EV Chargers
All EV charger installations require a building permit.
- 5-10 business days for review and approval.
- Electrical requirements for EV chargers can be found in the 2017 NEC article 625
- https://www.cityofsunprairie.com/DocumentCenter/View/17125/EV-Charger-Checklistpdf
Level 1: Primarily used for EV charging at home, Level 1 chargers allow you to plug your vehicle directly into an ordinary 120 V outlet. Typically included with the purchase of an EV, Level 1 chargers are usually portable and can be used for charging an EV at home or anywhere else you have a traditional wall outlet to plug into.
As the slowest charging method, Level 1 equipment will only add 3 to 5 miles of range per hour of charging a battery electric vehicle (BEV). Due to its slow charging speed, Level 1 charging is sometimes called “trickle charging.”
Level 2: Up to 20 times faster than Level 1 charging, Level 2 charging stations can fully charge most EVs in 3 to 6 hours. Powered through a residential 240 V outlet or 208 V commercial outlet, Level 2 EV charging stations are also fueled by AC (alternating current) electricity, but at higher intensities than Level 1. They can add 25 to 60 miles of range per hour to a vehicle’s battery reserve.
If you’re trying to determine how to charge a Tesla at home (or another fully battery-powered vehicle), Level 2 equipment can significantly increase the efficiency of your residential EV charging system. Level 2 charging stations are the most popular kind of equipment, and are commonly used for public EV stations at workplaces, shopping centers, and other community buildings.
Level 3: Level 3 charging stations, more commonly known as Direct Current Fast Charging (DCFC), DC fast chargers, or Superchargers (Tesla), require 480 V and are typically only found in commercial settings. Capable of filling 80% of an EV’s battery capacity in as little as 20 minutes to an hour, Level 3 charging stations are the highest-powered and most expensive charging stations available today.
Commercial EV charging station installation considerations
If you’re installing a commercial EV charging station, there are a few more factors that should be considered. Public EV charging stations use Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 chargers, and occasionally offer a mix.
Unlike a personal EV charging station, public-facing charging stations may also need to include a payment system for customers, unless the equipment is provided as a courtesy. Payment interfaces may be available as a part of an EV charging equipment purchase or installed separately based on your business model. For the safety of your equipment and customers, public charging station developers may also need to consider adding sufficient lighting and security systems onsite.
Utility and electrical system upgrades
Depending on a property's existing electricity supply, adding an EV charging station may require a residential or commercial utility customer to request a service upgrade for ongoing access to safe and reliable power. More commonly, adding one or more Level 2 EV charging stations may necessitate an electric panel upgrade to safely supply more power to a home charging station.