Level Up Your Electric Vehicle Service Equipment (EVSE)

In 1896, a special permit was secured and New York City streets were cleared for the first public test ride of the Electrobat, a prototype of a car that would be in the city’s first fleet of electric-powered cabs. These cars operated on two 1.5-horsepower (1.1 kW) motors that ran for 25 miles per charge at a top speed of 20mph. We’ve come a long way since then. Today, Japanese electric car company Aspark is claiming bragging rights to the world’s quickest car. Powered by four electric motors, Aspark’s Owl can go zero to sixty in 1.72 seconds, has a top speed of 249mph and can travel a range of 280 miles on a single charge.

There’s no denying that there are advantages to owning an electric vehicle. They’re quieter, require less maintenance and come with tax credits for owners of many brands. Then there is the environmental impact of not contributing to the 72% of CO2 emissions created by gas-powered cars. And by eliminating trips to the gas station, annual operating expenses are cut nearly 60%.

Are you ready to level up your electric vehicle charging experience? Look no further than PK Electric NYC. As trusted electrical contractors, we specialize in electrical panel wiring, commercial electrician services, and residential electrical services. When it comes to EVSE (Electric Vehicle Service Equipment), we’ve got you covered. Our expert team provides top-notch installation, maintenance, and repairs for your EV charging stations. Whether you’re a homeowner or a business owner, our contractor for home renovation services ensures that your electric vehicle charging needs are met with the utmost professionalism and quality. Experience the convenience and efficiency of EV charging with PK Electric NYC.

One issue remains, however. While it takes minutes to fill a gas tank up, it can take hours to fully charge the depleted battery of an electric vehicle. But you have options that can speed up the process. You just need to know your levels.

LEVEL 1 CHARGERS –

Almost like the USB of EVSE (electrical vehicle service equipment), the Level 1 charger is more or less ubiquitous and comes standard with just about every new off-the-assembly line electric car. They’re super convenient because they’re portable, run on standard household current and can plug into the same three-prong outlet that you use to run everything in your home from your TV to your toaster oven. The major downside to a Level 1 Charger is that it’s slow – very slow. They’re great for the casual driver who only puts 30 to 40 miles a day on the car and then plugs it in to charge overnight. But for drivers who regularly take longer trips, a Level 1 charger’s speed is going to be a problem. Depending on the battery, it can take anywhere between 12 and 24 hours to charge some cars. If you forget to plug in your car after a long day of driving, you might find yourself having to call an Uber to get to work the next day.

LEVEL 2 CHARGERS –

Most electric car owners quickly find out that they prefer the convenience of a quick charging option and move up to a Level 2 Charger. With this version of EVSE, you can dramatically cut charging time. Depending on the model of your vehicle, you can charge a car battery comparatively quickly. For example, A Mercedes B Class 250e can take 20 hours to fully charge (87 miles of range) with a standard Level 1 charging equipment. But upgrading to a Level 2 charger can fully charge that same 250e in three hours.

Compared to a Level 1 Charger that you can plug in anywhere, a Level 2 system uses a higher-output power source, like the one you plug your clothes dryer into. An added benefit to a Level 2 system is set it and forget it convenience. Some Level 2 chargers are smart home ready. EVSE systems by ChargePoint have a mobile app, where you can set a schedule to only charge your car when electricity is most affordable. This app also gives you the ability to set reminders so you never forget to plug in, use Alexa to start a charge from anywhere in your home, and have access to all your charging data at your fingertips.

You can purchase a variety of Level 2 EVSE systems online or in most home improvement stores, but they need a dedicated 240-volt outlet and may also require an upgrade to your panel. This type of job requires professional installation by a licensed and insured electrician.

WHICH LEVEL IS RIGHT FOR YOU?

Is it time to take your electric vehicle charging equipment (EVSE) to the next level? That depends on how often you drive and how much room you have in your garage. We perform all manners of level two charger installations for both inside and outside your home or business. And, as a licensed contractor approved by Con Edison, all work done by PK & Altman Electric’s expert staff is guaranteed to meet New York City safety code standards.

Call us today for a free consultation. From estimate to project completion, our team of licensed electricians in on-hand to help you choose and install the charging solution that’s right for you.