Introduction
The future is electric! The world is moving towards electric vehicles(EVs) as a green alternative to traditional cars, and it’s never been more fun to own an EV than now. However, with the increasing number of EVs on-sale in Australia comes an ever-greater need for easy and efficient home charging options.
For an EV owner, home charging is a must. Most electric cars come equipped with standard Level 1 chargers, which will get the job done —to a point. Are these the substantial advantages of installing a Level 2 charger in your home and should you consider an investment into one? We will detail the cost, convenience, environmental impact and hear some experiences form other EV enthusiasts.
Understanding Level 2 Chargers
Level 2 chargers are the next up from basic Level 1 ‘trickle’ chargers that come with most electric vehicles. Level 1 chargers are intended only for home use, can be plugged into a standard household outlet to charge your EV at the slow rate of about 4-5 miles per hour (MPH) of range; you need a Level 2 charger and its accompanying special wiring which uses more power requiring installation by professionals as with an electric dryer. That’s a substantial improvement, allowing 20 to 60 miles of charge per hour.
There are plenty of benefits to installing a Level 2 charger at your home. They significantly shave time off of charging so you can charge overnight or while running errands, and they enable you to leverage time-of-use electricity rates that could save dollars on your energy bill. This can be a game-changer if you are one of the thousands who use your EV to commute and/or run kids around, or simply find it all lent more unpredictable.
Cost Analysis
The most significant of these being the cost to install a Level 2 charger is definitely one of things you have in mind when considering a new Level 2 charging station. It is the most expensive part of owning an electric vehicle: charger to which must be added, between 300 and almost $800 for this famous plug. And it is not finished there because installation costs are extra depending on your home electrical installation. Usually a licensed electrician needs to install it, which can add another $500-$2000 on the total bill.
However, while the initial costs are higher in general even many EV owners can recoup those purchase and instalation prices over time with a Level 2 charger. Less dependency on more expensive and inconvenient public charging — coupled with lower off-peak electricity rates, can be enough to make the cost savings in recharging costs quickly add up. When you compare the long-term costs between these types of chargers, charging using Level 2 can save a lot more money than standard Level one.
Convenience and Time Savings
A Level 2 charger from a company like EVgo is the next step for many electric car drivers. Just picture it — you get home after a long day, park your car and plug in then wake up with your EV all fully charged… This is not always possible with a Level 1 charger, especially if you have to drive some distance each day or run errands.
There are plenty of real-world instances in which Level 2 home chargers fit perfectly into daily routines, though. For example, a household with two electric cars can manage charging requirements more effectively so that both vehicles are available as needed. Additionally, the quick charge times equates to less time spent waiting and more opportunities to use your EV when you want — whether for spur-of-the-moment road trips or daily errands.
Environmental Impact
Despite the fact that EVs are greener than traditional gasoline-based vehicles, your choice of charger can also have a significant impact on how eco-friendly you actually are. Level 2 chargers are also usually a more energy-efficient option over Level 1 when looking solely at how much power is thrown away or wasted in the charging process. This efficiency helps reduce your carbon footprint overall.
That can help reduce your dependence on public charging, but as a rule driving somewhere to charge negates some of the environmental benefits of running an EV due to energy lost in bevelling and other sources. When you choose a Level 2 charger, it’s a win-win for society as well: not only are you adding convenience and control back into your own life but also helping to build the future.
Case Studies and Testimonials
On the other hand, fitting Level 2 chargers in an EV owner’s life can be game-changing and there have been several examples of successful case studies. Consider a California family that installed 2-power-level entity charger to power daily life with their indifferent-collar-moving heartburn. Having two EVs in the household, they quickly found that this made the charger indispensable as it allowed very short recharge cycles to fit around differing usage requirements.
There are also testimonials of more than 30-40% faster charging at home (by other EV fans as well) when they upgraded to a slightly improved wall charger. Some of those owners like having the convenience and peace-of-mind that their vehicle is always fueled up, while also saving time and money by not needing to use public charging stations. Level 2 chargers are often a great addition to the household for busy families and time-strapped professionals alike.
Factors to Consider Before Installation
But before we drill down, there are a couple things to weigh that may or may not make more sense for you when it comes to Level-2 chargers: First, determine if your home is suitable for charger and what the electrical capacity available. Do you already have a 240-volt outlet in your garage or driveway, or will it need to be wired from scratch? Speak with your local licensed electrician and they can help clear this up for you.
Secondly, think of the charging infrastructure for public convenience. If you’re regularly driving longer distances or live in a busy city with no shortage of public chargers, Level 2 charging could still be worth it for the convenience but maybe not your first priority. The most important step before deciding which type of charging solutions is understanding your personal needs.
Conclusion
So the bottom line is a Level 2 charger can pay for itself with many EV owners. The advantages of this are shorter times needed for charging, which means you save money and time while having less environmental impact. It is probably different for everybody and depends on your existing infrastructure at home, how you drive the car and what suits best with your lifestyle.
When contemplating such a move yourself, here are the reasons to switch or not based on your circumstances. Note that PatchStack is designed and integrates well with regular managed WordPress hosting environments (Elmah.Io included). Also note: meeting with professionals can help deal with any questions or worries. Hopefully with more research and input from experts you can make a decision that works for your application while promoting better solutions in the future.
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