If you’re one of the many New Yorkers going green this holiday season with an electric vehicle (EV), you’ll also want to explore your options for EV chargers for your home. As electric vehicle sales go up, availability at charging stations in your neighborhood goes down. However, you can save yourself time and stress by getting a level 2 EV charger and charge your vehicle from the convenience of your home.
Along with New York State’s goal to be more sustainable, the state set a goal of 800,000 electric vehicles on the road in the next four years. This coincides with the state’s additional goal to outlaw gas-powered vehicles by 2035. As we progress closer towards these goals, powering your vehicle at a time and place that’s convenient for you, that also saves you money, will become even more important. With level 2 EV chargers, you can get just that.
What is a Level 2 EV Charger?
When you first purchase your electric vehicle from your dealership, you’ll get a home connector kit. This plugs into a 3-pronged outlet in your home to power your EV, but does so at an extremely slow rate. You’ll get about 4 miles for every hour you charge your car. For short trips this may be sufficient, but if you’ll be driving a lot, or have a commercial vehicle that requires a longer charge, the level 2 charger is the preferred option for most EV drivers.
A level 2 EV charger will charge faster, giving you around 37 miles of range per hour with a 240-volt charger. This does require additional installation as these chargers require their own port and do not fit into a typical 3-pronged outlet. With chargers like Chargepoint and JuiceBox, you’ll even get a free app with your purchase to help you track your charging status and stay on top of your vehicle’s power. At this time, dealerships do not sell level 2 EV chargers, but SUNation Service does.
EV Charger Tax Credits for 2021
As an incentive to go green with an electric vehicle and home EV charger, there are tax credits available for EV chargers through December 31, 2021.
State Tax Credit: Get a $500 rebate from PSEGLI
PSEG’s Smart Charge Rewards Program: Get back 5 cents per kWh when charging with your home EV charger from 11 P.M. to 6 A.M.
Federal Tax Credit: 30% off up to $1,000
Types of Level 2 Chargers
Types of Level 2 ChargersAt SUNation Service, we offer two types of EV chargers that are include in the tax credit programs listed above.
ChargePoint EV Home Flex Charger
This charger is a 240-volt level 2 charger giving out 48-50 amps of charging. It comes with a 23-foot charging cable, a 3-year warranty, and is ENERGY STAR certified.
The ChargePoint App, available for iOS and Android, allows you to track your charging progress, find charging stations in your neighborhood, set reminders to charge, and can be connected to your smart home. Use Alexa to turn your ChargePoint charger on or off.
The JuiceBox charger is another 240-volt level 2 charger that allows you to charge quickly with room to grow. The J1772 plus allows for compatibility with all electric vehicles, though some may require an adaptor. It comes with a 25-foot charging cable, is ENERGY STAR certified and also comes with a free app.
Use JuiceBox’s app to monitor your charging progress and link it to your smart home set up for even more convenience.
Benefits of Charging at Home
In addition to the money-saving tax credits available, there are other benefits to charging at home:
- Wake Up With a Full Charge: With the option to charge your vehicle overnight at home, you can wake up, ready to drive, with a fully charged electric vehicle.
- Less Stress: No need to drive around looking for an available charging station when you have a charger at home. Especially during high-traffic periods, like holidays, it can be difficult to find a place to charge your vehicle. No need to cut it close when you also have helpful apps that let you know when a charge is needed before you run out of power.
- Better Use of Your Time: By not having to wait at a charging station, you can spend your time doing what you like at home while your electric vehicle charges.
- Save Money: Relying on public charging stations can actually cost you more than charging at home. Rates will vary depending on the charging station, often costing more than what you’d pay to charge at home where your power comes from your usual energy source. If your EV charger is powered through solar energy, you can expect to save even more.
EV Charging For Your Business
If you own a business, also consider the benefits of adding an EV charging port on site for your employees. Allowing your team to charge their electric vehicles while they work can be an additional benefit your company offers, especially if your business requires frequent travel.
For commercial EV charging stations, businesses can qualify for 30% off up to $30,000 in Federal tax credits through December 31, 2021. Contact our SUNation Service Department for more details.
Combine With Solar For a Sustainable Charge
When you charge your electric vehicle from home, you’re utilizing your current power source. By switching to solar energy, you can power your home AND your vehicle using clean, renewable energy for the most environmentally friendly charge yet. As with the EV chargers, there are tax credits available through December 31, 2021 for both residential solar and commercial solar installations.
Residential Solar Tax Credits 2021
- State Tax Credit: 25% tax credit up to $5,000 for systems up to 25kW for residential homes and 50kW for condominiums or cooperative housing associations
- Federal Tax Credit: 26% tax credit
Commercial Solar Tax Credits 2021
- Federal Tax Credit: 26% tax credit
For information about adding solar to your home or business for your EV charging needs, please contact a SUNation Solar Specialist to book a free consultation.
As the push for clean energy for both your home and your vehicle moves forward, be prepared ahead of the rush and get your EV charger with solar installation now with SUNation. We’ll walk you through every step of the way and help you deicide which charger is right for your electric vehicle needs.
