Electric Vehicle Charger, Toronto

Electric vehicles are becoming increasingly popular among Canadians — for good reason, as over the years they’ve become more affordable, take less time to recharge, and on average travel farther on a single charge. Charging an electric vehicle has never been easier, especially since getting an electric vehicle charger installed has become more accessible. Government rebates and incentives have also motivated car owners to go electric.

Electric vehicles are convenient since charging can be as easy as plugging them into a standard 120-volt three-pronged wall socket. Level 1 charging (or “trickle charging”) is useful for overnight top-ups, but if you expect to use your car regularly, this kind of charging can prove to be inconvenient. With trickle charging, 1 hour of charging allows around 8 km of driving range. A full charge can take between 7 to over 20 hours depending on the capacity of your battery.

Meanwhile, home electric vehicle chargers provide level 2 charging, which is not only the most common way of charging an electric vehicle, but is much faster and more efficient. 1 hour of charging provides 30-50 km of driving range, and a full charge takes around 2 to 10 hours. Any certified and licensed electrician can install a level 2 charging station, which involves checking your electrical service and your electrical panel, purchasing a charger, obtaining an electrical permit, station installation, and an inspection. Although this may seem like a lot of steps, the right electrical contractor will be able to help you through the process easily.

Knowing when and where to recharge is important to consider for the best possible experience of owning an electric vehicle. Having an electric vehicle charger improves this experience immensely, but before installation, it may also be important to research public charging stations nearby to map out routes to destinations (such as work) ahead of time. Level 3 charging stations are usually available in public or commercial spaces, such as shopping malls, office buildings, and rest stops, and are the fastest way of charging electric vehicles. These stations make longer trips possible and can be helpful on the go.

During installation, consider your usual parking situation, as it will impact the cord length and the location of the electric vehicle charger. Sometimes installation can be as easy as wiring the station up to the electrical panel, but the process can have many variables.

Contact MADE ELECTRIC for more information, to learn more about electric vehicle charging, and to inquire about having an electric vehicle charger installed in your home! We operate within the GTA to ensure that your vehicle and your home are functioning at the highest possible capacity.