Gasoline-powered vehicles might still be dominating the streets, but there’s no denying that electric vehicles (EVs) are slowly getting a share of the limelight. But with the increasing production of EVs, there is also a need to ramp up the number of available charging stations across the country.
According to a 2022 report by the US Department of Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center, there are over 46,000 public EV charging stations across the country. As of January 2022, there are approximately 46,290 stations and 113,558 charging ports all over the US. The majority of them are stationed in California, according to a report by Statista.com.
There are currently three classifications of EV chargers一level 1, level 2, and DC fast charging.
A level 1 charger uses a regular 110-V outlet like standard home plugs. Compared to a level 2 and DC fast charger, this type takes the longest time to charge an EV battery (usually requires overnight charging). Using this type can get you about five miles per hour of charge.
A level 2 charger uses a 240-V outlet and takes about five hours to fully charge an EV battery. There are about 41,000 level 2 charging stations across the country with 91,000 charging ports.
Unlike the two charger classifications, a fast charger can power the battery with direct current, skipping the process of converting alternating current into DC. A DC fast charger can restore an EV’s battery life to full capacity within an hour.
There are only about 6,000 fast charging stations across the country. While this type offers the fastest way to recharge an EV battery, it’s highly unlikely that DC fast charging will become the primary charging method for EVs. This is because not all EVs are equipped with the necessary hardware and software to use fast chargers.
You’re likely to find an EV charging station in almost any state you go to, but keep in mind that some have fewer stations than others. The distribution of charging stations across the country is quite uneven in that some states have only less than a hundred.
In a 2021 report by the US Department of Energy Alternative Fuels Data Center, California had the most number of level 1, 2, and DC fast charging stations combined at 34,185. Next is New York with 6,547 stations followed by Florida with 5,644.
It’s no secret that public charging stations charge more than your electric billing company. Public level 2 charging stations currently charge about ¢44 per kilowatt hour while fast charging stations charge about ¢59.
Meanwhile, charging at home can cost you around ¢16 per kilowatt hour. So if you’re looking to save a few cents down the road, installing your own EV charging station might be the best way to go.
The cost of installing a charging station largely depends on the type of charger and labor fees. Installing a level 1 charging station can cost you anywhere between $300 and $600 on parts alone and an additional $1,000 to $1,700 for labor.
If you’re planning to set up a level 2 charging station, expect to pay around $500 to $700 for parts and $1,200 to $2,000 for labor. In some cases, basic installation for a level 2 charging station can cost between $250 and $400 given that the house already comes with a 240-V circuit.
For those looking to have a dedicated DC fast charging station, materials can cost anywhere between $20,000 and $50,000 while labor fees can soar by as much as $50,000.
Aside from costs, there are other things to keep in mind when installing a charging station. Some of these include connector type, cable length, electric capacity, and safety.
The right type of plug and connector will depend on your vehicle’s specifications. Most EVs in the US use the SAE J1772 for level 1 and 2 charging. But for brands like Tesla, you’ll need a special type of connector or adapter to charge at the automaker’s supercharging network.
When installing a charging station, make sure the cable can run from the wall mount to the car without getting caught in anything that can create a safety hazard.
A circuit with at least 32 amps should be available in your home to make it conducive for an EV charging station.
Before installing a charging station, make sure the charger has an Underwriter Laboratories (UL) certification. This means that the charger has been tested and passed safety standards. Make sure that the cable is made from a rugged and well-insulated material.
With EVs getting more popular by the day, it’s no surprise that companies have begun to build their charging stations.
Currently, EV charging network giant ChargePoint holds the most number of level 2 charging stations at 30,000 with 47,000 individual ports.
Coming in second place is Tesla with less than 6,000 stations and 25,000 charging ports.
When it comes to DC fast charging stations, however, Tesla sits at the top with about 1,300 supercharging stations followed by Electrify America with 750 stations. Tesla’s superchargers are only exclusive to Tesla models and can get an EV 200 miles of range in as fast as 15 minutes. The automaker, however, has plans of making their superchargers compatible with other EV makes.
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