Electric vehicles are projected to grow by 12% in 2026. It’s nearly impossible to drive down the street and not encounter a few EV’s along the way. There’s over 116 million EV’s on the road globally, and 1.5 million expected to be on the road in the U.S. alone. So is a EV the right fit for you? Are you thinking about your next vehicle purchase being an electric vehicle or a hybrid? Like with everything else, there’s pro’s and con’s to electric vehicles. But if you do decide it is a good fit for you, there are some things to consider. For example, a solution to convenient charging at home. In this blog we will go over the basics of the different level EV chargers on the market. And with a little research on your own, you can make a determination which one best suits your needs.
Level 1 Charger
Most likely when you purchase your vehicle from a dealership or a 3rd party, the vehicle will come with a level 1 charger. Level 1 requires 120 Volts and can plug into most any receptacles in your home. They provide a slower charging rate of about 3–5 miles of an hour. Doing some quick math, this would essentially provide you with a 32 mile range given an 8 hour charging period. If you don’t for-see yourself driving more then 32 miles in a given day, this might be the right solution for you. On average, most Americans drive between 30-37 miles a day. If you have a quite longer commute to work, or find yourself driving more than 32 miles around town, you may want to opt for the next level charger.
Level 2 Chargers
The next level charger (level 2) requires a dedicated 240 Volt circuit from your electrical panel. This in my opinion is not a DIY project, I would definitely involve a licensed electrician.
So let’s talk numbers! A level 2 charger charges 9X faster than a level 1 charger. It’s not unusual to expect up to a charging rate of 25 miles per hour of charge. Also when upgrade to a level 2 charger, a lot of the ones on the market start offering “Smart Features”, such as bluetooth controlling through your phone. If you do find yourself driving more than the average American, this is the route I would suggest to you.
Public Use Chargers
Have you ever walked through a grocery store or outlet mall parking lot, and come across the dedicated spots for EV charging? They are definitely cool and convenient. And did you know they are one the fastest ways to charge your electric vehicle? There are even apps for your phone now that will map out where all these public charging stations are in your town.
These public use chargers can provide up to 10–20 miles of range per minute!
Whatever you decide on, Good Vibrations Electric is just one call away. We can walk you through the entire process and provide you a free estimate.
