EV Charging

If you want your shop to service electric vehicles, there is one piece of equipment you will need to invest in for diagnostics and repairs. This is not an electrically insulated glove, this is a charger. The charger can be a diagnostic tool when a customer complains that their EV is not charging. Additionally, the charger can charge the high-voltage battery if you need to address drivability issues. Plus, having a charger in a store can avoid returning EVs to low-range customers.

It can be confusing when you start exploring options for your store. Below are some of the most frequently asked questions about EV chargers.

Is it AC or DC?

The secret to a charging station or fast charging is to convert alternating current (AC) into direct current (DC). Most electric vehicles can convert AC to DC, but can’t handle that much power. AC power is great for sending power over long distances, but not great for charging batteries. DC power is great for charging batteries but can’t travel long distances over power lines. Also, DC chargers can be expensive.

Why can’t I use the charger that came with the EV?

Most EVs come with a charger in the trunk. This 110-volt cable is like using a space-saving spare tire for cross-country driving. With this type of charger, it may take eight to 10 hours to fully charge. This type of charger is classified as a class one charger.

It is recommended to use a second class AC charger in your shop. This charger uses 240 volt AC power. This can charge the battery faster and allow you to diagnose the charging system in your vehicle. This charger can also provide you with more information that can be used to analyze the charging system.

If you want to charge even faster, class three and four chargers that use DC can quickly charge an EV or plug-in hybrid. These fast chargers can charge your vehicle quickly, but you may need to upgrade your electrical service.

What Connectors Should the Charger Have?

This is where things get tricky. The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) worked together to develop a standard J1772 connector that can handle both level 1 (110 volts) and level 2 (240 volts) charging. With two additional connectors, the J1772 connector can handle DC power. Most electric vehicles use this type of connector, except Tesla. The Tesla charging port uses a proprietary connector and interface. But you can use an adapter to allow the J1772 connector for Tesla.

Where Should You Place the Charger?

The location of the charging station is up to you, but there are a few things to consider. Having an EV charger in your parking lot can attract new customers. But, it shouldn’t be a free service. The chargers on the market can accept mobile payments and create another revenue stream in your shop. Some chargers can even play advertisements on their touch screens, such as gas stations. With some of these chargers, you can buy them outright or rent equipment through a company.

Public chargers can be tampered with. Also, the charging cable can be cut by those who want copper scrap. So if you are going to make your charger available to the public, make sure it is in a secure location.

For chargers that will be used by technicians, it is best if the charger is inside or outside a shop that is not accessible to the public. This charger must be at least a class 2 AC charger operating at 240 volts. For this charger, you can use a home-style class 2 charger. Conventional placement is on the wall for most applications. The charging cable should be long enough to connect to most vehicles. But keep in mind that the power port on EVs and hybrids does not have a standard location. They can be found on the front fender, rear quarter panels and grille.

What about Electricity?

Most class two chargers require a 240 volt single phase power source. The unit can draw between 30-70 amps. You may have to use an electrical contractor to connect the unit. Also, you may have to get a new service panel to handle the new charger. Some chargers will have NEMA plugs that can use the outlets used by tire changers and balancers.

If you want to install a DC charger, most will require a 480 volt three-phase connection. This may require changes to your electrical service and service panel.

Why Chargers?

This is the most challenging question to answer. However, EV has opportunities that you cannot ignore. These opportunities include tire, suspension repair and maintenance. If you have a large population of EVs in your area, now is the time to try to attract these customers.