Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Options

There are plenty of reasons to drive more fuel-efficient vehicles. Rising fuel prices are just one motive, as is a concern for the environment. Awareness of the damage that internal combustion engines and traditional power generation can cause is generally the inspiration most people have when adopting greener personal vehicles.

Zero Tailpipe Emissions

Most vehicles on the road today are internal combustion engine cars; this is one of the most significant sources of non-industrial pollution. Conventional vehicles produce pollution from tailpipe emissions and in the form of fuel evaporation. Electric vehicles (or EVs), which have zero tailpipe emissions, are among the best options available for individuals looking to reduce their environmental impact.

Long Range Choices

Recent studies have shown that 95% of all daily travel in the US could be made in electric cars. Most of us—roughly 85%—travel fewer than 100 miles on a typical day. Nearly all electric vehicles can travel more than 100 miles on a single charge, and newer models can travel well beyond 200 miles on a fully-charged battery.

Electric vehicles typically use one or more electric motors which draw power from large lithium-ion batteries. These batteries are super-sized versions of those found in smartphones, tablets, and laptops. Like their smaller cousins, they’re rechargeable.

Charging, From Home to Work

Electric vehicles draw most of their power from charging stations, both publically available ones and electric vehicle chargers installed in the home. Public charging stations are typically found in places like shopping malls, in the parking lots of many government buildings, and in locations close to public mass transportation, like train stations.

A growing number of workplaces are installing charging stations, as are many condominium and apartment buildings. Many universities are also providing facilities with electric vehicle chargers. The University of South Florida offers charging stations, and maps of recharging facilities are available online, like this ChargeHub page listing charging stations in and around Miami.

These chargers are commonly called EVSE, or Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment. There are three types, with the fastest—Level 3—most widely used in larger public installations. Level 1 and Level 2 chargers are more commonly installed in homes.

Bringing it Home

Level 1 EVSE allows an EV driver to plug into a standard 120-volt socket. These types of chargers are entirely sufficient to meet the needs of most commuters, charging a typical battery from empty to full overnight, or in around twelve hours.

Level 2 EVSE relies on a dedicated 240-volt circuit, is more powerful, and can charge a typical EV battery in just under four hours. Level 2 chargers can be installed virtually anywhere and use the same power supply and wiring used for larger home appliances like washers or dryers.

Great Options for South Florida

There are around 28,000 electric vehicles in Florida, making Florida second in the US, just behind California. There are many publically available Level 2 and 3 EVSE locations, with almost 2000 charging stations in the greater Miami area alone. Florida EV drivers currently qualify to travel in the state’s HOV and Express Lanes for free, and state and local governments plan more incentives.

If you drive an electric vehicle or are thinking of purchasing one and would like to have EVSE installed in your home, contact Sebastian Eilert Architecture to discuss your options. Also available by email or phone to help with all of your architectural and interior design project needs, Mr. Eilert is proud of his commitment to the environment. He is recognized as one of the thirty most influential sustainable design architects in the world, is US Green Building Council accredited, and is proud to serve on the City of Miami Green Commission.