Electric Vehicle Chargers: How to Install One in Your Home

The most significant barrier to rapid adoption, though, could be the lack of a significant charging infrastructure throughout the U.S. Indeed, major vehicle manufacturers, such as Toyota (Prius), with the #1 selling hybrid in the world, and a 100% EV on the way, as well as Chevy (the Volt), Nissan (LEAF) and Ford (Focus Electric) remain committed to producing "mainstream" EVs, which makes them more visible and readily accessible. And the U.S. government is also making EVs more palatable for Americans to get into with a federal tax credit that can range from $2,500-$7,500, for purchasing. Also, by using electricity instead of gasoline, Americans can potentially save over $500 on fuel for year, making electric vehicles a more appealing return on investment (ROI). Also, as mentioned previously, Tesla is aggressively fighting to expand the sales of its luxury EVs throughout the U.S. and the world.

However the most significant barrier, both psychological and physical, to mainstream adoption of electric vehicles is the lack of a broadly distributed network of EV charging stations throughout the U.S. The average U.S. consumer drives approximately 40 miles per day, however most EVs have a range of approximately 75-miles, giving people enough range to address most, but not necessarily all, of their needs.

According to Statistic Brain, in 2012 there were approximately 121,000 gas stations in the U.S., whereas there are only about 15,000 EV charging stations across the nation, only 40% of which (or 6,000) are open to the public. The other 60% are private at-home charging stations. Adding to the complexity of rolling out a universal charging network is the lack of consistent payment systems among charging stations. For example, an EV driver may find a charging station within reach, but the station may not carry the corresponding radio-frequency identification (RFID) chip needed to pay for that particular charging station’s service.

Even as the EV market grows and the network of charging stations expands to become a more seamless method for public EV refueling and reducing our "range anxiety", home charging stations remain the place where EV owners do most of their charging. Installing an EV charger (formally known as Electric Vehicle Service Equipment or EVSE) at your home for overnight repowering is a great option. Below are answers to some of your EV charging station questions, as well as some suggestions for how to install an EV charger in your home. Although driving an EV comes with start-up costs that mainstream gasoline-powered cars do not have, the up-front investment may ultimately save the driver money on refueling costs, while setting an example for alternative fueling and protecting the environment from the emissions that cause climate change.

What Do You Need To Get Started?

According to GoElectricDrive, depending on how fast you want to recharge your EV, and how much money you are willing to spend, you have two options when it comes to EVSEs. First, the typical 120-volt household outlet can be used to charge most EVs. It takes a total of 8 hours to completely recharge most vehicles, and the charging equipment requires very little set up. EVs even come with a 120-volt cord set with a three-prong plug at one end to plug into a wall outlet and an automotive standardized connector on the other end to plug into the EV. According to Plugincars, using a 120-volt outlet to charge your EV provides 5 miles of range per hour of driving.

The other option is to install a 240-volt circuit (the same circuit that is used for clothing dryers), which cuts down charging time in half. A 240-volt circuit requires the installation of a dedicated circuit and a charging station at your home; however, it provides 10-25 miles of range per hour of charging, a significant increase.

Therefore, your choice of voltage will also depend on the type of EV you own, how much you drive, and how fast you want to charge your vehicle.

What Are The Steps for EV Charger Installation?

1. Conduct a Home Power Assessment: A certified electrician will be able to tell you if your home can handle the additional power requirement of either 15-20 amps with the 120-volt charge or 30-40 amps with the 240-volt charge based on the age of your home and size of your electrical panel. If an upgrade is needed, costs can start at a few hundred dollars.
2. Select Your Charger: In the 120-volt and 240-volt varieties, you can choose between pole-mounted, wall-mounted, or freestanding stations. It is also important to determine the location of your charger compared to the charging port on your car. Most cables are 15-25 feet, so be sure your cable can reach where you plan to park your car! Consulting your automobile manufacturer and selecting a charger that has been certified to UL standards with a Society of Automotive Engineers compliant connector will help you decide on the best charger for you. Some popular charging station brands include the Clipper Greek CS-40, the Aerovironment EVSE RS-Plug-in, and the Ecotality Blink.
3. Check With Your Utility: If you decide on a 240-volt charging station, you must notify your local utility so that they can ensure reliable electrical service. Consulting your utility will also help you to learn more about the installation process and the cheapest times for charging your EV.
4. Schedule an Installation and Get a Permit: Typically, automakers and utilities have installer partners for home charging stations. Be sure to check that your electrician is licensed and insured. To install a new circuit, a building permit and field inspection is often required.

How Much Does It Cost?

GoElectricDrive says installing a home charging station can cost up to $1,200 plus the cost of the charger, which can be about $1,000. However, there is a federal tax credit equal to 50% of installation cost (with a maximum of $2,000), which can help to offset the investment. States and utilities often provide additional incentives for installation, so keep your receipts!

What If I Live In a Multi-Unit Building?

EV owners who live in multi-unit settings will face more challenges than single family home residents. While you'll have more safety and installation considerations, charging in a multi-family home is not impossible. You'll want to enlist the property owner or management company as an advocate for alternative fueling. Obviously, if the property has a small number of units, it will most likely not make any sense for the owner to make an investment in an EV chargins station, however for larger multi-family property owners, such as public company REITs, like UDR and Avalon Bay, which own hundreds of apartment buildings across the U.S., EV charging stations may make sense. For this process, it is important to keep open lines of communication with your landlord or property manager.

Final Thoughts

Although there seem to be many costs associated with purchasing an EV and challenges associated with the installation process in order to charge at home, owning an electric vehicle may be easier and cheaper than you originally expected. With so many tax credits and fuel savings, purchasing an EV is becoming a more economical choice. Once a home charging station is installed, there may be no more hassle... And no more gas stations!