Equipping your home with an EV home charger is an ideal way to fully charge your vehicle overnight and stop spending time charging at public fast chargers. Read on to learn how to get one installed.
Types of EV Home Charging Stations
Level 1
If you already own an EV, it might have come with a Level 1 charger that you plug into a standard 120-volt socket in your garage.
The problem with them is that they only provide you with 4 miles of range per hour, which is only 40-50 miles overnight. It’s no wonder that most EV owners eventually seek out a faster home charging solution …
Level 2
These chargers are a major upgrade. Level 2 chargers require a 240-volt outlet (the same used by heavy-duty appliances like your stove and clothes dryer) and operate at many times the current (measured in amps). This increased capacity allows you to charge your EV overnight to full capacity (or 80%, as many EV manufacturers recommend).
Level 2 chargers are purchased separately from your vehicle, and there are many excellent brands to choose from.
How Much Does It Cost to Install a Level 2 EV Charger?
Most Level 2 chargers on the market cost between $350 and $700. Having one installed by a licensed, experienced electrician (a must), varies in cost depending on the complexity of the install.
Installations are more complex when they involve hardwiring the charger directly into your electrical panel, which is sometimes highly recommended due to several variables.
Other complexities include a greater-than-average distance between your charger installation site and your electrical panel and the need to upgrade your panel to accommodate a new 240-volt circuit (usually not necessary).
Luckily, some local electric utilities like Evergy offer rebates on Level 2 chargers. If you’re an Evergy customer, they will reimburse you for the expense of your charger up to $500. Check with the utility that serves your home about home charger rebates, as well as off-peak charging hours that can save you even more money on home charging.
EV Charging at Home vs. Public Station – Which Costs Less?
Charging your EV at home is way more convenient than driving to a local DC fast charger – or less-fast public charger – and spending 25 or 40 minutes to get an 80% charge. Turns out, it’s also a lot less expensive to charge at home.
On average, a public charging station will cost between 30-60 cents per kilowatt, whereas a home charging station in Missouri will, on average, cost you less than a dime per kilowatt. The average residential retail electricity rate in Kansas is 10.4 cents per kilowatt.
It’s no surprise that fast home charging capability maximizes the satisfaction of EV-owning Kansas City area residents.
Get Started Today with an Experienced EV Charging Station Contractor Near You
Interested in installing an EV charging station at home? Our service professionals at C.M. Mose & Son provide EV charger installation services.
We can help you choose the right EV charger for your home and your EV and then provide a professional installation. Call us at 816-339-5190[OUW7], or request service online to get started.