Electric Car Charger – All You Need to Know About EV Charging Stations

There’s a steady rise in the use of electric cars. More people are becoming interested in electrically powered vehicles due to environmental and ecological reasons, and more companies are pushing towards the increased manufacturing and sale of electric vehicles (EVs). 

From a consumer’s perspective, if you plan to buy or have already purchased your first electric car, one of the initial concerns is how best to charge it. You may wonder… How long does it take to charge the car, and how much does it cost? Should you consider an electric car charger installation at your home? These and other questions are bound to arise in your mind as an EV owners or prospective buyer, and we can help you find the answers.

How to Charge an Electric Car?

Even if it’s your first time charging an electric vehicle, it’s simple and mainly requires you to plug one end of the charging cable in the charging station and the other end in your car. But the important thing to consider is the availability of charging stations in different locations.

The most reliable and cost-efficient method of EV charging is to install electric vehicle home charging stations. You can always leave your home with a fully charged vehicle that way. The next best option is to charge at your workplace, as more businesses are increasingly installing EV charging stations on their premises. Charge your vehicle while it is parked at your office and drive back home with enough power. It’s quite convenient.

When you’re driving to other places and not just commuting between home and office, you will have to rely on public charging stations installed in different locations. GPS-based apps like PlugShare and Zap-Map display the location and direction for commercial EV charging stations near you, so those will come in handy when driving around town.

How Much Does It Cost To Charge An Electric Vehicle?

Before you estimate how much electric car charging stations cost, you should know about the different charging mechanisms. There are three levels of EV charging:

• Level 1 charging uses 120 V and might take above 20 hours to fully replenish the battery, but it is the most affordable option.
• Level 2 charging is twice as fast as level 1 and operates at 240 V but will also cost more than level 1.
• Level 3 uses DC voltage to offer high-speed charging and can replenish more than half your battery in less than 30 minutes, but it’s the most expensive option of the three.

The place you charge your vehicle will also influence your ongoing expenses, and you’ll want to consider the cost of charging an electric car at a public station. If you install a charger station at your home, you’ll have an upfront cost of installation at the beginning. After that, the cost for charging comes included in your electricity bill based on the power consumed for charging, just like using any other electric appliance at home. It’s definitely the easiest and most cost-efficient way to charge your vehicle. 

As for commercial EV charging stations in other places like your workplace or public locations, the price wildly varies. It can cost you nothing at all, or it can cost a lot depending on the level of charging you use and the general electricity cost in your region.

Contact Windward Electric for all your EV Charging Needs

If you have an electric vehicle that you use daily, it’s essential to install EV home charging stations. Or as a business owner, you might also consider installing commercial EV charging stations at the workplace for your employees and visitors. At Windward Electric, we have a team of specialists who can take care of the entire installation process from start to finish.

We work closely with our clients and recommend the best type of charging stations depending on the car model, battery, and regular consumption needs of the car. Along with the technical details, we also focus on aesthetics and design to make sure the charging stations blend perfectly with your premises.

As a professional electrical contractor with A+ Better Business Bureau (BBB) accreditation, we also offer expert services in many other electrical areas such as:

• Surge protection and basement wiring
• Ceiling fans and smoke detectors installation
• Electrical inspection
• Outlet installations and repairs
• Electrical panel upgrade, and much more.

If you need an ever-reliable electrical contractor that can get the job done right across multiple areas, reach out to us at Windward Electric today.