Car Charger Services in Columbia, SC
Installing a vehicle charging station in your home is a big decision. Fortunately, quite a few available options provide the homeowner the freedom to make the perfect choice to fit their needs.
Why Now is a Great Time to Install
The number of electric cars on the road is set to triple over the next decade, with several car manufacturers claiming that nearly half of their new car fleet will be electrical by 2030. Making an investment in Electrical Vehicle Chargers in the home now is a wise investment that could pay off later.
More and more drivers are becoming seduced by the prospect of never having to revisit a gas station. With lengthy sessions spent at a public charging station soon becoming a reality, the choice to charge the car at home is an alternative that most would prefer.
While the rise in EV usage will eventually lead to more public charging stations, this may take some time, mainly if you live in a more rural area. Still, there are a few things to consider before getting started.
The decision of which car charger to purchase will depend on the type of electric car you have and how much you plan to drive the car. Meaning, is the vehicle an electric hybrid or fully electric? This can make a big difference in the cost of the charger. If the car is a gas/electric hybrid, a less expensive charger should work just fine. But if the vehicle is fully electric, it might be a good idea to look into faster car chargers since the car will be entirely dependent on it for power.
The location for the charger is worth considering as well. If the charger is to be located inside of a garage or some other protected place, this will open up some more choices. But a charger that will be exposed to the elements must be rated for outdoor use. A professional in-car charger service in Columia, SC can help with this.
Which Type of Charger is Best?
There are three basic choices for the charger level. The first level uses a standard 120V outlet that is already widely available in most homes. This level will charge your EV, but it will take longer than other options. This level charger does not require any special equipment or installation. For most cars driven less than 40 miles per day, this level should meet the demand.
The second level of car charger requires a 240V wall outlet. While this type of outlet is far less common, some garages are already equipped with this, mainly if the home had a prior car charging station and the current installation is an upgrade. One of the main advantages of this level charger is speed, and they cut down the charging time to roughly half that of level 1.
Level three chargers operate on DC power and are considered “fast” chargers. The level three options are primarily used for commercial or industrial purposes, and the prices start around $20,000.
Ultra-fast chargers or level four are a new entry into the car charger world. These chargers also operate on DC power and are called “ultra-fast” for a good reason. These stations are the next level in electric car charging technology and are not commonly seen.
Some regions may offer a prime or daytime pricing option for electricity costs. These municipalities charge a higher price for power consumption during the daytime and a lower price for energy consumed at night. This type of setup can provide money savings when charging your EV if there is the option of charging the car at night. A programmable car charger can conveniently take advantage of these lower rates when the vehicle is not usually in use.
Keeping Your Power and Pocketbook Secure
As mentioned earlier regarding the placement of the charger outside chargers will require proper protection from the elements and protection from other users. This type of theft is not common but with more and more EV’s on the road protecting your energy bill is essential. It’s a good idea to have a switch inside the home that will allow disabling of the unit when it shouldn’t be in use. Licensed electrician services in Columbia, SC, can help with setting this up.
Car charger levels are not necessarily interchangeable with every electric vehicle. The electric vehicle manufacturer is the best authority for all questions regarding the best type of charger for the car.
Advanced Technology Electrical has been serving the Columbia area since 2003, handling jobs quickly, efficiently, and doing quality work. We take residential and commercial projects—Call 803-767-1685 for an appointment.
