How Much Does a level 3 EV charger cost?
Like a new car, a charger for an electric vehicle has features that affect its price, and there is no single answer to this question. “How Much Does a level 3 EV charger cost?“, you can buy a basic, cheap car. But the extra features increase the price. Similarly, Level 3 charging stations cost from $40,000-$175,000 per unit.
It’s not just about the price tag, and Level 3 chargers vary widely by capacity. In many cases, your company can recoup the investment through the business value electric vehicle charging provides to your customers, employees, and brand.
Read also – What is the most affordable electric car?
What are Level 3 chargers?
Electric vehicle charging equipment is classified on the basis of how fast it fills the battery of the electric vehicle. Any charger that charges more than 25 miles per hour, and is a Level 3 charger.
use of direct current
Level 3 chargers have the ability to convert alternating current from the grid to direct current to store the battery, and they are significantly more expensive than Level 2 chargers because of this internal conversion capability.
The difference with Level 2 Chargers
Level 2 chargers rely on electric vehicles to convert AC to DC, which is a much slower process and why Level 2 chargers cost less. This is approximately $2,500-$5,500 per unit. Level 1 charging involves a regular 120-volt outlet and is suitable for residential use.
Other names for level 3 charger
Level 3 chargers are also called direct current fast chargers. According to the Department of Energy, in the US, more than 15% of public-facing electric vehicle charging ports are DC fast chargers.
How do you use a Level 3 charger?
Level 3 charging operates from 480-volt power lines. Interestingly, the higher capacity conduits, panels, and circuit breakers don’t add significant expense to the cost of similar Level 2 equipment.
Electric Vehicle “Refueling”
Similar to the gas pump, the driver inserts the charging cable into a port on the car. Depending on the make of the electric vehicle, the charging cord may require a connector to fit into the car’s charging socket.
understanding energy use
Level 3 chargers can communicate in the cloud via network software, and Future Energy’s software solution, Interface, allows you to monitor, control, and manage all your electricity usage in real time.
storage energy
Some Level 3 chargers not only convert energy but can also store it. That said, a ChargePoint DCFC can cost more than $100,000, but also includes power blocks and other internal equipment that reduces the need for utility upgrades.
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What are the cost factors for Level 3 chargers?
Future Energy recommends the installation of Level 3 infrastructure, even if immediate plans call for the installation of Level 2 chargers.
power output
Level 3 chargers have a wide range of power outputs, which affects cost, and a charger that delivers up to 25 kW of AC power is considered Level 3. However, the top end of power output shoots up to around 500 kW and delivers up to 200 miles of range in a 30-minute charge.
connector type
There are four types of connectors for Level 3 chargers, and similar to individual phone chargers for iPhone or Android, these attachments fit into the electric vehicle’s charging socket.
CHAdeMO: Developed by Japanese automakers seeking to create a global infrastructure of Level 3 public EV charging stations, CHAdeMO is an abbreviation for CArge de MOve, and the term derives from a Japanese phrase. How quickly can a driver charge an electric vehicle using a Level 3 charger? The connector has two large pins specifically for DC charging.
SAE Combo: The Society of Automotive Engineers created its standard for fast charging, and SAE CCS connectors support Level 3 fast charging and Level 2 charging.
Tesla: Tesla offers a proprietary connector. Only Tesla electric vehicles can use Tesla Level 3 chargers, also known as superchargers.
GB/T: GB/T is the English equivalent of China’s Guobiao standards, and GB/T connectors are specifically for Level 3 charging in China.
OCPP Compliance
The available charge point protocol also facilitates communication between electric vehicle charging stations and multiple software systems that help manage the electric vehicle charging network in the cloud. In fact, OCPP has become the benchmark of interoperability for electric vehicle charging worldwide.
software integration
Beyond OCPP compliance, features of Level 3 charging station software affect the cost, and these also include a touch screen or other services provided by the software.
guarantee
The length and type of warranty also affect the cost of a Level 3 charger which is the standard warranty is two years, but some chargers offer a three-year warranty, guaranteeing the product for up to a certain number of charging cycles.
What are the benefits of installing a Level 3 charger?
The real question about the cost of a Level 3 charging station isn’t the price. Rather, the question is how the features of the Level 3 charger you choose can enhance your business operations.
Discount for Level 3 Chargers
The nationwide push towards electric adoption has created several financial incentives for your business to install a Level 3 electric vehicle charger. However, not all Level 3 chargers are eligible for the rebate, and Future Energy can help you identify which devices are eligible so you don’t miss out on some of your investment. The truth is, Future Energy’s Financial Incentives National Database tool quickly identifies every available financial opportunity for any Future Energy client across the country.
Business Value Of Electric Vehicle Charging Stations
Because the market for electric vehicles is so new, it’s important to think about the benefits beyond a purely revenue-generating business model. Instead, public electric vehicle charging stations are a way to showcase your company’s culture and beliefs.
As such, you can offer Level 3 charging as an employee benefit.
brand promotion
Companies are beginning to see how offering Level 3 electric vehicle charging boosts their reputation, and Future Energy is working with an automotive maintenance company to install Level 3 chargers at thousands of its locations in the Midwest, and the company plans to offer complimentary charging with automotive services.
These public electric vehicle charging stations show potential customers that this company is a forward-thinking leader in a rapidly growing market. Beyond attracting additional customers, Future Energy is helping the company immensely by using fast chargers to enhance its brand.
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FAQs
Can You Install a Level 3 Charger at Home?
Level 3 charging stations are mainly used in commercial and industrial settings, as they are usually prohibitively expensive. It requires specialized and powerful equipment to operate which means that DC fast chargers are not available for home installations.
Does Level 3 Charging Damage Your Battery?
A study by the Idaho National Laboratory concluded that an electric car’s battery will degrade faster if its only power source is Level 3 charging (which almost never happens).
Can all EVs use a Level 3 charger?
Some public stations are Level 3 chargers, also known as DCFC or DC fast chargers, and these charging stations are the fastest way to charge a vehicle. Note that not every electric vehicle can charge on a Level 3 charger.
