Author: Lacy Cook — Electric vehicles (EVs) have seen a consistent and notable increase in popularity in recent years. In 2018, 2% of drivers drove EVs. Just five years later in, 2023, that percentage soared to 18%. If you’re considering jumping on the green energy wave and switching to an electric car, you might benefit from a charging station for your home. Plus, you can also integrate electric cars with other sustainability efforts like solar energy to make an even bigger difference. Here’s what you need to know about the process of a home EV charger installation, from how the installation itself works to how solar can complement your strategy.
Understanding EV Charger Levels
Not all EV chargers are the same. They represent different levels of speed and voltage, and those approved for at-home use aren’t as speedy as the superchargers found in public spaces, although they are faster than simply plugging your car into a wall outlet. EV chargers come in three levels:
Level 1 – These chargers don’t require any installation at all. They’re essentially the existing 120V outlets in your home that you use to power any other appliance or your cell phone! As a result, it takes quite a bit of time (around 10 to 12 hours) to fully charge an electric vehicle using a Level 1 charger.
Level 2 – Most home charging stations are Level 2 chargers, which connect to your main service panel (also called a breaker box) like solar does. Compared with Level 1 chargers, Level 2 chargers work much faster: about four to six hours for a full charge. Besides homes, you’ll usually find them in public places like parking lots or parking garages.
Level 3 – These are the rarer, more specific chargers you typically find in niche public places, such as highway rest stops. While they work very quickly (typically about 30 minutes to an hour), plugging an electric vehicle into one every day and charging it up to 100% can degrade the battery.
How EV Charger Installations Work
Before the installation starts, we’ll come to your home for a site visit to discuss your goals and determine your home’s capabilities. Next, we’ll design a customized plan for a system tailored to your needs and available infrastructure. Then installation can begin in earnest.
Step 1: The wires for your EV charger will connect to a breaker inside your main service panel. If your panel can’t sustain the new load, it may need to be upgraded or a subpanel added.
Step 2: Uprise installers will run new wiring for the breaker dedicated to your EV charger. They may need to cut into walls or a ceiling to run the wires; we’re happy to talk with you about what we’ll need to do in advance.
Step 3: We’ll handle the paperwork for an electrical permit and bring out an inspector to look over the system.
Step 4: Your EV charger is now functional!
Each installation is unique. While some homes already have the capacity to add an EV charger, others will require infrastructure upgrades to support the increase in electricity usage.
No matter where your house sits in the spectrum of modifications necessary to add EV charging, you can rest assured that Uprise will make the process simple for you. We can also perform maintenance if needed after the installation, so you won’t have to worry about being on your own.
Pairing EV Charging with Solar
Electric vehicles pair wonderfully with solar power! Homeowners who have solar panels can leverage bright daytime hours to charge their EVs when power is abundant and inexpensive. Alternatively, some households choose to utilize battery storage to charge their vehicle overnight.
By pairing EV charging with solar, you can really lower your carbon footprint and reduce your reliance on unsustainable, polluting fuel sources.
Get Your EV Charger Installation Done Right
The convenience of charging your electric car at your own home can’t be topped — and installing an EV charging station may be more seamless than you imagined. We’d be delighted to help you explore how an EV charger installation, solar power, and other options can make a big impact on your community and the environment at large. Contact Uprise to schedule your free consultation.