Is upgrading right for you?
You’re thrilled with your new electric car, but less so with the Level 1 charger that came with it. Charging is frustrating and time consuming.
You might just be ready to upgrade to a Level 2 home electric vehicle (EV) charger. A Level 2 has much faster charging capabilities, making charging your car fast and simple. Let’s take a closer look at this and some of the other benefits.
Four Benefits of a Level 2 Home EV Charger
1. Faster Charging
The charging speed capability of a Level 2 home EV charger is its biggest benefit, and what sets it apart the most. So just how fast is it?
For every hour of charging, a Level 1 gets you three to five miles of range, but a Level 2 gets you over 20 miles. This means a Level 2 charges at least five times faster than a Level 1!
A Level 2 means you can reliably charge your car overnight while you sleep. That’s because with a Level 2 charger, your car goes from empty to fully charged in just 3-8 hours, while a Level 1 charger takes 11-20 hours to do the same.
2. Money Saving
Aside from the time savings, the ability to charge quickly also saves money. Electricity costs less at certain times of the day. DTE charges less on weekdays from midnight to 7 a.m. and also on the weekends. Therefore, you’ll be able to utilize those savings while your car charges at night.
Additionally, many chargers are programmable, so you can schedule your charging for the specific times that you know will give you the most savings. There are also some Level 2 chargers on the market that use smart technology to integrate with utility rate schedules and automatically schedule the best times for you and your pocketbook.
3. Convenience
Most public charging stations have Level 2 chargers. Even if you currently have a Level 1, you’ve probably had times that you’ve needed to rely on public charging stations in order to charge quickly.
If you have a Level 2 installed right at your own home, this means no more needing to deal with the inconvenience of going somewhere else to charge. Instead, you have one right at home at all times, so you can charge quickly and conveniently.
4. Tax Incentives and Rebates
Having a Level 2 charger at your home also means that you could qualify for some helpful tax incentives and rebates. Don’t forget to find out what’s offered on both the federal and state level to help balance some of the cost of your new investment.
Check out the Qualified Plug-In Electric Drive Motor Vehicle Credit and the Alternative Fuel Vehicle Refueling Property Credit. You might also qualify for a rebate through DTE’s Home EV Charger Rebate Program. Keep your eye on tax credits for homeowners with energy star appliances as well!
What Does Your Home Require for a Level 2?
Of course, there are some electrical requirements for adding a Level 2 to your home. Incorporating a Level 2 charger is much like adding a new major appliance. With a Level 1 charger, you simply plug it into a standard 120-volt outlet. A Level 2 on the other hand, just like an oven, dryer, hot tub or other large appliance, requires a professionally installed 240-volt outlet on a dedicated circuit.
Further, a licensed electrician will be able to evaluate whether your home’s electrical panel can handle the additional load needed for a Level 2. A 200-amp panel is the best choice for a Level 2 charger, so if your home only has a 100-amp panel, you’ll need to upgrade your electrical panel.
Certified Electrician is a Must
Finally, a Level 2 charger must be installed by a licensed electrician – ideally one who is also EVITP certified. Our electricians are trained, certified and ready to upgrade you to a Level 2 home EV charger. Contact us today!
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