Updated January 19, 2024
Electric vehicles may have been unique a few years ago, but they’re becoming more popular. As their range and performance have improved, and manufacturers are coming up with more attractive EV options, more drivers are making the switch to electric vehicles. This can make sense from several perspectives.
EVs will undoubtedly stick around, especially given government regulations that favor the production of electrified vehicles. EVs also give you a way to reduce your gas consumption. Importantly, EVs can be easy to charge. After all, you have to plug them into an outlet with the charging cable that the manufacturer has supplied. More EV charging stations are popping up in various areas, making charging more convenient. Of course, the most convenient way to charge an electric vehicle is to plug it in at home. There is a cost to having a home charging station installed, but it’s certainly worth it. When you drive an EV, it’s essential to have easy, unlimited access to a charging station. This way, you’ll be ready to go on your next adventure anytime.
Level 1 Versus Level 2 Charging
Before we review the advantages of investing in a home charging station, we must review Level 1 and Level 2 charging. Level 1 charging is when you use a regular 120-volt AC outlet. While these outlets are readily available, they take a long time to charge a vehicle’s battery. It could take a few days to charge an EV fully. It would take less time to charge a plug-in hybrid, though, since these kinds of vehicles have smaller batteries. You may achieve a full charge on a plug-in hybrid overnight using a Level 1 charger.
Level 2 charging is much faster and uses 240-volt outlets. You’ll need a professional to install one of these systems in your home. For example, it can be installed on an exterior wall or in a garage. A Level 2 charger may only take a few hours to fully charge a plug-in hybrid and an overnight session to charge an electric vehicle. Since many people drive daily or at least a few times a week, the Level 2 charger may make more sense.
Convenience
The primary reason why many EV drivers have invested in Level 2 home charging stations is because of the convenience factor. Yes, you can most likely find open charging stations in your vicinity during different times of the day or night. However, you still have to drive to those locations. Unless they’re within walking distance of your home or office, you’ll have to find somewhere to spend time waiting for your battery to charge. Even if a charging station is within walking distance, you still have to take time to park your vehicle at a charging point. To be courteous to other drivers, you’ll want to move out of the parking spot when you’re finished. Many EVs are compatible with mobile apps that let you know when charging is complete. Still, this takes a bit of effort on your part.
In contrast, you don’t have to worry about anything if you charge at home. You can park the vehicle, plug it in, and do your business. You won’t have to keep track of time, look up your battery range on an app, or figure out ways to spend your time in certain places. Instead, you can do anything that you would usually do at home.
Most people develop habits in which they plug in their vehicles overnight. This gives them the maximum range the next day. Remember that many all-electric models can travel well over 200 miles on a full charge. Therefore, you don’t necessarily need to plug in your vehicle every night, though you certainly could if you wanted to. You’ll have a more limited range if you drive a plug-in hybrid. In this case, plugging in every night could be a smart move.
Charging Costs
It’s hard to say precisely how much it costs to charge an EV battery. It depends on how much electricity is needed to charge your particular battery and the rate you’re charged in kilowatts per hour.
We can confidently say that using a public charging station will likely cost you more than charging at home. For just one occasion, the price difference might not be significant. Each week, though, the amount you save can start to add up, which could help offset the cost of having a charging station installed.
Property Value
Another point is that having an electric charging station at your place could increase your property value. This could be important if you plan on selling your place at any point. Someone buying a home in today’s market may be interested in getting an electric vehicle within the next few years, and having the charging system already in place can make your home more attractive to them. The charging station will likely be highlighted in a description of your home, and it can help your place make a good first impression.
If a buyer likes your property but doesn’t necessarily want an EV, that’s not a problem. From a property value perspective, getting a home charging station installed is only a positive aspect.
Installation Costs
Just as we can’t precisely say what it costs to charge a specific vehicle, it’s difficult to say precisely how much it would cost to install a charging station at your home. Your existing electrical configuration and the location of the outlet may affect the cost, as would the exact product you’d like to use. However, we can say that, in general, home charging stations cost a few thousand dollars to purchase and install.
Let’s say it costs $2,000. If you use your EV for three years, this breaks down to only about $55 per month. The per-month cost will be slashed to less than $30 if you drive your EV for six years. This amount is what many of us spend on gas in a week. When you look at it from this perspective, the financial impact doesn’t seem to amount to that much. Many people have found that the convenience factor outweighs any initial costs by a significant margin.
Need Help? Turn to Us
Golden Rule has been helping neighbors in the metro area for over two decades. At our family-owned business, we work hard on our customers’ behalf and treat everyone with respect. We regularly install, maintain, and repair heating and cooling systems and air quality systems, and we can help you with your plumbing. That could include service related to water heaters, drains, leaks, whole-home repiping, and sump pumps. In terms of electrical work, we can assist you with your electrical panel, installation of appliances and fixtures, generators, whole-home rewiring, and more. Call Golden Rule if you need us to install your EV charging station.
Contact Us Today for Electrical Service!
If you found this post helpful, check out some other budget-saving tips:
