Electric Charging is the heart of EV vehicles. EVs are available in different colors, model but one thing is common all of them charge regularly. An EV has three charging levels- Level 1, level 2, and D.C fast-level charging.
However, Level 1 charging was discussed in an earlier blog but today’s topic of discussion is Level 2 EV Charger.EV Charger Level 2 is the second charging method of an electric vehicle at home as well as in public. It revolutionizes the arena of electric vehicles in transportation from gasoline to electric charging.
Thus in this article, ChargeEco extensively covers what is Level 2 charger, the advantages of using of Level 2 EV Charger, the cost of installing a Level 2 charger, and the future of EV level 2 charging.
What is a Level 2 EV Charger?
Level 2 electric charger helps charge your electric vehicle on one side and saves energy on the other side. EV Charger Level 2 is suitable for EV owners because it is dedicated and connected to a 240 Volt AC outlet at home and in public places. It is more faster and efficient than a level 1 charger.
In this charger type, three-pin charging is plugged into a 240-volt outlet in which 32-60 ampere current is flowing. This type of charging outlet is mostly found in open and public places like college campuses, apartment complexes, and supermarket car parking spaces.
When it comes to the nozzle then EVs are easily connected by the connector J-1772 which is built into EVs, especially in the United States. In Level 2 EV charging type in the US, comes with smart software. Softwares provides all the data regarding charging, bill of charging, and power levels.
In addition to it, level 2 charging is consuming more power output as compared to Level 1 charging. Level 2 charger system includes sophisticated features like RIRD and Open charge point protocol networking.
According to several EV car brands, 10-30 miles of range per hour of charging has been seen in the EV car space at level 2 charging. For many electric vehicle owners, it is helpful to install a Level 2 EV charger at home for an affordable amount with a qualified EV charger installer.
Benefits of Using Level 2 EV Charger
There are various advantages of using EV Charger Level 2 which are described in the forthcoming points :
Rapid Charging
The major benefit of the Level 2 EV charger is its fast-paced charging as compared to the Level 1 EV charger. If for an hour of charging level 1 gives you 5 miles of charging then level 2 EV charger gives you 20-25 miles of charging for an hour.
However, when it comes to the level 2 part of the charging if your car is in an empty charging state then it merely takes 3.5-8 hours to charge fully. Whereas, in Level 1 charging it may take 12-19 hours to fully charge your EV.
Proves Economical
Apart from fast charging it also saves money and proves economical for the EV owners. When we put a Level 2 EV charger at the time of energy-saving of electricity i.e from 7 a.m to 11 a.m and also on the weekends. Hence, it saves per unit cost on electricity bills for the EV Owners.
However, there are other programmable EV Chargers are prevalent these days that use smart technology and adjust themselves according to the utility rates. It schedules the best time for your pocket and your EV.
Convenient
For charging your vehicle most of the time you merely rely on the level 2 charging station which is easily available at any charging station. Thus, Level 2 charging is the most convenient electric vehicle method.
Therefore, if you install a level 2 charger at home in the long run you will never face the inconvenience of charging your EV.
Tax Rebates
When someone installs EV Charger level 2 at home then they can avail the tax rebates from the federal and state government. Both government-run different electric vehicles incentivize schemes for promoting electric vehicles. Therefore, it also reduced the extent of the financial burden in the installation an electric vehicles.
Level 2 EV Charging at Home vs Public Charging
Another major benefit of charging your electric vehicle at home is cost-efficient and more convenient as compared to charging your electric vehicle at public charging stations. To be more precise, home charging saves your money and eliminates frequent commutes to charging stations.
However, Level 2 Charging is useful for the kind of people who do not have access to private charging. It is suitable for the person who goes outside for some errands and can charge their EV from any public parking space, complex, superstore, etc.
These charges may vary some charges are on a subscription basis and some vendors provide them as free.
Renewables and Storage Solutions
In the level 2 charger, you can also join the renewable source of energy program offered by your electric vehicle clean energy partners. Either you may rely on a clean energy environmental program or you should make your solar renewable ecosystem for your electric vehicles.
Level 2 EVSE
Level 2 EVSE (Electric vehicle supply Management) replenishes electric cars near about 12-30 miles according to EV Companies in one hour of charge. Mostly level 2 EVSE is installed and used in the workplace home and common public charging stations.
Cost of Installing a Level 2 Charger
Some EV owners arrived at a consensus that nothing is a more convenient and saving option than EV charging at home. But how much money you should pay for the installation of a Level 2 EV Charger?
Depending on the Level of Charging
According to the HomeAdvisor generally, a user spends $800 to $1800 on the installation of an EV charger at home. The cost of installing a Level 2 charger depends on various parameters like which level of charger is used, how much is spent on the installation costs, and what safety measures are required for installing a Level 2 EV Charger.
Type of Connector
Level 2 EV charger is an affordable and easy home-use charger. You can easily install it by a professional in your parking space or garage. The cost of installing a level 2 charger also depends on which type of connector you are using.
However, when a level 2 EV charger is installed at home it needs connectors that come in two forms- plugged-in and hardwired connectors. Plugged-in connectors are easily available in the laundry room lawn and garage. If it is not found in these places then you can contact your certified electricians.
The major advantage of plugged-in connectors is they are easily removed, and placed anywhere and they can be connected quickly and conveniently. But you will have to pay approximately $2000 for the plugged-in connector.
Another connector is a hardwired connector which is easily connected to the home wiring. On the other hand, hardwired is mostly used for the outdoor charging an electric vehicles. Its cost is less than the plugged-in connector. It would be somewhere around $1800.
Location for Installation
Another factor for the cost of installing a level 2 charger is Location. Installing a charger, and location also plays a crucial part. When it comes to home installation then two options are available- internal and external installation.
From a safety and weatherproof point of view, internal installation sounds good as compared to external installation of a charging point like a parking space or in a garage. Whereas, when it comes to the cost then, internal installation proves economical.
Other Cost to Install 240 Volt Charger
The cost of installing a level 2 charger also depends upon other factors. Labor costs also vary, depending on the installation complexion, wiring and charging infrastructure, and mounting. Level 2 EV Charger amounts somewhere around $1500 to $2000.
It varies according to complexion, timing, and levels of charging the best epitome for this is sometimes DC fast charging labor cost would be around $60000. It cost also varies due to permit and electric work and the brand of chargers as well.
One additional tip is that landowners should also avail themselves of the tax credits given by state and federal governments for subsidy.
Future of Level 2 EV Charger
EV Charger Level 2 is playing a beneficial role in the life of electric vehicle batteries. With increasing use and rapid awareness installation of EV level 2 chargers rises in the upcoming future. It also proves more economical during off-peak hours. However, due to such things, the battery life of an electric vehicle especially with Level 2 EV chargers will become healthier in the long term.
Bottom Line
In the end, the Level 2 EV Charger revolutionized the EV Charging Infrastructure space. As the EV spreads more and more people adopt it shortly due to its various benefits and its efficient installation cost. Thus, the government, utility entities, and EV companies made a cleaner and more sustainable future for EV owners.
FAQ’s
How many AMPS is a level 2 EV charger?
Level 2 EV Charger amperage when it comes to AMPS its range is 15-80.
Is the level 2 charger the same as 240 volts?
Yes, the Level 2 Charger is the same as 240 Volts because it uses a 240 Volt outlet when it comes to charging an electric vehicle.
How much faster is a level 2 EV charger?
Level 2 charging rate is 8-10 times quicker and faster as compared to the Level 1 charger. In Level 1 charging vehicle runs near about 3-5 miles but in Level 2 charger would be near about 30-40 miles.
How many kW is level 2 charging?
It takes nearly 19.3 KWh in North America but in Europe, it takes around 22KWh.
Is it worth installing a level 2 charger at home?
Yes, due to the easy accessibility, convenience, and cost of installing a level 2 charger is worthwhile at home.
Is Level 2 charging bad for battery?
Generally level 2 charging is safe for batteries but there are some potential risks like heating of the batteries, battery degradation, and the safety risks are also associated if you don’t compliance your charging with manufacturer guidelines.
