Why a Level 2 Home Electric Vehicle Charger Could Be Right For You
You bought the perfect electric car for you and your family, but the Level 1 charger your car came with just isn’t doing the trick. Charging is frustrating as it seemingly takes forever.
Here’s where a Level 2 Home Electric Vehicle (EV) Charger comes in. The faster charging capabilities of a Level 2 mean it’s easier to get where you want to go.
Let’s take a look at four benefits of installing a Level 2 EV Charger at your home.
1. Charge Faster
By far, the biggest benefit of a Level 2 home EV charger is its charging speed capabilities. We’ve already mentioned it’s faster than a Level 1, but just how fast is it?
A Level 2 charges at least five times faster than a Level 1. For every hour of charging, a Level 1 gets you three to five miles of range, whereas a Level 2 offers you over 20 miles.
With a Level 2 charger, your car goes from empty to fully charged in just 3-8 hours, while a Level 1 charger takes 11-20 hours to do the same. With a Level 2, your car can reliably charge overnight while you’re asleep.
Aside from the time commitment, why is this important?
2. Save Money
Did you know that electricity costs less at certain times of the day? For example, DTE charges less on weekdays from midnight to 7 a.m. and also on the weekends. This means that you’ll be able to take advantage of those savings while your car charges at night.
Not only that, but many chargers are programmable, so you can schedule your charging for specific times that give you the most in cost savings. Some Level 2 chargers even use smart technology to integrate with utility rate schedules and automatically schedule the best times for you.
3. More Convenient
The majority of public charging stations are equipped with Level 2 chargers. If you currently have a Level 1, you’ve probably had to rely on a public charging station those times that you’ve needed to charge quickly.
Having a Level 2 installed at your own home means you don’t have to deal with the inconvenience of traveling somewhere else to charge. Instead, you have one right at home at all times.
4. Tax Incentives and Rebates
Installing a Level 2 charger means you may qualify for some helpful tax incentives and rebates. So make sure to find out what’s offered on both the federal and state level. This can certainly help balance some of the cost of your new investment.
For starters, check out the Qualified Plug-In Electric Drive Motor Vehicle Credit and the Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Property Credit. You might also qualify for a rebate through DTE’s Home EV Charger Rebate Program. Keep your eye on tax credits for homeowners with energy star appliances as well!
Electrical Requirements for a Level 2
Adding a Level 2 charger means adding a new major appliance to your home. A Level 1 charger simply plugs into a 120-volt standard outlet. A Level 2, like an oven, dryer, hot tub or other large appliance, requires a professionally installed 240-volt outlet on a dedicated circuit.
Additionally, a licensed electrician will be able to assess whether your home’s electrical panel can handle the additional load. A 200-amp panel is optimal for a Level 2 charger, so if your home only has a 100-amp panel, you’ll need to also upgrade your electrical panel.
Certified Electrician
A Level 2 Charger must be installed by a highly-trained and licensed electrician. Make sure your electrician is EVITP certified. Find an electrician who can get the job done right here!
For further information on Level 2 Electric Vehicle Chargers, watch our video.