EV Charger Frequently Asked Questions

No. There are two standardized plugs that work with nearly every electric car in the United States. Additionally, there is the proprietary Tesla Supercharger plug that only works with Teslas.

The J1772 plug, also known as the SAE J1772 or EVSE (Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment), is a standard connection for charging electric vehicles manufactured in the United States and Canada. The plug is a little more than two inches in diameter, and it has five prongs, three of which have pins: two on top and one on the bottom. It has a locking mechanism to fixtures to ensure the plug stays connected while it charges.

CCS1 stands for combined charging system combination 1. This is a standardized EV charging plug that uses AC and DC energy to charge vehicles more quickly. It is used widely throughout the United States and some international locations. It is based off the J1772 plug with two power contact holes below for DC power positive and negative connections.

The simple answer is Yes. However, there are a few things you should know.

First, rain should not pose a danger to you while you charge your EV. Designers and manufacturers take safety very seriously, so you can rest easy.

Second, it’s important to understand that, just like any other electrical device, all-weather EV chargers are susceptible to damage from the elements. The weather can also cause problems with communication between the charger and your car. If you live in a particularly extreme climate (think desert heat or frigid cold), make sure you get a charger that can handle it.

Third, it’s best not to use a charger that is partially submerged. Although EV chargers that are properly installed should not pose a threat while it is raining, voltage chargers that are regularly semi-submerged due to extreme flooding or bad drainage may eventually become unsafe. For that reason, it is best to install EV charging stations in a well-drained location.

Level 1 EV chargers are rated for outdoor use, with some caveats. These chargers are typically not water–or weather–proof, and they don’t have any heating element that would prevent their performance from slowing down in cold weather. You’ll want to make sure to cover your charger when it’s not in use, and the area where you plan to install it should be protected from the elements (such as under a carport).

Level 2 and 3 EV chargers can get wet, as most commercial EV chargers are designed to be fairly waterproof. Water damage, however, may void your warranty, depending on the manufacturer.

Yes, monetized electric car chargers are profitable. Due to the low supply and high need for charging electric cars, there is a growing demand for monetized chargers.

There are two main ways to monetize a charger.

Monetized EV charging stations are owned by private entities who have agreed to allow the general public to use them for a fee. Typically, the owner will set the price for an hour of use or per kilowatt-hour (energy consumed). Then they will pay the electric bill for that charger and the difference is the profit generated.

Monetized chargers are an increasingly popular way to add value to parking garages, or street parking near busy venues. The most popular locations for monetized EV chargers are employee parking, grocery stores and shopping centers, public street parking, event centers and sporting arenas, and apartment complexes and hotels.

Most monetized chargers are in semi-public locations, either along streets, in parking lots, next to sidewalks, etc. This makes selling a branded charger wraps or digital ads on the screens quite profitable. Depending on the brand and location of charger, it can be very easy to connect a charger to an ad network that will automatically run ads on the screen and pay a commission.

There are various EV chargers, each with different speeds, measured in kilowatts (kW). The most common chargers are Level 1, Level 2, and DC Fast Chargers.

Level 1 chargers are the basic ones you plug into a typical wall outlet. They charge your car through a 120-volt electrical system. If you have access to one of these, it’s a good idea to use it regularly to keep your battery charged at home. You might also find these in public places like hotels or parking lots. Using one of these, it will take about 8-10 hours to charge your car fully.

Level 2 chargers are also common in public places, but they’re capable of charging cars much faster than the Level 1 chargers because they charge through a 240-volt system. Most charging stations will offer Level 1 and Level 2, but if you’re using a Level 2 charger, your electric vehicle should be fully charged in 3-8 hours.

Level 3 DC Fast Chargers are rarer than the other two types of chargers, and they can typically only be found at dedicated fast charging stations. They can recharge your car in under an hour by using a 480-volt system that delivers direct current directly to the battery cells.

The charging rate of your vehicle will depend on the kind of plug you have available at the location of installation. Different EVs come with additional charging capabilities, so make sure to check what your car can handle before plugging in.

There are a few places you can buy level 1 EV chargers for your home. You can purchase them online, at big box stores, or specialty automotive stores. If you buy online, you must make sure the charger is compatible with your car and that the place you’re buying it from is reputable.

Fortunately, Amteck offers high-quality EV chargers–at all 3 levels–and we also provide installation. We have licensed technicians who can set up your charger quickly and safely, so you’ll be ready to go in no time! If you don’t know which charger is right for you, that’s okay, we are happy to walk you through the selection process.

There are dozens of EV charger manufacturers in the United States. Just a few of the more popular charger station companies are:

• ABM
• Chargepoint
• Clipper Creek
• EVBox
• EVoCharge
• JuiceBar
• PowerCharge
• Siemens
• WallBox

Amteck is a leading provider of electric vehicle charging stations for homes, businesses, and government facilities in the United States. We partner with many brands, including industry leaders like JuiceBar, ChargePoint, and Siemens. We are happy to install any brand of EV charger, and a few of the most popular requests from our clients include:

Blink IQ 200 chargers are the fastest Level 2 AC charging stations available, producing 80 amps of output, providing approximately 65 miles of charge in an hour. The sleek design fits into any setting, and multiple units can be combined for a customizable look.

The Bosch EV200 series of electric vehicle chargers is the manufacturer-recommended Level 2 240V charging stations for multiple electric vehicle manufacturers. It offers a hassle free charging station experience with automatic controls and safety features that allow you to simply plug in your car and start charging. It can be hardwired or plugged into a standard outlet, making it easy to install anywhere in your garage.

ChargePoint Home Flex is a Level 2 home charger that delivers up to 50 amps of power, which can charge your car up to 10x faster than a standard household outlet. Most drivers will use 32 or 40 amps, but if you want the fastest charge possible, 48 or 50 amps will do the trick–though, it requires hardwired installation and may require electrical upgrades.

JuiceBox Pro 40 is a flexible, powerful EV charger for homes and businesses alike. Manufactured in the USA by JuiceBar, it is compatible with all EVs and can be installed in garages or outdoors. It can be installed on any 240V outlet and accommodates a wide range of home and business installations. It features a 24-foot cable and plug that can accommodate any parking situation, whether you need to park close or far from your charger.

The GE WattStation Wall Mount EV Charger is a powerful and fast Level 2 universal charger that can charge any electric vehicle and works with all electric vehicle manufacturers. It delivers 7.2KW of power to your vehicle for every hour it is plugged in and has a user-friendly, easy-to-use interface that communicates the status of your charge via LED light. The charger is also equipped with a range of features that make the charging experience more convenient, such as a 20-foot cable, so you don’t have to park close to the charger and a cord wrap and mounting bracket for easy storage.

Schneider Electric EVlink EV230WS is a high-quality home charging station that delivers 7.2 kW of AC power to your vehicle’s on-board charger. The EV230WS features a smooth and sleek NEMA 3R enclosure for indoor installations, as well as an advanced communications gateway that communicates with OCPP 1.5 compatible networks to ensure safe and reliable operation at all times. With a UL-listed EVSE capable of charging up to seven times faster than most Level 1 chargers, the Schneider Electric EVlink EV230WS is a powerhouse charging station that can charge your electric vehicle quickly and reliably.

Having access to EV chargers wherever you go is very important as an electric car owner. We have an easy reference page, to find the chargers nearest you.