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Written by Larry Cook

Electric Vehicle Charging Station Installation Guide – Part 1

The majority of plug-in vehicles are shipped with a Level 1 charging station, letting the owner charge the battery from a standard household outlet. Those owning a plug-in hybrid vehicle with a Level 1 charging station will find charging times slow, resulting in a limited driving range. If faster charging or longer distance is required, a Level 2 charging station will be necessary.

Home Charging Station Functions

A home charging station is considered EVSE (electric vehicle supply equipment), and it actually does not do the charging. An electric car carries an on-board charger, which performs the conversion of household alternating current (AC) to the direct current (DC) that will be stored in its batteries.

First Considerations

1. What is the make and model of your plug-in car?
2. Where is the location of the nearest electric panel to your parking space?
3. What is your vehicle’s electric range?
4. If you own a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), what is your electric range?
5. If you own a battery electric vehicle (BEV), what is the farthest distance you anticipate driving between charges on a regular basis?

PHEV vs. BEV Charging

Plug-in hybrid vehicles like the Chevy Volt and Kia Optima typically have limited electric ranges. They can usually be fully charged within 5 hours using their Level 1 (120 V) chargers that only require a standard household outlet. In contrast, pure battery electric vehicles (BEV) like the Tesla Model 3 and the Nissan Leaf can require increased time to completely charge if their batteries are empty.

Part 2 will cover the three kinds of charging stations: Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3.

Electrical Peace of Mind

Providing professional electricians since 1988 in Maryland, Cook Electric is the company you can rely on for all your electrical service needs, including:

• Commercial & Residential Electrical Installations
• Marina & Residential Pier Wiring
• Electrical Service & Repair
• Specialty Electrical Services
• EV Charging Stations

For knowledgeable, fair, honest, reliable, and conscientious service, call Cook Electric today at (410) 266-9040. We will be very glad to help you.