When I was in high school, considering a career in the trades was decidedly out of style. The thinking in those days is that trade work was only for people who could not hack college. Times sure have changed. If you need an example, look no further than electric vehicles (EVs) and home charging stations.
All the trades are in short supply of qualified workers right now. But the need is especially profound in the electrical trades. Between digitalization, electronic devices, the internet, and EVs, we are consuming more power than ever before. Keeping it flowing safely is the electrician’s job.
One estimate I saw last year suggests we’re going to need as many as 345,000 new electricians by the year 2028. I believe it. If EVs ever become the norm, someone is going to have to install all those home charging stations.
Convenience and Cost Savings
EV owners can recharge their vehicles at public charging stations. But doing so isn’t the most convenient thing in the world. I know of a station near to my house. It is almost always full and people are sitting there for an hour or longer to get a charge. It’s a lot more convenient to charge at home.
I am also guessing it is more cost effective. At home, you are buying electricity directly from your utility. Purchasing from a charging station is a lot like purchasing gas. You are paying the charging station for offering the service. So ultimately, you’re paying more.
That said, let us get back to the convenience issue. You spend a lot of time at home doing nothing. While you are watching TV, cooking, or even sleeping, your car can be charging. But go to a charging station and be prepared to give up an hour or two of your life.
Multiple Types of Chargers
SameDay is a Utah HVAC, plumbing, and electrical contractor servicing the Salt Lake City area. Home EV charger installation is one of the services they offer. They explain that there are different types of chargers broken down into two categories:
- Level 1 – Designed for a standard 120v household system. It provides the equivalent of 2-5 miles of range per hour of charging. Level 1 chargers are slow but effective.
- Level 2 – Designed for 240v systems. In a typical home, it requires a dedicated line and outlet. It can deliver the equivalent of 10-35 miles of range per charging hour.
The purchase of a new EV often includes a Level 1 charger. It’s sufficient if you don’t do a lot of driving. But if you have a long commute or take constant day trips, commonsense dictates you would want a Level 2 charger. That’s where hiring an electrician comes in.
Permits, Inspections, and Knowledge
Installing a home EV charger requires quite a bit of knowledge and skill. It also requires a building permit and a municipal inspection. EV charger installation is not a good job for a homeowner with minimal to moderate DIY skills.
It starts with getting the proper permits. Then the electrician assesses the home’s electrical system and chooses an appropriate location. Next, new wiring will be run from the home’s electrical panel to the exterior charging station. Finally, the work must be inspected before the charging station can be used.
I’m guessing that Level 2 chargers will be the default if EVs ever become the norm. If and when that day arrives, we are going to need a whole lot more electricians. Maybe skipping out on college and going to trade school would be a better idea.
