Electric cars are quickly starting to emerge all over North American roads thanks to their intelligent design, eco-friendly fuel source, and their overall efficiency compared to traditional combustion engine vehicles. As a result, electric car owners are often on the lookout for the most efficient and convenient EV charging station they can find. While every electric vehicle comes with a 120v charging cable that can be plugged into any household socket to charge the car battery, many drivers will eventually want the level two charger which can charge the car four times faster. Purchasing and installing one of these 240v EV charging stations is pretty straightforward, but since these are new pieces of technology that need to be directly wired into your home’s electrical system, there are a few things to consider first.

Considerations When buying an EV charging Station

1. Selecting and Purchasing

There are plenty of EV charging stations to choose from on the market today. Fortunately, they all seem to work well enough compared to one another, making your decision a little bit easier. Before you choose which item to purchase, consider things like the length of cable you’ll need to reach your vehicle. You should also consider how often you drive and require a charge for the car. Some EV charging stations are less expensive, but they charge at a much slower rate. For an initial upfront cost, you can buy a charging station with twice the charging speed, which will save you money and time in the long run. No matter what brand or type of EV charger you choose, you will likely need a professional electrician to help with the installation.

2. Installation

There are two main methods of EV charging station installation. The first method is the hardwired method which connects the charger directly to your home’s electrical panel. This method is the cleanest installation method because it requires no additional connections or junction boxes. The one main drawback to this approach is the need for a professional to perform any repairs or replacements, should there be an issue with the EV charging station itself or the direct wire connection. You can also opt for the indirect plug-in method of installation, which adds a little more flexibility. Instead of connecting the EV charger directly to the breaker or fuse panel, an electrician can set you up with a standard plug on your wall. Once this is installed, you can simply plug and unplug your EV charger as needed. This makes it easy to change your EV charging station should you ever require a new one or an upgrade. You can also move your charging station around more easily with this type of connection if you ever need to rearrange your garage.

Choosing the right EV charging station for your needs takes a little consideration, but once you have made your selection, installation with help from BPM Electric is easy and convenient. To learn more about other EV charging station features, or to arrange for installation contact us today!