One of the many benefits of driving an electric vehicle is the ability to “fuel” your EV at home without having to take time out of your day to go to a service station. There are various EV charging levels, however, a 240V Level 2 (or L2) charging station charges much faster than a 120V Level 1 (L1) vehicle charging station, which is often included with the purchase of an EV. Typically, a level 2 charger can charge an EV in less than half the time it takes a level 1 charger. But there are some important electrical installation considerations you should make before purchasing an L2 charger. In this article, we’ll discuss the Level 2 electric car outlet requirements so you can get your plug-in car charging as soon as possible.
Level 2 EV charger electrical installation home requirements
✔ Do you have sufficient electrical capacity?
All L2 Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) models on the market require substantial power, usually several times the requirements of an electric range, a central air conditioning or heat pump system. To be more precise, power is how fast energy is used or transmitted, and in the case of a level 2 charging unit – this is a lot of power. It is especially a lot of power if you consider that the EVSE will probably be operating at the same time the range, heating, or cooling system might be operating, so you’ll need to make sure that you have sufficient electrical capacity to handle the EVSE along with these other electric appliances. Generally, charging electric vehicles can easily double or triple the overall power load of a house. And, even if the dwelling has sufficient power coming into it, it might still be necessary to upgrade the electrical distribution panel or other equipment at your home. Installing a level 2 charging station for your electric motor might not cost anything if you already have a 14-50 outlet or could cost between $500-$2,000, depending on your home’s existing electrical capacity.