With Denver’s goal of 30% electric vehicles on the road by 2030, more homeowners are installing level 2 chargers. These are the most efficient EV chargers available and make it easy to fully charge your electric vehicle on your schedule.
When you choose Applewood for your Denver EV charger installation, we ensure your home has the right electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) to power your vehicle adequately. This includes adding a 240-watt Nema 14-50 plug to supply the right power and a J1772 connector or similar charging interface to connect with your vehicle.
We also evaluate your home’s electrical system to ensure it can charge your car while safely maintaining the power needed to meet your family’s other needs.
When choosing your EV home charger, consider these factors so that both your home and your vehicle are properly supplied with power:
- Cost. What is your budget?
- Ability. Do you need to hire a professional?
- Charging time. How quickly do you want to charge your vehicle?
- Home electric panel. Does it support your power needs?
- Home power use. How much electricity do you use monthly?
- Driving distance. How far do you need to go?
- Driving frequency. How often do you use your vehicle?
- Car battery size. Smaller batteries should be filled daily.
- Number of electric vehicles in your household. Multiple may require faster charging.
Level 1 EV Charger Installation
A level 1 EVSE charging station charges your vehicle using a standard 120-volt AC plug. This is the same current used in your home to power electronics and most appliances.
- Pros: This is a simple and inexpensive solution. Level 1 chargers use the existing amperage in your home. An electrician would simply route a dedicated circuit for your EV home station. 120 volts will charge most electric vehicles.
- Cons: These types of chargers have slower charging times. It may take upwards of 30 hours to charge your vehicle fully. This may be sufficient if you don’t drive every day or have a short commute. With an 8-hour overnight charge, you should be able to drive about 40 miles.
Level 2 EV Charger Installation
Level 2 EVSE chargers charge your vehicle using a 240-volt plug, similar to a home dryer or electric range plug. Some homes already have 240-volt circuits built in, while older homes may need an electric panel upgrade. Either way, you’ll need a certified electrician to install a level 2 charger.
- Pros: Level 2 chargers have faster charge times and are a greater convenience. A level two charger fully charges your vehicle in a matter of hours and adds about 10-60 miles of driving time per hour of charging.
- Cons: This type of charger requires a special setup at an additional cost, as you may need to upgrade your home’s electrical system.
