Workplace owners have a number of factors to consider before deciding which level of station to add to their workplace.
- How much do charging stations cost?
- How much power does the charging station provide? How long will it take to charge?
- What are the needs of my employees and customers?
EV charging stations usually consist of three primary levels: Level 1 charging stations, Level 2 charging stations, and Level 3 charging stations, or Direct Current Fast Chargers (DCFC).
Level 1 Charging Stations
Level 1 chargers can take as much as 20 hours to fully charge a vehicle. Furthermore, these chargers deliver between two-to-five miles of range for each hour of charging.
So although Level 1 charging stations are the cheapest option, they take a very long time to charge a car’s battery. Because of this, Level 1 chargers are usually purchased by homeowners who can leave their car to charge overnight.
Level 2 Charging Stations
Workplace owners should take into consideration that Level 2 charging stations provide between 10-to-60 miles of range per hour of charging and can use a 240-volt plug for residential use or a 208-volt plug for commercial use. These chargers require installation from an electrician, and cannot be plugged into a standard wall outlet like the Level 1 charger.
With the capacity to charge the battery in just two hours, Level 2 chargers remain the most attractive charging station option for companies that want to provide efficient charging stations to customers. Level 2 charging stations can be paired with a solar panel system to save even more money and further reduce your carbon footprint.
Level 3 Charging Stations
DC fast chargers, or Level 3 charging stations, can provide an electric vehicle anywhere between 60-to-100 miles of range in just 20 minutes of charging. With that much power, these chargers are the most expensive out of the three levels. DCFC charging stations are highly desirable in public locations near traffic corridors. Specialized or industrial workplaces may benefit from a Level 3 station as well.
However, not all electric cars can use a Level 3 charging station due to its high capacity. This may mean losing customers who own electric cars but do not have the correct make and model.
Four Key Factors To Consider Before Installing An EV Charging Station
You should have a decent idea as to the level of EV charging stations you should install to best suit your workplace. But there are still things that you need to know about that will directly affect the success of your EV charging station.
Electric Vehicle Charging Sign beside Animated Car
Signage
An electric car station isn’t much use if nobody knows about it. Signage is essential to attracting and directing potential customers who drive EVs to your station.
You can use anything from arrows, designated carports, canopies, and banners, all of which can direct people towards your EV charging stations. Many EV incentives will require proper signage.
Mounting
Have you thought about what kind of mounting you need for your EV charging station installation project?
Pedestal mounts are suitable for open parking spaces. These mounts provide customers and users with direct access to charging equipment.
What if your parking lot has limited space?
There are wall-mounted types of equipment that are best suited for areas with confined spaces such as small parking lots or parking garages.
Shelter and Lighting
While shelter and lighting aren’t necessary in every situation, they make customers feel more comfortable charging their vehicles at night. With a small sheltered area overhead, customers can enjoy additional safety from weather elements as they charge up and get back on the road. Especially with Level 3 charging stations, incentive programs may require you to provide 24/7 lighting.
Installation Costs
After you’ve assessed how much your level of charging station costs, you need to consider how much installing them will cost. Your expenses will vary depending on the existing electrical infrastructure in your parking lot, and whether or not you can offset costs with incentives. EV Connect can help provide resources on these questions:
- How much does it usually cost to install an EV charging station?
- How can you minimize those installation costs?
Contact EV Connect Today
When you provide EV charging stations, you can draw in new customers who support energy-efficient (and expensive) products. The more EV-driving customers frequent your company, the more money you can make (and save) either directly from product engagement or from your charging capabilities.
EV Connect specializes in installing charging stations at all levels for your workplace. For more information on how to customize EV charging stations to fit your workplace, contact EV Connect for a free quote.
The post What Your Workplace Needs to Know About The Different Levels of Electric Car Stations appeared first on EV Connect.
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