EV charging is broken down into three distinct categories, each having their own specific use case scenario. Level 1 charging (slow charging), is normally utilized during residential charging and provides one vehicle to charge per charging event. Level 1 charging has minimal effect of degradation to the EV battery, which will extend the overall life of the vehicle. A level 1 EV charger utilizes a 120V, 3 pronged outlet and typically provides 5-10 miles of range (depending on the vehicle). Level 2 charging may be utilized for residential charging as well as work place charging. Level 2 charging typically provides 10-60 miles of range every hour the vehicle is being charged.( Again depending on the vehicle.) Level 2 charging may offer dual charging, 2 vehicles at the same time, which accommodates Fleet charging as well multiple vehicles at a venue, multi-family dwellings and or destinations point. Destination points include Hotels, shopping plazas, ride share locations as well as community events. A level 2 charger installation (in best practices) requires a qualified electrician to evaluate the locations current load capacity and determine what, if any, upgrades are needed to the existing electrical panel. Typically a 50 amp breaker is installed and conduit is run from the panel box to the location where one EV charger will be set. The length of the electrical run and current load capacity are the determining factors for the cost of the installation. Level 3 or DC Fast charging (Direct Current) is currently the fastest available charger that is utilized in the growing EV charging infrastructure landscape. Fast charging bypasses the on-board charging computer and directly charges the EV battery to 80% rapidly. After 80% of the charge is met, the input power is reduced to an output achieved similar to a level 2 charger. Use case scenarios include stations located near highways and byways, to quickly provide a driver range when traveling over an extended route. Level 3 charging also can be used in fleet applications, as a redundancy. If a Fleet normally utilizing a level 2 infrastructure on site and losses power during an evening, a DC fast charger will replace those lost charging times and get your fleet out into their route.

For recommendations on site design and best practices from prior installations consult Siting and Design Guidelines for EVSE [PDF] and Best Practice Guides and Cases.. Charging station installation costs can exceed the cost of the hardware itself and are influenced by a number of design factors that should be considered such as: Currently available electrical service. All new charging station installations should have a load analysis performed on the facility�s electrical demand to determine if there is capacity to add EV charging stations. AC Level 2 stations will need a dedicated 240-volt (40 amp) circuit and upgrading electrical service may be necessary. Distance between the electrical panel and the charging station. A longer distance between the electrical panel and the EV charging station means higher installation costs because it increases the amount of necessary trenching (and repair), conduit, and wire. It is desirable to minimize the distance between the electrical panel and EV charging station as much as possible while also considering the location of the charging station on the property. Location of charging station on the property. Consider the impact of placing the charging station at a particular location on the property. For example, placing charging station parking spaces in the back of a building might discourage their use, but other customers may be upset if a charging station is installed in prime parking spaces that often remain vacant because there are few EV drivers. Other considerations have less impact on installation costs but can impact how effective the station is at benefiting EV drivers and other clients. Some of these include the path the charging cord takes when in use and parking lot management practices.

Yes, you are allowed to charge people for using your station although many station owners choose to provide free charging as an enticement or benefit. An example of this is an employer offering free charging to their employees and customers. If you decide to charge for use there are a number of factors to consider in determining what works best for you. Charging for use depends on venue. Your decision will depend in part on the venue where it is operating. In some areas of New York State, particularly in the larger cities, some garages that charge for parking may find clients that are willing to pay extra for EV charging on a regular basis because they do not have the ability to charge at their residence. Charging for use depends on site installation purpose. Profit generated by the station is not the only opportunity to generate a return on investment from the charging station. Charging stations might attract EV drivers who then patronize your business, retain valuable employees, or provide a sense of your environmental stewardship which might help attract EV and non-EV residents, employees, or customers. How charging for use works. Station owners can charge for use per hour, per session, or per unit of electricity. Per Hour: If you charge per hour, there is a set cost for any vehicle whether it is charging or not, and different vehicles receive electricity at different rates, so the cost of energy may vary widely by charging session. Per Session: This is usually more appropriate for workplace charging or charging stations that have very short, regular sessions. Per Unit of Energy (usually kilowatt-hour [kWh]): This accurately accounts for the true cost of electricity for the charging station owner, but does not give an incentive for a car that is fully charged to leave the space. Some site owners have tried combinations of these approaches, such as charging a flat rate for the first two hours, then an increasing rate for longer sessions. Some locations might prefer to lower their operating expenses by not joining a charging station network and offering charging for free.

The fuel efficiency of an EV may be measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh) per 100 miles. To calculate the cost per mile of an EV, the cost of electricity (in dollars per kWh) and the efficiency of the vehicle (how much electricity is used to travel 100 miles) must be known. If electricity costs $0.13 per kWh and the vehicle consumes 33 kWh to travel 100 miles, the cost per mile is about $0.04. If electricity costs $0.13 per kilowatt-hour, charging an EV with a 200-mile range (assuming a fully depleted 66 kWh battery) will cost about $9 to reach a full charge. To compare the fueling costs of individual models of conventional and plug-in vehicles, see the Vehicle Cost Calculator. For PEV charging, the stability and planning benefits of household electricity rates offer an attractive alternative compared to traditional types of transportation. Learn more from the report: Comparing Energy Costs per Mile for Electric and Gasoline-Fueled Vehicles(PDF).