How Can You Know Which Charging Station Is Right for You?
Making the choice to purchase an electric vehicle charging station can be difficult enough. But then you discover there are more choices to make: Should you go with a Level 2 or a Level 3 charging station? What’s the difference? How can you know which is the best fit for your situation?
Let’s break it down for you.
First, charging stations actually come in three levels. But Level 1 basically means plugging into a wall outlet. It’s convenient and inexpensive for homeowners, but also less powerful than Level 2 or 3, and therefore much slower. That’s not what your customers, clients, members, tenants or staff want.
If you’re operating a business or public-facing establishment of any kind, you’re looking at a Level 2 or Level 3 charging station.
So, let’s examine both.
Features of a Level 2 Charging Station
A Level 2 charging station is the most common option, and for some good reasons.
- It features charging times ten times faster than a Level 1 charger!
- It’s more expensive than a Level 1 charger, but still relatively affordable.
- It can charge enough for 12 to 80 miles in one hour.
- It can charge an empty battery in 4.5 hours.
- Requiring a 208 to 240-volt system, it can often use the electrical infrastructure already in place.
Features of a Level 3 Charging Station
A Level 3 charging station costs more than a Level 2 or Level 1, but there are some good reasons for that. And after considering the benefits, you may conclude that a Level 3 charging station is just right for your needs.
The most important and obvious point: A Level 3 charging station is FAST. How fast?
- It can give you enough charge for 75 to 1,200 miles in one hour.
- That’s up to 20 miles in just one minute.
- It can completely charge an empty battery in 30 minutes.
Many forward-thinking establishments choose Level 3 charging stations because they want to draw in customers with their fast charging capabilities. For travelers and for EV owners who only have level one charging at their homes, a fast charging option can mean the difference between choosing one business over another.
Level 3 charging stations use direct current as opposed to alternating current and require 400 to 900 volts. That means it will likely require an electrical infrastructure upgrade.
So, Is a Level 3 Charging Station Worth the Capital Investment?
There are many reasons you might want to go with a Level 3 charging station.
First, as an amenity for your valued clients, customers, members, or tenants, it’s hard to top having a Level 3 charging station available at their convenience.
- For high-end residential developments, it’s an attractive perk that will appeal to the right kind of prospects.
- For car dealerships, it is a sensible way to keep inventory ready for test drive.
- For gyms, clubs and other membership-based organizations, it conveys a sense of value.
- And for retail businesses of any kind, it makes sense to provide a service that encourages people to spend time in the establishment. That leads to more sales.
If you expect to interact with electric vehicle owners, you’ll want to approach them at their level. Studies have shown that EV owners are generally college-educated and make in excess of $75,000 per year. In fact, another study found that Fiat 500e owners have an average household income of $145,00 per year, while Ford Focus owners earn a household average of $199,999 per year.
People in that demographic expect quality in the establishments they patronize and the services they use. Having a top-quality charging station available will soon be an expectation.
So, beyond attracting affluent people, how can your Level 3 charging station pay for itself?
There are serious tax incentives for installing a Level 3 charging station in your establishment. The IRS offers a tax credit of thirty-percent of the cost of your charging station, up to $30,000. So, the more you spend, the higher your tax credit. And individual states have a variety of rebate programs available for those who install EV charging stations.
But you can also directly monetize your investment—basically, you charge people for charging. Some businesses charge a flat fee for the privilege of charging an electric vehicle. And others prefer metered billing, which charges customers based on how much electricity they consume.
Some Establishments Opt for a Two-Tiered Approach
Some establishments opt for a two-tiered approach. Charging privileges can be free for residents, club members, loyal customers or rewards members—and available for a fee for everyone else. That brings revenue while also conveying a sense of privilege for patrons.
Electric vehicles are here to stay, and, as time goes on, they will become more and more prevalent in our society. The funding incentives of today won’t last forever, though, so now may be the best time to update your infrastructure for this inevitable change.
Level 2 and Level 3 Charging Stations from Enel X Way
HiOn Distribution is an official distributor of Enel X Way products because they make some of the most reliable and affordable charging solutions on the market.
The JuicePump
The JuicePump comes in 100, 150, 200, and 350 kW configurations, and is upgradable by 50kW modular units. It features a WiFi Option, a 2-year warranty, and an optional 3-year extended warranty.
But best of all, it’s really fast. The JuicePump can provide an 80 percent charge in 10 to 30 minutes.
The 175 kW JuicePump is the fastest model in the line, offering maximum power and a compact footprint. It can charge an EV 80 percent in under 20 minutes.
The JuiceBox
For Level 2 charging stations, Enel X Way offers the JuiceBox, which operates on 240 volts and features intelligent WiFi control with a quick-release mounting bracket and integrated cable management for fast setup and charging.
EV charging stations are the way of the future. And they’re more accessible than you might have imagined.
