How Much Does It Cost to Build and Install a Level 2 Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Station?
EVs have become quite popular these days. In fact, since some automakers want to phase out gas-operated vehicles entirely, there may come a day when EVs outnumber ICE cars. In case they ever purchase an EV in the future, it’s important for drivers to know the basics of EV ownership.
To restore an EV’s battery, it must be hooked up to a charging station. Access to these stations at home is convenient and eliminates range anxiety for many EV owners. Let’s go over how much it costs to install one.
The installation process of a Level 2 charger
NeoCharge says that there are three levels of electric vehicle charging. Level 3 charging is the fastest, but it’s typically the most expensive and only available at public locations. You can plug a Level 1 connector into most home outlets, but it charges EVs at a slower pace.
The AFDC tells us that Level 2 chargers can be installed in any home with at least one 240V outlet. Any unit that outputs at least 40 amps of power must be installed by professionals to comply with electrical safety codes. Level 2 chargers can supply up to 80 amps of energy, which equates to approximately 19.2 kWh.
Since most homes only have a few 240V outlets to spare, you may require an additional panel upgrade before installing a charging station. Your first step should be to consult an electrician and receive a quote that covers all the required work.
According to Wattlogic, the overall cost isn’t just determined by the price of the charging station itself. You’ll also have to account for the material and labor fees regarding the installation. Those fees also apply to any concrete pouring and re-wiring necessary to accommodate a new charging station.
To save yourself some money, you can order the charging equipment on your own. After the charging station arrives at your home, you can schedule an installation. After any extra labor is completed, installing the charging station only takes about 2 hours.
How much does Level 2 electric car charging cost?
Tesla estimates that Level 2 charging equipment itself will cost about $400. Labor charges are usually anywhere between $750-$1,500. Carvana says that the average Level 2 charger (parts and labor included) will cost $1,600 in total.
Other sites like HomeServe claim that you might spend up to $2,500 on a Level 2 charging station. Your price quote will be at the higher end if new electrical outlets are needed.
FutureEnergy also mentions that many states provide rebates for customers that install home charging stations. However, Level 2 chargers are still much cheaper compared to Level 3 stations. According to FutureEnergy, these can cost at least $40,000.
Ohm Home predicts that these costs will decrease significantly in the next few years. Years ago, it was difficult to find an electrical technician with enough expertise to properly install these units. Nowadays, more companies are training their electricians on the ins and outs of home charging to meet the demands of their customers.
How fast does a Level 2 charger restore an EV’s battery?
Individual EV charging time varies greatly depending on your car’s battery capacity and the power output of your charger. The Department of Transportation estimates that Level 2 chargers can fully replenish the batteries of most modern EVs in 8-12 hours.
Older EVs with smaller battery units might only need four hours to be recharged completely. At an hourly rate, Forbes says that some Level 2 chargers can restore up to 80 miles of range. Meanwhile, even a low-voltage Level 2 charger usually supplies 12 miles of range per hour.
