Introduction
You're driving around, and you realize that you have no more power. You're out of luck if you run out of juice while you're on the road because there are no charging stations available to use. If only there were a way to make sure your car always had enough juice.
Level 1/ Home Charging equipment
The cost of level 1 equipment is the lowest, with prices ranging from $500-$1000. The average station will charge at a maximum of 7 miles per hour, which means that it's not meant for long-distance travel but rather for quick trips around town or work.
Assuming you have a garage and/or access to the power grid, charging electric car at home is the most convenient and cost effective way to recharge an EV. It costs about $10.50 for keeping your car fully charged . Called Level 1 charging, it takes between 8 to 24 hours to obtain a full charge, using a basic 110-volt charging unit which plugs into a standard electric outlet. However, spending around $250-$400 to have an electrician installing 240-volt lines in your garage will take advantage of Level 2 charging which can restore a drained battery in as little as four hours. The electric vehicle service equipment (EVSE) will be also needed as an external Level 2 charging unit, which can cost between $300 and $1200. The cost of electricity is much more stable than the price of gasoline. Be aware to check the electricity supplier and the plan you use in your area.
Level 2 equipment
When you're deciding on a charging station, it's important to consider the cost of your level 2 equipment. Level 2 chargers are more expensive than level 1 because they can charge a car in half the time as a comparable level 1 unit. In addition, they're also more efficient and designed with environmental concerns in mind.
Level 2 public charging is often called as a destination charging. It is a great solution, if you plan to stay at your ‘destination’ for several hours. The costs of charging your electric car at a public charging station can differ depending on the station’s owner. Some Level 2 public charging places are free-to-use, while other stations are pay-per-use, charging a fee, such as a start rate, a rate per minute and/or a kWh-rate. The average cost for pay-per-use is $1.00/Hour or $2.50/Charge. Typically, public charging stations charge $0.11 to $0.15 per kilowatt-hour or $2 to $8 for a complete fill up. You will find units installed in areas where there is a higher concentration of electric vehicles, retailed parking lots, public parking garages, and near larger cities. You can either use a credit card being on a pay-as-you-go basis, or through an account with a charging network.
Level 3 Equipment
The cost of level 3 equipment depends on the speed you need and the number of outlets. Level 3 chargers are typically more expensive than level 2 chargers, but they can also be used in conjunction with each other to provide multiple charging stations for your vehicle.
1 Hour of Charge - 250 km of Driving Range.
A far quicker, upgraded alternative of standard Level 2 public charger is Level 3 public charging station, also known as DC Fast Charging (DCFC). It brings a given electric vehicle’s battery up to 80% of its capacity in around 30 to 45 minutes. Most Level 3 charging stations are pay-per-use and most of them bill by the minute for an average cost of $15/Hour. It is available near metropolitan areas. Unfortunately, Level 3 charging is the costliest, while it is the fastest way to charge an electric vehicle.
Location, Demands and Other Factors
Location and demand are key factors to consider when charging station placement. The best places for a charging station are often near an office building or other high-traffic areas that need frequent use of their vehicles and have plenty of open parking spaces available. This can help reduce maintenance costs as well as provide customers with more convenient access points.
Other factors that may influence your decision on where you place your charger include:
How many electric cars there are in the area
How much room exists on public streets (or roads) for parking spaces
Charging cost also depends on the type of car you are using. Electric Cars are not created equal, for some it hasa bigger battery capacity. The larger the battery the bigger capacity it will hold.
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