As electric vehicles (EVs) become increasingly popular across Canada, EV owners are interested in the convenience of at-home charging. With various options available and considerations to keep in mind, let’s explore the options of at-home EV charging, including installation, costs, and solutions for both home, condo, and apartment owners!
Chargers For Your Home:
For homeowners, installing a dedicated EV charging station offers the ultimate convenience and peace of mind. Chargers are typically installed in a garage or driveway where you park your vehicle to provide faster charging speeds compared to standard household outlets. Installation requires hiring a certified electrician to assess electrical capacity, install the charging unit, and ensure compliance with local building codes and regulations.
Level 1 Charging at Home:
Level 1 charging consists of using a nozzle cord and standard household outlet to charge your electric vehicle and requires no installation. While convenient, it is the slowest form of charging and offers around 8km of driving range per one hour charged, which works well if you’re charging your vehicle overnight. Level 1 chargers are usually provided when you purchase a new electric vehicle, meaning no extra costs, and can be used at home with a 120-volt outlet.
Level 2 Charging at Home:
Most EV drivers install a level 2 charging stations at their home which offers around 30kms of driving range per one hour charged. The initial price to purchase a level 2 charging station ranges from $500 to $1,500 CAD, depending on brand, features, and installation requirements.
There are also smart level 2 charging stations that connect to WIFI and enable users to monitor charging history and schedule sessions for specific times of the day. Moreover, some charging stations are designed to perform better in cold weather conditions than others.
Installation Costs:
The price to install a charger is estimated to cost around $1,000 to $3,000 CAD, depending on electrical system upgrades and installation complexity. The cost of installation depends on if you decide to have your charger hardwired into your home or have a plug-in unit. Plug-in units are more affordable, and only require an electrician to run a cord from your home breaker to a 240-volt electrical outlet where the charger will be plugged in.
Currently in Manitoba, there are no provincial home charging station rebates, however, Manitoba Hydro offers a Home Energy Efficiency loan of up to $3,000 per EV charger to help make the process more feasible.
To learn more about at-home charging, visit ChargeHub.
Chargers for Your Condo or Apartment
Condo and apartment living presents unique challenges for EV charging and requires the permission of the building manager. While installing a dedicated charging station may not always be feasible due to building restrictions or limited parking space, several options exist to facilitate EV charging in multi-resident buildings.
Level 1 Charging:
Level 1 EV chargers also work at condos and apartments. EV owners can use the nozzle cord with standard outlets at condo parking spots, providing a convenient charging option.
Level 2 Charging:
While it may be more difficult to install a level 2 charger at your condo, charging brands like Flo offer level 2 charging solutions designed for condo and apartment living.
Shared Charging Stations:
Condo boards may consider installing shared EV charging stations in common parking areas, allowing multiple residents to access charging infrastructure. Reach out to your condo board to discuss options regarding shared charging stations.
Installation Considerations:
Permission:
Before installing an EV charging station in a condo, residents should obtain approval from the condo board and adhere to any relevant bylaws or regulations.
Electrical Capacity:
Assessing the building’s electrical capacity is essential to determine feasibility and potential upgrades required for EV charging installation. For example, older condos electrical infrastructure may be less likely to have free power to tap into rather than a newer building.
To learn more about EV charging at condos and apartments in Manitoba, read Manitoba’s Guide to Electric Vehicle Charging in Multi-Residential Buildings or visit visit Electric Autonomy Canada.
