Electric Vehicles and Charging Stations
Electric Vehicles and Charging Stations
Posted on December 6, 2021
Electric cars are quickly becoming an everyday reality rather than an exotic glimpse of the future. But if there's one thing holding electric vehicle (EV) technology from reaching the tipping point it's worries surrounding the whole topic of charging. Many people think that charging an EV is slow, expensive, and inconvenient, and that driving an EV means you risk being stranded without juice.
All this may have once been true, but today it's far from accurate. Not only are commercial charging stations widely spread around Regina and beyond, but it's easy and quick to set up your own charging station at home. Here's what you need to know about the three main types of charging station available, and what they mean for home installation.
Level 1 EV Charging Stations
A Level 1 charging station is the most basic type, and everything you need is supplied with most any electric vehicle sold today. Essentially, this kind of charger lets you plug your EV directly into your home's 120V mains supply using a regular electrical outlet. And while this is convenient and inexpensive, with no installation costs, it's also not very efficient. A full charge can easily take eight to 12 hours, and the more powerful your battery, the longer it will take. If your car is regularly parked up at home overnight, then a Level 1 charger might be a good option, but you can't rely on one for a quick and easy charge.
But even at this basic level, a Level 1 charging station can be hooked up to your home's solar panels if you have them, providing a little extra juice for free, even if you use a more powerful charging station elsewhere for most of your battery needs.
Level 2 Charging Stations
For most people, a Level 2 charging station is the most convenient option. It can cut charging times down to four to six hours, making overnight charging straightforward and realistic. These charging stations are also relatively accessible, requiring only some basic installation work to draw a 240V circuit from your home's electrical panel. Fitting a Level 2 EV charger is a job any competent electrician can do in just an hour or two. And just as with the more basic chargers, Level 2 designs are easy to hook into a solar system to provide free, sustainable charging of your EV - often with energy left over to spare.
Level 3 Charging Stations
Lastly, you may be wondering if you could fit a commercial-style Level 3 charging station in your home for super-fast charging. Unfortunately, at this time the answer is basically no. The charging stations themselves are too expensive for most people to consider, and they'd also require major electrical work to install them into a domestic supply.
Explore Electric Vehicles in Regina
Need help with electric vehicles and charging in Regina? Whether you're looking to take the plunge with a new electric vehicle purchase or want assistance in setting up a new home charging station, Bennett Dunlop Ford is your expert source for everything EV in Regina.