Residential EV Charging

There are two different types of chargers available for residential applications, Level 1 and Level 2. See below for more details on these two types of chargers. 

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Level 1

All electric vehicles come with a standard Level 1 charger, which can be plugged into a typical 120-volt outlet.  Considering these chargers add about 3-5 miles of range per hour, charging overnight for 8 hours will add about 24-40 miles of range to your car. Some EV manufacturers suggest their Level 1 Cord Set should be used only during unusual circumstances when Level 2 EVSE is not available, such as when parked overnight at a non-owner’s home (source).

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Level 2

Many EV owners opt to purchase a Level 2 charger because of their faster charging times. These chargers attach to a 240-volt plug outlet, just like your electric dryer or water heaterThey are the most common home charging stations and are also frequently installed in public lots. The higher voltage of Level 2 allows a much faster battery charge, recharging a vehicle battery in a few hours or easily overnight. Because of the higher voltage, Level 2 has a higher level of safety requirements than Level 1, including the requirement that the connector and cord be hardwired to the control device and premises wiring.  Therefore, you may need to hire a licensed electrician to install your charger. The electrician's labor typically costs around $500-$1,000. It can take weeks to schedule an electrician, so be sure to plan well in advance. You can visit this PlugStar webpage to find a list of electricians in the area. Also, note the length of the charging cord before you buy it to ensure it will reach from the wall to your car's port.

  

HG&E's Residential Energy Assistance Program provides financial assistance at 0% interest to help with the service upgrades, equipment costs and installation costs associated with EV charging infrastructure. Click here to read more information about this program on the program webpage. 

Questions?

Contact: efficiency@hged.com