car models and their different plug types will ensure that the electric car charging model that you are purchasing is appropriate for your personal or market needs.

Tesla – Standard connector for Tesla vehicles.

SAE J1772 – Standard plug type for electric cars in the United States.  This plug type can be used for AC level 1 charging or AC level 2 charging.

CHAdeMO – Connectors used for fast charging stations developed by the CHAdeMO association which includes several Japanese automobile makers like Nissan, Mitsubishi, Fuji and Toyota.  The Nissan Leaf and Mitsubishi MiEV are compatible with CHAdeMO charging stations.  Adapters are available for the models that are not directly compatible.

 

ELECTRIC VEHICLE CABLE LENGTH

As with any form of charging, cable length is also a factor in determining efficiency.  The longer the cable, the more convenient it is for the users.  Currently, twenty five feet is the longest cable length provided by these electric car charging stations. There are also vendors selling these cables at varying lengths and versions. This gives the users added functional flexibility.

INDOOR OR OUTDOOR

Some charging station models are indoor only and others can be situated outdoors, mounted on a wall or pole.  You have to plan out where exactly you plan to place the electric car charging station that will best suit your needs.

EV ELECTRICITY RATES

Some electric utilities offer special electricity rates for people who own electric cars. This is called the Time of Use (TOU) rate programs. Knowing the electricity rates would therefore give you a benchmark to the costs of owning an electric car charging station.  You may even have lower electricity bills even before you owned an electric vehicle.

ETIQUETTE

Yes. Electric car charging stations do require that you follow etiquette. There are not enough charging stations in most areas to support the demand of electric car users – all the more reason to invest in an electric car charging station. Thankfully, with common principles set in place, we can avoid altercations between users in public places.

Electric cars should not be parked in a charging slot if not charging. Although this may be a common matter of courtesy, EV owners tend to feel entitled to park in a charging slot just because they own an EV – which should never be the case.  If you do not need the extra juice, leave the spot for those who might badly need to recharge.

Secondly, and understandably, is to not unplug someone else’s electric vehicle unless they are finished charging.  Again, this is just common courtesy that all must practice.  It is always a must to wait for the person in queue to finish charging their vehicle before unplugging their device.

Also, do only stay in a charging slot as long as it is necessary.  As there are limited charging stations available as of this moment, the demand for this is pretty high. If you do not need the extra juice and you see that the line is piling it up, it is best to charge up and move along as necessary.

 

LOCATION

If you are going to purchase an electric car charging station for profit, location is crucial to ensure revenue.  You may have to resort to ChargePoint to see how many charging stations are already in the area.  Deliberating on the location in this regard is a big factor for success and may entail careful and longer decision making.

 

APPS

There are numerous apps for electric car charging stations so that the location of your charging station would be viewable and visible to the general public. Aside from the fact that this will ensure visibility for your electric car charging station, doing so will also establish yourself in the industry if you are planning to own one as a revenue generating entity.

 The easiest way to find a station is with Plugshare, a map of charging stations around the US. The map shows where the stations are, what they offer, and whether or not they are in use in real time.

 

WEIGHING IN THE ADVANTAGES

What advantages can an electric car charging station bring? This may simply be having a charging solution for your electric vehicle to one-upping the competition for your businesses.

Owning an electric car charging station means that your customers can put their minds at ease in knowing that your establishment can be a pit stop for charging their electric vehicles.

Electric vehicle charging stations can also set your business apart from those without this added feature. It also reinforces an eco-friendly reputation for your property, whatever industry your business might fall under.

This may also bring in additional revenue to your business as an added paid service. On top of that, most charging stations today can have custom branding which will certainly give your establishment an edge over others.

There are numerous advantages of owning an electric car charging station, not only will you help out the insufficiency of electric car charging stations, but you can also promote an eco-friendly solution of transportation.

 

MANUFACTURER/VENDOR

Once you have fully decided on purchasing an electric car charging station, you have to ensure that it is made by a quality manufacturer which is approved and listed by leading automobile manufacturers. Compatibility to your electric car is crucial. Furthermore, the manufacturer should also guarantee that after-sales service is available. A great after-sales service signifies that your needs would be taken care of and future problems with the product will be resolved with the manufacturer’s assistance.  Buying from a reputable manufacturer or vendor will always be the best way to go.

                                                                                                                                           

A Beginner’s Guide to Electric Cars: How to choose the right home charging station?

Congratulations! You’ve made up your mind about buying an electric car. Now comes the part that’s specific to electric vehicles (EV)s: choosing a home charging station. This can seem complicated, but we’re here to help!

With electric cars, the process of charging at home looks like this: you arrive home; hit the car’s charging port release button; step out of the car; grab the cable from your (soon-to-be) new home charging station a few feet away and plug it in the car’s charging port. You can now go inside and enjoy the coziness of your home as your vehicle completes a charging session in tranquility. Tad-ah! Who ever said electric cars were complicated?

Now, if you’ve read our Beginner’s Guide to Electric Cars: How to charge at home, you're now up to speed about the benefits of equipping your home with a level 2 charging station. There are different models and features to pick from, so we’ve prepared this handy guide to help you choose the right home charging station.

Before you start, here’s a fun fact that will make it easier to find the perfect home charging station to match your new vehicle:

In North America, every electric vehicle (EV) uses the same plug for level 2 charging. The only exception is Tesla cars which come with an adapter.

Otherwise, whether you chose to drive Audi, Chevrolet, Hyundai, Jaguar, Kia, Nissan, Porsche, Toyota, Volvo, and so on, electric cars sold in North America use the same plug—the SAE J1772 plug to be exact—to charge at home with a level 2 charging station. You can learn more about this in our guide How To Charge Your Electric Car With Charging Stations.

Phew! You can now be sure that any level 2 charging station you pick will be compatible with your new electric car. Now, let’s get started with choosing the right home charging station, shall we?

Choosing where to put your home charging station

1. Where do you park?

First, think about your parking space. Do you usually park your electric car outdoors or in your garage?

The main reason why this is important is that not all home charging stations are weather-proof. Among the units that are weather-proof, their levels of resistance will also vary depending on how extreme the climate is.

So, if you live in a region that exposes your EV to icy winter conditions, heavy rain or strong heat for example, make sure to choose a home charging station that can handle these types of extreme weather conditions.

This information can be found in the specifications and details section of each home charging station displayed in our store.

On the topic of extreme weather, choosing a home charging station with a flexible cable is the best option to manipulate it in colder climates.

2. Where will you install your home charging station?

Speaking of cables, when choosing a home charging station; pay attention to the length of the cable that comes with it. Each level 2 charging station has a cable that varies in length from one unit to another. With your parking space in mind, zoom in to the exact location where you plan on installing the level 2 charging station to make sure that the cable will be long enough to reach your electric car’s port!

For example, the home charging stations available in our online store have cables that range from 12 ft to 25 ft. Our recommendation is to choose a unit with a cable that is at at least 18 ft long. If that length isn’t sufficient, look for home charging stations with a 25 ft cable.

Cable for two, please?

If you have more than one EV to charge (lucky you!), there are mainly two options. First, you could get a dual charging station. These can charge two vehicles simultaneously and need to be installed somewhere where the cables can plug into both electric cars at the same time. The other option would be to purchase two smart charging stations (more on that later) and install them on a single circuit and link them. Although this gives you more flexibility with the installation, this option is generally more expensive.

Matching your home charging station to your lifestyle

3. How nomadic are you?

If you tend to head over to your cottage on a weekly basis, or have a career that requires you to move often, you might choose a portable charging station, rather than a unit that is hard-wired and permanently-mounted.

Here are the differences between the two:

1. Hard-wired and permanently-mounted:

Here, the home charging station is connected directly to the electrical panel with a wire. The installation of these units is often considered cleaner and are best for EV drivers that have a sedentary lifestyle. They also have the advantage of being much more difficult to steal, since someone would need to cut a live 240-volt wire to remove it.

2. Portable:

These simply hang on the wall and plug into a 240-volt receptacle. With these, pay attention to the plug the portable charging station comes with—it will usually either be a NEMA 14-50P (a common outlet for electric stoves) or a NEMA 6-50P (a common outlet for welder plugs). Make sure it’s compatible with the wall receptacle. Some homes already have a 240-volt receptacle where the station will be installed, which makes it easy to match! If you don’t already have a 240-volt outlet, you can have an electrician install whichever matches the plug you purchase.

4. Which home charging station will charge your electric car the fastest?

Finding out which home charging station offers the fastest charging speed is a popular topic among new EV drivers. Hey, we get it: Time is precious and valuable.

So let’s cut to the chase—there’s no time to lose!

In short, no matter which model you choose, the selection of level 2 charging stations available on our online store and in general, across North America, can charge a full EV battery overnight.

However, EV charging time is dependent on a host of variables such as:

• Your EV’s battery size: the bigger it is, the longer it will take to charge.
• Your home charging station’s max power capacity: even if the vehicle on-board charger can accept a high power, if the home charging station can only output less, it will not charge the vehicle as fast as it can.
• Your EV’s on board charger power capacity: it can only accept a maximum power intake on 120V and 240V. If the charger can supply more, the vehicle will limit the charging power and affect the time to charge
• Environmental factors: a very cold or very hot battery can limit the max power intake and thus affect charging time.

Among these variables, the charging time of an electric car comes down to the following two: the power source and the vehicle's on board charger capacity.

1. Power source: As mentioned in our handy resource A Beginner’s Guide to Electric Cars, you can plug in your EV to a regular household plug. These give 120-volt and can take over 24 hours to deliver a full battery charge. Now, with a level 2 charging station, we increase the power source to 240-volt, which can deliver a full battery charge in four to nine hours.
2. EV on board charger capacity: The cable that you plug into an electric car directs the power source of electricity to the EV charger in the car that converts the AC electricity from the wall into DC to charge the battery.

If you’re a numbers person, here’s the formula for charging time: total charging time = kWh ÷ kW.

Meaning, if an electric car has a 10-kW on board charger and a 100-kWh battery, you can expect it to take 10 hours to charge a fully depleted battery.

This also means that even if you equip your home with one of the most powerful level 2 charging stations—such as one that can provide 9.6 kW—most electric cars won’t charge any faster.

5. What else can a home charging station do for you?

Some level 2 charging stations are ‘smart’ and can be controlled remotely with an app on your phone over WiFi or Bluetooth. These smart home charging stations don’t charge any faster, but they do offer perks, such as access control or data monitoring. If those interest you, check which smart features are offered by a specific home charging station before buying it.

One thing to keep in mind: Most EVs have their own smartphone app which can do some or all of these smart features, so we recommend you start by checking what your electric car already offers to make sure you don’t pay twice for the something you might already have.

Final aspects to choose the right home charging station

1. Cable management: Certain models include a holster or a hook to hold the cable and connector. This keeps them out of harm’s way and avoids additional clutter in the garage.
2. Locking mechanism: If you plan on installing a portable home charging station outside, make sure you can lock both the unit and the non-EV connector cable. This will help prevent theft and children or animals playing with the 240 V outlet. A simple step that can save you a lot of trouble!
3. Size and appearance: Although this comes down to personal preference, make sure to consider the weight of the station if it’s portable. Keep in mind that while you may like a design, it's important not to prioritize the aesthetic appearance at the expense of key features that better match your lifestyle.

Ready to choose the right home charging station?

If you answered each question in this guide, you have everything you need to choose the right home charging station. Browse level 2 charging stations available in our online store and find you match or compare them here.

Get started with EV home charging—it’s electrifying!

Once that’s done, download the ChargeHub app for your weekend getaways. You’ll be able to Go EVerywhere with your electric car.

*Some illustrations in this guide contain designs created by pch.vector from freepik.com.