EVs come equipped with cords and equipment that allow them to be plugged into conventional 120-volt outlets that are standard in your home or garage. However, EV owners can also purchase advanced, Level 2 chargers that will cut charging time in half. When considering home charging options, please consult with a licensed electrician as modifications to your home's electrical wiring will likely be needed.
EVs can also be charge at public stations currently being installed across the country, including in Bloomington-Normal. For more information visit Public Charging.
EVs can also be charge at public stations currently being installed across the country, including in Bloomington-Normal. For more information visit Public Charging.
The first step is to have a licensed electrician perform an assessment at your home. They will be able to identify the scope of work needed to accommodate the charging equipment. In extreme cases, an electric service upgrade to your home may be required. In that case, your utility company may have to perform work required to supply the additional electric load. Your licensed electrician should be able to identify this problem and can work with the utility company to provide the service upgrade needed.
Exact costs will depend on your home's existing wiring. Generally speaking, EV owners who wish to use an existing conventional outlet (Level 1) should expect some expense to place that outlet on a dedicated circuit. This may run several hundred dollars or more depending on your home's existing electric infrastructure.
Owners wanting to install a Level 2 charger should expect to pay $1,500 or more for equipment and installation. Price will depend on the charging station model selected and the electric work needed to install the station at your home.
Owners wanting to install a Level 2 charger should expect to pay $1,500 or more for equipment and installation. Price will depend on the charging station model selected and the electric work needed to install the station at your home.
Charging time depends on both the type of charge used and the vehicle. For completely empty batteries using a common 120-volt outlet (Level 1), an owner can expect a full charge in 8-12 hours. With a 240-volt outlet and a Level 2 charging station, an owner can expect to fully charge a battery in 4-6 hours. A Level 3 "Quick Charge" station can charge a fully depleted battery up to 80% fully charged in less than 30 minutes.
You can contact a licensed electrician who can assist with the selection and installation of charging equipment. You can also contact local electrical supply companies and charging station dealers. A list of those companies is available on the Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) Dealers page. If you are purchasing an EV, the automotive dealership will also likely have information on charging equipment.
The public charging stations can be outfitted with payment acceptors that require a fee before charging can take place. However, there is an additional cost to adding this feature to the charging stations. Similarly, there is an added installation cost, as well as ongoing maintenance fees associated with networking the charging stations to a communications system that supports payment collection. These extra costs are projected to far exceed the cost of providing free charging to the relatively small number of electric vehicles that are expected in the community over the next few years. As supply of EVs expand, it is expected that these public charging stations will eventually require an access fee.
