The production of electric cars is ramping up thanks to consumer clamor and government support all over the world. Everyone is keen to pursue solutions to global warming and making changes to transportation is a vital part of the puzzle. Other benefits such as reduced air pollutants, lower repair costs, periodic tech updates, and a farewell to gasoline are attracting people as well. However, electric vehicles do require periodic charging of their batteries to run. This calls for electric car charging stations.
Power Rating
Manufacturers will typically send out their EVs with a basic Level 1 charging station to get people going. These can plug into wall outlets and deliver roughly four to five miles of travel distance per hour. This might not be enough if your office is far away even if you charge overnight. Many will want to upgrade to a Level 2 charger to get 20 to 40 miles of travel distance per hour. These are rated between 20 to 40 amps with higher being better.
Location
Consider where you park your car and where your nearest wall socket is. Not everyone will have an closed garage that can protect the charging station from rain, snow, and other potential problems. If charging outdoors, then you need to find ways to protect the plug and circuits such as using enclosures that are fit for weatherproofing. Look for NEMA 3 and 4 rated outlets for this. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.
Portability
Some electric car charging stations are meant to stay put in a fixed location. Others are portable so you can take them with you to different locations to charge the car wherever you are. The latter is particularly ideal for people who might have two homes and alternate between them frequently. For example, some workers live alone near their offices during the weekdays and come back to the family home during the weekends.
Cable Length
Consider the distance between the outlet and the car as well. The cable may need to go around walls so you need to account for the obstacles along the path. You might also consider that the car may sometimes not be in your ideal parking position. Longer wires will make things more expensive but the premium may be worth paying for if this gives you convenience and peace of mind that your car will always be within reach of an outlet.
