Having an EV Charging Station at your home is a convenient and safe way to charge your electric vehicle for daily or occasional use.

Around 80% of all vehicle charging is done at home, and there’s a reason for that. Though the cost of putting in a residential EV station can be prohibitive, most electric car owners find that the pros of doing so far outweigh the cons. For most, that decision comes down to:

•   Convenience: Imagine never worrying about running out of charge or driving in circles trying to find an open station. That’s the kind of freedom a home EV station can give you.
•   Long-Term Savings: Most commercial charging stations charge you per hour and not for wattage. This means you often end up paying for non-charging time. At home, you only pay for what you use and don’t have middlemen to pay. To see how much you might pay at home, you can visit this state-by-state list of kilowatt per hour rates.

These chargers only require a 120V circuit. This allows them to run off any three-pronged outlet. These chargers provide between 2 and 5 miles of charge per hour. That’s more than enough for most drivers.

Businesses and other high traffic areas can benefit from installing an EV Charging Station. Many electric vehicle owners choose to frequent businesses that offer EV Charging Stations, and EV Charging Stations can cause customers to spend more time (and thus money!) at your business. Companies can also offer access to EV Charging Stations as a benefit for their employees.

Fun Fact! A study done at Target found that customers using the EV charging stations stayed at the store more than 5 times longer than customers who didn’t use the EV charging stations.

There are several factors to consider when selecting your car charger. These items include:

•   Your Preferences: Do you want SMART options? A fancy app that monitors usage and diagnoses any charging issues? For things like this, you’ll need to splurge on a more expensive model.
•   Length of Commute: If your job is a couple of miles away, you probably won’t have to worry about running out of juice on your way home. A cheaper charger is likely the better choice. For those with commutes over 30 minutes, it’s a good idea to pay for a better charge.
•   The Availability of Charging Stations: Around a third of public charging stations in the US are in California. Coverage can be spotty elsewhere. In areas where chargers are few and far between, it’s a good idea to purchase something more robust.

These chargers don’t run off of anything less than a 240V circuit, similar to your dryer. Because the quality varies widely, Level 2s offer anywhere between 15 and 40 miles of charge an hour.