If you’re currently considering an electric vehicle charger installation for your home’s garage, then it’s likely that you have many questions on your mind.
These are pretty significant investments and electrical projects that can totally transform your garage and everyday life, and many people have plenty of concerns while planning out these installations.
We’ve teamed up with the electrical specialists at Yoder Electric to develop this list of FAQs oriented around EV charger installation projects, so keep reading on to see if your questions are answered!
What does the EV charger installation process look like?
The first part of the EV charger installation process is getting a quote from your local electricians, which will provide you with a good idea of what you can expect from a financial standpoint.
The next part will be to confirm the charger’s location, which is usually in the customer’s garage. This is an important step, because it helps electricians to plan out wire and/or conduit installations.
Next, the customer will have to choose their charger type. Most people who set up EV charger ports in their garages will choose a Stage 2 charger, but you’ll also have Stage 1 and Stage 3 options as well.
The next part will be the actual installation job, which will entail your electrical team coming to your property and setting up your new EV charger port!
What’s are the differences between EV charging stages 1-3?
Stage 1 EV chargers are pretty small and have about a 15-amp power output. These types of chargers are often included with the purchases of electrical vehicles.
Stage 2 chargers have a 40-amp power output, and these chargers typically require a 50-amp circuit to be installed into your home’s garage.
Stage 3 chargers use a 480V DC plug charger, and this is typically used by many homeowners and commercial businesses. The higher your EV charger amperage, the faster your vehicle will be fully charged.
How much do EV chargers cost to purchase and install?
The overall costs of electric vehicle chargers and installations will vary from project to project.
If your home has an attached garage, then you can expect your actual charger to cost anywhere between $700 and $2,500, and then around $800 to $1,000 for the installation fees.
If your home has a detached garage that doesn’t already have its own electrical panel, you’re more than likely going to require an electrical trench dig to get enough output into your garage. This, of course, costs a lost more than the alternative type of EV charger installation.
Is it possible to do a DIY EV charger installation?
It’s simply not advised, because if you don’t have any experience with these types of installation projects, you could potentially commit some rather dangerous mistakes.
Some of these common DIY mistakes include:
- Getting injured while unknowingly working on a live panel or circuit
- Pulling out the wrong electrical wires
- Improperly setting up the charger, and damaging the unit (and your EV)
- Not protecting your charger unit from potential power surges
Are EV charger plugs all the exact same?
The vast majority of EV plugs/nozzles do insert into EV vehicles the exact same way, and today in 2023, North America’s EVs utilize the same type of Level 2 charging plug known as a J plug.
This means that most Level 2 chargers are all the exact same, which is why EV owners can easily charge up at any charging station throughout the country. However, the same cannot be said for Level 3 chargers, which can vary based upon vehicle specifications.
How long do EV charges take to complete?
Answering this question will depend upon the type of EV charging system you install:
- Stage 1: around 15 hours
- Stage 2: 6-8 hours
- Stage 3: less than an hour
How long will EV chargers last me?
EV chargers are always a great investment for EV owners, partly because they last so long.
Although they certainly won’t last forever, you can expect an EV charger port to last around 20-30 years.
Reach Out To The Yoder Electric Team To Learn More About Electrical Vehicle Charger Installation Projects!
The rise of EVs is only going to continue well into the future, so it makes sense for homeowners to be considering electric vehicle charger installation projects for their garages.
The above FAQs are just the tip of the iceberg in terms of everything that people often have questions about when it comes to these types of installation projects, and you can reach out to the Yoder Electric team via the link at the top of the article to speak directly with their EV charger specialists today!
