Electric vehicles have been increasingly popular over the last few years and home charging stations for an electric car at a competitive price are more abundant than ever.
Here is all you need to know about charging stations with Volkswagen Canada and your Complexe VW 440 dealership in Laval, close to Terrebonne, Montreal-North and the North Shore of Montreal.
Firstly, before you even think of installing an EV charger for your home, you must identify what type of plug your car needs so that you can determine which charging station is the right one for your vehicle.
There are two solutions when it comes to installating a home charging station. You can opt for a wall-mounted station or one on a pedestal.
A wall type charger (Wallbox) is the most common on the electric vehicle market. It is easy to install and is quite discreet, and it won’t take up space in your garage.
The pedestal charging station can be useful if it is not possible for you to install a Wallbox for example. It is practical outside, in your building’s parking lot or in the parking lot where you work.
As you can see, there are two main types of charging stations for electric vehicles.
On the market, there are essentially three levels of charging stations with different tensions and long or quick charging times.
The level 1 charging station is sold with your electric vehicle and can be plugged into a regular 120 volt outlet directly. This home EV charger is, without a doubt, the slowest of all the ones available on the market. In fact, you can expect to recuperate around 6 kilometers per hour with the level 1 charging station.
The level 2 charging station is also a residential charger and probably the most popular given that it offers much quicker charging times. It is a 240 volt charging station that will allow you to charge your vehicle at an average speed of 40 km in range for every charging hour.
Moreover, the level 2 charging station can be either wall mounted or on a pedestal. The wall mounted charger will be installed inside your garage, while the one on a pedestal will be more practical outside. With a box fixed atop a post, it is made to resist harsh weather, even down to -40 degrees Celsius.
Finally the level 3 charging station is the fastest out of all of the available options, but this type of charging station is not made for residential use. You will find some on the public circuit (for example in the Flo charging station network) along your drives. For your information, this ultra-quick charging station will allow you to charge your electric vehicle at 80 % charge in about 30 minutes.
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Although the level 1 charging station does not require any special installation besides plugging it into a regular outlet, the level 2 charging station requires the installation of a 240 volt circuit.
This circuit will have to be installed into your electrical distribution panel in your home and you will have to hire an electrician that is RBQ (Régie du bâtiment du Québec) certified.
Moreover, you will have to decide what type of charging station you want. There are different types of options available: a fix charger, a charger with NEMA 14-50 plug or a charger with NEMA 6-50 plug. The fix charger plugs directly into your electric panel, while the two others can be detachable. The NEMA 14-50 plug seems to be the preferred charger by automobile manufacturers.
Although there are several charging stations available on the market, the most popular are:
| Charging Station | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Autel Maxicharger Home 40A and 50A | Level 2 charger NEMA 14-50 plug 25- foot cable Resists harsh weather conditions |
The cost |
| Wallbox Pulsar Plus 40A and 50A | Compact charger Smart control via Wi-Fi Compatible with Alexa and Google Home Can be installed inside or outside |
The cost Resists harsh weather, but not as well as the Autel Maxicharger Home |
| Flo G5 | Exterior or interior installation Compatible with all EV and plug-in hybrid models Easy to use Sturdy charger |
Expensive |
| EVduty | The most popular on the Quebecer market Made locally 15- or 25- foot cable Economical |
The charger’s design The connector is difficult to pull out from under ice in the winter |
| Chargepoint Flex | The most sold level 2 station in the world Wi-Fi connectivity Provides you with data about your electric consumption Compatible with SAE J1772 charging port |
The cost Cable has a maximum of 23- feet |
As you can see, even if there are several different kinds of EV chargers, they are also different in terms of design, use and practicality.
Here are the costs related to the previously viewed models:
| Charging station | Suggested price |
|---|---|
| Autel Maxicharger Home 40A and 50A | $ 945 to $ 975 |
| Wallbox Pulsar Plus 40A and 50A | $ 925 to $ 999 |
| Flo G5 | $ 1,145 |
| EVduty | $ 899 to $ 919 |
| Chargepoint Flex | $ 999 |
Although there are EV chargers that sell for $ 749, you should take into account that the average price is around $ 985 and that some charging stations can cost up to $ 1,575.
Cost for a home charging station can vary greatly given that each house is different. However, average costs are around $ 700 and $ 900. Only a certified electrician can install this kind of EV charger.
Moreover, the cost of the installation can also vary according to the distance between your electrical panel and the charging station itself, along with the changes that might need to be made on your current installation.
Before installing a charging station, it would be smart for you to ask your electrician for a quote.
Finally, if you own an electric vehicle, the Government of Quebec could grant you financial aid of up to $ 600 for the purchase and installation of a residential EV charger.
This financial aid can be added to other government grants (provincial and federal) offered to you upon the purchase of an electric vehicle.
Should you have any more questions, we are here to help you discover all of our different electric vehicle models and our Volkswagen SUVs and their towing capacities. Come and visit us at Complexe VW 440 in Laval, close to Terrebone, Montreal-North and the North Shore of Montreal. Take advantage of our current Volkswagen special offers in Laval and Volkswagen financing. A team of passionate experts is waiting for you!
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