You’ve made the decision to invest in an electric vehicle or at least a hybrid. That means you need a way to charge your vehicle at home. Fortunately, finding EV charging solutions is not that difficult today. Making sure you have the right solution does involve paying attention to a few details. Here are some basics that will help with the selection process.
Maximum Power Capacity
How quickly will a station charge the vehicle? It depends a great deal on the maximum power capacity of the unit. You will find that some can complete a full charge in a matter of hours. Others may need as much as 24 hours to do the job.
Your goal is to invest in stations that will charge in less time while not placing too much stress on your home’s electrical wiring. An expert can help you compare options and go with one that is a good fit.
Station Placement
Another factor to consider is where the station should be place. The goal is to ensure that it’s not in the way in between charges, but can be easily connected to the vehicle when necessary. If you store the car in a garage, mounting the station along the back wall or on one side would likely work.
If the car is stored in a carport, mounting the station within that space is a good idea. For vehicles that are parked on driveways, setting up a station adjacent to the paved area will be your best bet.
The Number of Stations Required
Will one station be sufficient? That’s typically the case if you only have one vehicle. When there’s more than one, you may want to consider investing in a minimum of two EV charging solutions, mounting them in locations where both can be used at the same time.
Even if you only own one electric vehicle, it never hurts to consider having a second station. This is especially true if you frequently entertain. This would allow one of your guests to charge during dinner or the party, and have plenty of energy to get back home.
Ensuring You Have The Right Connector
Today, most of the electric and hybrid vehicles manufactured in the United States have the same type of connector that can be used with what are known as Level 1 and Level 2 chargers. Things are more problematic if the vehicle you purchase is manufactured elsewhere.
Before you invest in a station, do consult the manufacturer recommendations. This will provide guidelines for selecting stations with connectors that fit your vehicle. Doing so will mean you don’t have to be concerned about investing in more equipment to adapt the station.
When in doubt, talk with an expert about the type of station that would work best for your setting. Ask about features and how to make the most of them. Taking these measures in advance will ensure that once the charging station is in place, you can begin to use it immediately and keep the car ready to take you wherever you want to go.
