Convenient At-Home EV Charging Solutions
In our modern day and age, electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming popular across the nation. They have several benefits since they’re affordable, quiet, and economical.
If you own an electric vehicle and you’d like the convenience and safety of an EV home charging station, let the electrical experts at F.H. Furr help! We offer a selection of the most advanced, fully featured EV charging systems available, and provide professional ev charger installation and replacement in Richmond, VA, and the surrounding areas.
What Is an EV Charging Station?
Electric vehicle chargers supply electric energy to recharge electric vehicles. There are three levels of electric vehicle charging devices:
- Level 1 charger: Comes standard with most electric vehicles and is plugged into any normal three-prong outlet. While the Level 1 charger requires no installation, it charges vehicle batteries rather slowly. Level 1 EV chargers are best suited for overnight use, and they can take 20 hours or more to fully charge your car’s battery.
- Level 2 charger: This charger is a bit more advanced and requires its own dedicated 240-volt circuit, which must be professionally installed in your garage. Level 2 chargers work much faster, fully charging an EV in about three hours.
- Level 3 charger: This is the stand-alone device you see at public charging stations. It can add 160 miles of driving range to an EV’s batteries in about half an hour. However, they also have an industrial-level power draw that makes them unavailable to homeowners. If you own or work at an industrial building, it’s possible to have a Level 3 charger installed there.
Which type of EV charger is the right choice for you, your home, or your business? It depends on your driving habits.
Many EV owners get by with plugging in their cars for an overnight charge; however, if you frequently find yourself needing to recharge your EV midday, installing a Level 2 charger is a smart investment.
Choose F.H. Furr for Your EV Charging Station Installation in Richmond
When you decide to have an EV charger installed in your garage, here’s what you can expect from our team at F.H. Furr:
- Full inspection of all equipment before installation
- Site inspection to ensure equipment is installed in accordance with manufacturer specifications
- Your licensed electrician will install your EV charging equipment to conform to all National Electrical Code and local permit/code requirements
- Complete EV charging information provided on equipment features, correct usage, limitations, necessary maintenance, and warranty terms
Ready to get an estimate or schedule your EV charger installation for your electric vehicle?
Request an appointment online!
FAQs About EV Charging Stations
Can my charging station be installed outside?
Yes, if you don’t have a garage or the necessary room inside for an EV charger, your charging station can be installed outside. Make sure the charging station features a fully sealed NEMA 4 enclosure and that it’s mounted securely to a pedestal or wall.
We can help you select the best EV charger for outdoor use in the Richmond area, and we can provide a safe, professional installation.
Can I charge two cars at a time at an EV station?
Though most EV chargers only charge a single vehicle, some changing stations feature two outputs. These systems will divide the current evenly between the two vehicles, preventing overloads or tripped breakers.
A dedicated 30- or 50-amp circuit will be required, and our team at F.H. Furr can install it, as well as the EV charger.
Will a charging station work for any electric car?
Most charging stations with a standard J1772 connector can be used to charge virtually any EV. Cars with proprietary inputs, like Teslas, may need adapters, and chargers designed specifically for proprietary systems may not be able to charge cars that use a J1772 connector.
Talk to our experts at F.H. Furr to learn which charging station is best for your Richmond home and vehicle.
What about plug-in hybrids?
Most charging stations can charge plug-in hybrids as well as full battery EVs. However, a charger designed for a plug-in hybrid may not provide the current necessary to charge a standard EV in a reasonable amount of time.
Consider upgrading your charging station if you’ll need to charge both types of electric vehicles. Our team can handle all the wiring and upgrades.
Should I get a charging station if I have visitors who drive electric cars?
If you have occasional visitors, a charging station will likely be an unnecessary expense. Most EVs can use a 120-volt Level 1 charger and a standard household outlet to top off the battery overnight, instead of a few hours like a Level 2 charger.
If you have frequent visitors or you’re starting a short-term rental service, however, an EV charging station will be convenient for your guests.
Request a quote for a charging station installation from our team at F.H. Furr.
