Before anything else, you should know that EVSE stands for Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment. Chargepoint EVSE is the way to go if you have just gotten yourself an electric car, and do not want to wait a full 8 hours or even more for it to be fully charged.
However, before you buy a ChargePoint EVSE, there are few things you should know. Knowledge after all they say is power, and your ChargePoint on ChargePoint EVSE will serve as a guide to buying the perfect one for you.
Learning about EVSEs
First thing you should know about a ChargePoint EVSE is that they should not be plugged in to your home. These charging stations run at 240 volts and as such are not compatible with regular home electrical sockets. What you should do is call on the services of a professional electrician to help you install new circuits that can be dedicated to the EVSE.
Types
EVSEs are of two types in terms of their setups. There is the plug-in station which is generally easier to work with, and the hardwired stations which are less easy to work with but comes with less clutter.
An understanding of the pros and cons of both types of EVSE will help you determine which one is best for you.
Plug-In Stations
Plug-in stations are recommended for those who are looking for maximum freedom and control over the installation and possible upgrade of their charging station equipment. ChargePoint is because the services of an electrician wouldn’t be required in such cases.
The con of having a plug-in station, however, is that additional equipment would be required for its installation. Also, some electrical codes could stop a homeowner from using a plugged EVSE.
Hardwired Stations
With hardwired stations, one doesn’t have to worry about electrical codes as they are usually the most preferred of the two types of EVSEs available. The downside to this, however, is that an upgrade or installation cannot be done without expert services. This is because the EVSE is installed directly into your electrical system thus eliminating the need for a junction box, plug or the other extra equipment you would have had to bother with had it been a plug-in station.
Should You Buy an EVSE?
Electric cars can be charged via the regular 120v outlets that are in homes everywhere. This makes you ask if a decision to buy a charging station that could be worth quite a lot is a good one. Well, the answer to that really depends on you. But consider:
Fully charging your electric car via a standard 120v outlet can take from 8-12 hours depending on how large your car’s battery is. This definitely wouldn’t be ideal if you have a busy schedule or have to be on the road for a long time. with a ChargePoint EVSE however, the charging time can be cut in half or even less.
Also, the tax incentives on charging stations now makes them a good investment knowing fully well that you could get a substantial amount you spent on it back through taxes.
The decision now is left to you.