EV Charging Stations: Types and Installation Cost

Electric cars, electric trucks, and plug-in hybrids can all be recharged at an electric vehicle charging station. When it comes to EV chargers, there are AC chargers and DC chargers. Considering the connectivity of EV charging stations, there are networked and non-networked EV charging stations. 

The residential charging stations are ideal for 120-volt outlets. For commercial and industrial applications, EV business charging stations are installed. At present, one can find numerous reliable EV charger manufacturers that are actively producing EV charging systems. 

What Are Different Types Of EV Charging Stations? 

There are three different types of levels of EV charging, such as Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 EV chargers. Each charging level describes how quickly an EV charger can recharge an electric vehicle’s battery.

Level 1 Electric Vehicle Charging Stations – Ideal For Residential Use 

The Level 1 EV charging stations plug into a typical wall socket using a 120V AC plug. There is no installation or additional hardware needed for these chargers. The Level 1 electric vehicle chargers are common for residential use. 

They are the least expensive charging stations accessible in the present market. However, they also take the longest to fully charge the battery in your automobile. These types of chargers are frequently used by vehicle owners to charge their automobiles overnight.

Level 2 Electric Vehicle Charging Stations – Ideal For Both Commercial And Residential Uses

The Level 2 EV charging stations are ideal for both residential and commercial purposes to refuel the automobile. They are ideal for companies that want to provide rapid charging to their clients and to homeowners who need quick charging stations.

The Level 2 EV chargers must go through a suitable installation procedure, which must be carried out by a licensed electrician. They can be mounted as a component of a solar panel system. Moreover, these chargers have an hourly charging capacity of 10 to 60 miles of range and a car battery can be completely charged in under two hours.

Level 3 Electric Vehicle Charging Stations – Ideal For Commercial Use  

The Level 3 EV charging stations are sometimes referred to as DC fast chargers. These charging stations, which are equipped with CCS2 or CHAdeMO interfaces, can extend the span of your electric vehicle by up to 100 miles with just 30 to 40 minutes of charging. Nevertheless, it is vital to remember that DC rapid chargers are often only applied in commercial and industrial settings.

Highly technical equipment is essential for the installation and maintenance of these DC charging stations. In addition, these Level 3 chargers are not compatible with charging all-electric vehicles. Some all-electric vehicles can not be charged with a DC fast charger, and numerous plug-in hybrid EVs lack this charging capability.

What to Know About the Cost of Residential and Commercial EV Charging Stations

The cost of the EV charging stations is different considering their power level. For a specific 120-volt circuit, level 1 chargers, often known as household chargers, cost roughly $600. Level 3, or direct current fast charge, is the biggest type of commercial EV charging station. A vehicle can be charged at level 3 stations using a 480-volt direct current in about 60 minutes. For one port, level 3 stations cost about $40,000.

The majority of commercial establishments prefer to install level two charging stations because they offer a balance between power and affordability and operate on 240-volt power. A level 2 electric vehicle charging station can charge two automobiles at once in around 8 hours, and the price is about $2,500 to $3000 for a non-public model and over $5,500 for a public double-port station.

What Are the Factors That Affect the Installation Cost of EV Charging Stations 

The buying price of an EV charging station will vary depending on aspects like power rating, charger level, and other functions. However, the installation cost of EV charging stations is based on several factors, which are listed below. 

Approval Expenses 

The majority of residential and commercial charging station installations necessitate a permit from the local government. These licenses guarantee compliance with the electrical code for your safety and the safety of your property. A permit is mandatorily needed for the higher voltage electrical work as EV users prefer to install a Level 2 charger instead of the Level 1 (120-volt) charger. Although the price may differ from one place to another location, you should prepare a budget of about $150 for approval.

Soft Expenses 

Soft costs for EV charging stations typically comprise the access fee as well as additional costs needed to make the location suitable for the installation. Parking spaces with charging outlets, signaling, charger logos, parking space protection bollards, and other expenses are soft expenditures. Overall, the soft costs are likely to account for up to 5% of the total expenses.

Material Expenses 

Electrical supplies are an additional expense to take into account when establishing an EV charging station. If there is not a spare 240V outlet close to the installation location, the electrician will have to create a new circuit. The outlet, cable, and circuit breaker make up the bulk of an electrical circuit. Together, these parts make it possible for electricity to securely pass from the wall through the charger to the electric vehicle. 

The increased electrical capacity of the property and the distance between the installation location and the electrical panel both have a significant role in this expense. In other cases, extra materials or parts can be needed, such as a bigger electrical panel or conduit. In total, $200 to $800 would be a broad price range for the electrical materials. 

Infrastructure Expenses

Through the connection to the utility company, an EV charging station provides electricity to automobiles. However, it should be noted that these electrical conduits could need to be upgraded, and the price for that varies from $12,000 and $15,000 on average. Expenses associated with EV charging stations are mostly influenced by infrastructure. For example, it might be less expensive to connect to an existing 240-volt circuit. However, the expense to establish a dedicated 480-volt circuit might be more expensive. 

Labor Expenses

When installing a charging station, another cost-related aspect is the labor or the electrician. It is typically preferable to obtain a minimum of three comprehensive bids when planning to hire an electrician and base your decision as per their expertise, insurance, and reviews. The electrician’s expenses range between $300 and $1,500, based on the scope of the project and the city. 

Software Expenses 

Utilities need the installation of network subscriptions along with the net metering system software at EV charging stations in order to offer monitoring, safety, and data calculation for the location. The expense of the electric vehicle charging stations related to software can be around $300 per year.

Power Management Expenses 

The EV charging stations will be more efficient because of a number of additional hardware and software capabilities called power management. The expense of an EV with a power management system is between $4,000 and $5,000. It raises the price of installing EV chargers but can decrease power losses, lower running expenses, and boost energy usage efficiency. 

Maintenance Expenses 

Coming to the maintenance of the EV charging stations, one can expect to pay anywhere between $3500 to $5000. However, for the DC charging stations, the maintenance expenses will be relatively higher than this price range. 

For more detailed information on maintaining EV chargers, including best practices and cost-saving tips, check out our related post on [EV Charger and Charging Station Maintenance Insights].

How to Profit from EV Charging Stations?

Charging users for utilizing the EV charging station is the simplest approach to get profits from EV charging stations. When the charging level of their EV vehicle is relatively low, users are ready to pay more and use the charging stations. 

While some clients may prefer a slower overnight charge, others would want a quick charge for their electric vehicles. It is possible to accommodate all types of consumers at the station by providing both charging options. Operators of EV charging stations must provide distinctive features or services to draw users. For instance, many charging stations are providing membership plans that offer bargains on charging expenses. A few also provide amenities like free Wi-Fi, beverages, and so on. 

Additionally, EV charging stations practically put your company on the map. Interactive maps on well-known navigational websites like Google Maps, as well as charging-specific apps, let users find local public EV charging stations. You can increase your brand’s visibility on these portals and draw in new clients by installing charging stations at your location. So, make sure to get the charging stations from a well-known EV charger manufacturer so they will last for a long time. 

Additionally, you can significantly enhance your company’s reputation as a contributor to a sustainable future by using customized EV charging stations that feature your brand’s colors or logo. In addition, you can promote your company as an environmentally responsible one by installing charging stations on your property. You might even be able to secure sustainability credentials. 

For a deeper understanding of the benefits and strategies for investing in EV charging stations, you can read our related post on [Why and How to Invest in EV Charging Stations].

Conclusion 

Over the past ten years, the heightened appeal of sustainable transportation led to the growth of electric vehicles, which in turn increased the number of EV charging stations. As electric vehicles are reducing CO2 emissions, numerous governments are offering financial incentives for electric vehicle owners and EV charging station owners. 

Whether to acquire residential EV charging stations or commercial EV charging stations, it is best to contact BENY to buy them at a reasonable price. The EV chargers manufactured by BENY are of the highest quality and come with a minimum warranty of 3 years.