Installing Electric Vehicle Charging Stations

The electric vehicle revolution is underway. With virtually every major automaker introducing electric vehicles (PEV), there will be as many as 20 EV models in the next year. The question isn't “Are they coming?” but "How available will charging stations be when they get here?" The Chevy Volt and the Nissan Leaf are basically here, and more are on the way.

Best Electric Service is offering products from General Electric, Leviton, and Square D (Schneider Electric). Since we are not bound by one manufacturer, we are able to best design a system that meets your needs.

We are a Tesla Preferred Contractor for Electric Car Charging Installations!

Charging Station Terminology

Some of the terminology and acronyms you will find when researching electric vehicles may seem confusing. Please browse through the information below to get acquainted with the technology, and do not hesitate to contact us with any questions. Below are some terms that are used in this industry:

  • BEV – Battery Electric Vehicle

    An EV that does not have a combustion engine at all, rather it relies solely on a battery system and must be plugged into a charging source to replenish the charge.

  • EVSE – Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment

    The “charging” equipment used to maintain a charge on EV battery systems.

  • HEV – Hybrid Electric Vehicle

    An EV that combines an internal combustion engine with an electric propulsion system. The charge on the batteries is maintained through regenerative energy from braking and other onboard power sources (such as an internal combustion engine).

  • J1772™

    The North American (and Japanese) adopted SAE standards for the design of the Charge Coupler (a pin and sleeve device).

  • PEV – Plug-in Electric Vehicle

    Any motor vehicle that can be recharged from an external source of electricity. The electricity is stored in rechargeable battery packs and either drives or contributes to driving the wheels.

  • PHEV – Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle

    An HEV that incorporates a separate battery system where the charge is maintained by plugging into an external power source.

  • Level 1 EVSE – 120 Volt Charging Equipment

    It can fully charge an all-electric vehicle in about 18 hours. A plug-in hybrid may charge to capacity in as little as six hours, depending on the capacity of the battery pack.

  • Level 2 EVSE – 240 Volt Charging Equipment

    Similar to what is used for a clothes dryer and is well suited for more quickly charging PEVs. Charging time is approximately three to eight hours, depending on vehicle type.

  • Level 3 EVSE – High Voltage Charging Equipment

    While not formally defined, it is commonly known as fast or rapid charging and requires high levels of voltage and current to replenish more than half of an EV's battery capacity in as quickly as ten minutes.

Charging Station Installation

Installation of residential charging stations is easy. We offer a turnkey installation service to ensure proper installation and to explain the simple operation of the charging station. Here is what you get as part of our installation:

  • Step 1: Analysis

    Discuss your desired installation scenario with one of our qualified plug-in electric vehicle experts. They will guide you through various options and, based on your specific requirements, help you determine the right product to meet your needs.

  • Step 2: Quote

    We will send a qualified installer to conduct a site survey to verify information from the analysis and provide you with a firm cost and installation date. Our highly trained installers will walk you through the permitting process and advise you on all installation details.

  • Step 3: Installation

    Our expert installers will install the charging station, ensuring compliance with your local codes and ordinances and ADA guidelines. They will review the simple operating procedures with you so that you can rest assured your new charging station is ready. Once the installation is complete, we will ensure all paperwork has been filed properly to comply with local inspectors' guidelines.

Call Today!

Please contact Best Electric Service today at (414) 409-0251 to schedule an onsite estimate and design of your upcoming electric vehicle charging station or to get more information about what an installation could look like for your home.