The Cost Ranges for Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 Electric Vehicle Home Charging Stations Explained
EV cars, or electric vehicles as they are commonly called, are a great way to save money and cut down on pollution at the same time.
An EV runs off of an electric battery that can be charged either in your home or via commercial charging stations, though many people want more than just Level 1 chargers because it takes hours for them to charge up.
The costs for charging stations varies from less than $1,000 to more than $4,500. The average cost is around 1,200 dollars and most people pay this amount or a little higher depending on their needs.
A low-cost option would be a replacement Level 1 charger that runs an existing 120 volt outlet while the high-end of chargers are designed for 2 cars with 240 volts outlets as well as circuit panel upgrades.
Home Electric Vehicle Charging Station Cost by Project Range
There are various types of EV charging stations for purchase to suit the needs and budgets of everyone.
Level 1 Charger: The Low Cost option is a replacement Level 1 charger that can be used with an existing 120-volt outlet in your home or office and cost around $300. Average cost ranges from $1,200-$2,500 depending on how many outlets you want replaced. This is a Level 2 charger with a 240-volt outlet and wall mounting. High cost starts at around $4,000 for a single 240-volt pedestal mount installation with options going up from there based on circuit panel upgrades required by your area’s power company regulation requirements.
What Is An Electric Vehicle Charging Station?
Electric vehicles run off a rechargeable battery, rather than gasoline or oil. Your battery needs to be recharged, ideally when your car is not in use. To do this, you need an electric vehicle charging station that essentially plugs into the outlet and charges up your EV’s batteries; it can come as either an at-home installation (about 80% of them) or public space installation depending on what suits you best.
Level One Charging Level Cost
Level 1 chargers are usually free with your car purchase or can be purchased for around $300. They plug into any 120-volt outlet and take up to 24 hours, but they allow you an extra 2-5 miles of driving range on top of what is available in the vehicle’s battery alone.
Some people keep these level plugs at home when not using their cars while others use them sparingly as a backup system if need be – Level 1 chargers will only work well if you have access to electric outlets where ever you go!
Level Two Charging Level Cost
Level 2 charging stations are the most popular choice for EV owners, at an average price of between $300 – $1200.
Level 1 chargers take days, and basic Level 2 models can charge a battery 4 to 6 times faster than this type of charger. They require 240-volt outlets and come with features like Wi-Fi or other addons so you can customize your experience.
Level Three Charging Station Cost
The different levels of charging stations are not all the same. Level 3 chargers can charge a car in under an hour but require 480 volts which most homes don’t have available for them.
Level 2 chargers will take longer to charge your battery – around 4 hours – but they only need 240 volts and you might already have this at home. If so it’s time to switch over from gas or diesel engines because these types of cars emit fewer emissions than traditional ones do.
- Charging station and hardware ranges from $12,000 to $35,000
- Commercial use only; not sold for residential purpose
- Can charge many vehicles at once; can’t be used for home charging stations (requires 480-volts)
It’s quite likely that a second panel would need to be installed for the station’s use alone. Looking at the needs of the majority of people, a Level 2 charger would give a full charge in an amount of time to satisfy even the busiest family.