Electric Vehicle Charging in Cleveland, OH
For quite some time now, humankind has been on a mission to preserve the planet for future generations. Several measures are being taken to achieve that collective goal. People are becoming ever more conscious of the nonrenewable resources they’re consuming and taking steps to be more conservative. That means being less wasteful, recycling, and reducing dependence on fossil fuels among other efforts.
While several advancements have come to light since the beginning of this development, electric vehicles are gaining quite a bit of attention. Many manufacturers have created their own versions of hybrid and all-electric vehicles, and the selection will continue to grow moving forward. That gives people who want to cut their ties to the fuel pumps plenty of options to choose from.
Helping Cleveland Homeowners Make the Most of Electric Vehicles
At HomeTown Electrical Doctor, we want to help Cleveland homeowners make the most of all the benefits electric vehicles have to offer. That means ensuring they’re able to charge their EVs while they’re at home. Our team provides expert Electrical Services to meet the needs of all our clients, including EV charger installation, maintenance, and repairs. If you’ve recently purchased an electric vehicle or are thinking about doing so, feel free to contact us to schedule an estimate or service appointment.
Looking at the Different EV Charging Options
More than 6.5 million electric vehicles were sold worldwide last year alone according to a recent write-up from the International Energy Agency. That’s more than twice the number sold the previous year. While the market for other types of vehicles was dwindling, people were showing a growing interest in EVs. Analysts expect EV sales to continue to soar moving forward.
That said, the ongoing surge in electric vehicle ownership has led to a growing need for charging stations. Those vehicles need to be plugged into power sources to keep their batteries charged so they can get their owners where they need to go. Three types of EV chargers are available right now.
Level 1 Chargers
Level 1 chargers come with every electric vehicle. They’re essentially power cords that plug into standard 120-volt electrical outlets, the same outlets you’d plug a laptop, television, or vacuum into. Simply plug one end of the charger cord into an outlet and the other end into the vehicle.
Charging times vary based on the type of EV in question and other factors. In general, though, Level 1 chargers take about 20 hours to give EVs enough power to run for 120 miles or so. These are the least expensive EV charging options, but they’re also the slowest.
Level 2 Chargers
Level 2 chargers are purchased separately from EVs as opposed to being standard equipment. As is the case with Level 1 chargers, their exact charging times may vary. Still, they charge EV batteries a great deal faster than their basic counterparts. In some cases, they can generate a full charge 5 times faster or more than Level 1 chargers.
While level 2 chargers are more expensive than Level 1 versions, people who have long commutes to and from work or do a great deal of driving each day are strongly advised to choose the former. These chargers don’t plug into standard outlets, though. They should be installed by professional electricians for optimal safety and effectiveness.
Level 3 Chargers
Level 3 EV charging stations aren’t designed for home installation. They’re the ones you’d see around businesses, along alternative fuels corridors, and in other public spaces. They can charge vehicles in as little as half an hour in some cases.
Professional EV Charger Services for Cleveland Homeowners
We offer electrical vehicle charging services to meet your unique needs. As mentioned, professional installation is required for Level 2 chargers because they don’t work with standard 120-volt outlets. We can install your Level 2 charger and make any necessary upgrades to your home’s electrical system to ensure it operates safely and efficiently.
If you plan to use a Level 1 charger that can be plugged into a conventional outlet, contacting an electrician is still advisable. We can inspect your electrical panel and the outlet you’ll be using to charge your EV to ensure they’re capable of handling the extra load. If you don’t have an accessible outlet in your garage to charge your EV, we can install one.
Keeping Your Electric Vehicle Up and Running
We’re proud to do our part to help Cleveland homeowners take full advantage of electric vehicles. Our team is here to handle all your EV charger installation, maintenance, and repair needs. Contact us and let us know how we can help. You’ll see for yourself why so many people choose us for their electrical services.