LEVEL UP YOUR KNOWLEDGE OF EV CHARGERS Ready or not, electric cars are coming...

LEVEL UP YOUR KNOWLEDGE OF EV CHARGERS

Ready or not, electric cars are coming…

BY PETER R.J. MILLS, CEO, WYSE METER SOLUTIONS INC.

All those forecasts about the future of electric cars dominating roadways in the next 20 years usually forget to mention one thing—every one of those vehicles will need a place to park (and charge). That means your success starts with preparing down in the garage.

Building owners and managers are making key decisions today about how to provide reliable EV charging solutions to future residents and visitors. For many, this decision-making process has required a rapid education—and more than a little frustration as they explore these complex systems.

Understandably, much of your work has likely focused on the chargers themselves. As these are the most visible part of any solution, let’s take a moment to understand them.

There are three levels of EV chargers, perhaps predictably named Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3. You’ll find that most multiresidential building owner and managers will land on installing Level 2 chargers.

Level 1 chargers are a first-gen technology that come with the purchase of an EV. They are slow to charge and completely impractical for a multiresidential setting (if you don’t have a wall outlet at every parking space). On the flip side, Level 3 chargers are way out of scale for your developments, as these superchargers are akin to installing a rest-stop sized gas station in the parkade.

Level 2 chargers dominate the multiresidential building market because, simply stated, they are the perfect tool for the job. They provide drivers great service while capable of not overtaxing a building’s electrical infrastructure. Level 2 chargers come in a range of options from Basic to Smart.

Level 2-Basic chargers are recommended for single homes or smaller multi-unit residential buildings with few designated charging spaces. While some can connect to wi-fi for simple tasks like live status updates, the chargers don’t have networking capability to communicate between other chargers. Load management becomes difficult, but not impossible, because of that fact. That networking gap can be overcome, however, usually in cases of retrofits, by deploying a smart panel where the basic chargers can connect.

Level 2-Smart chargers are recommended for public/visitor parking, as well as larger multi-unit residential buildings, where load management is a necessity. These chargers offer networking solutions that allow communications between the chargers and/or smart panel and let owners/managers include pay per hour charging for residents/visitors.

Interconnected chargers communicate with one another, balancing the electricity load by sharing and optimizing available electrical capacity. This efficiency allows you to expand your EV infrastructure and offer more chargers for residents without further taxing the building infrastructure.

Level 2-Smart chargers also offer different networking options: Closed networks allow chargers to communicate only within the same network which is managed by the manufacturer. Open networks adhere to open charge point protocol (OCPP) standards and can be easily read by any network of the building owner/managers choosing.

Choosing the networking depends on how you want to bill drivers. Certain networks allow billing by the hour, as well as smartphone payment. Submetering the chargers allows you to bill by the kWh, meaning a full charge costs the same no matter how long it takes, and residents living in submetered suites can have that charge added onto their monthly utility bill.

Available in single wall mount, single pedestal and double pedestal varieties, Level 2 chargers require a professional installation, including a 240V power source, but charge three to seven times faster. According to Charge Hub, that’s means a 200km charge in about five hours or 400km charge overnight.

The cost of installing Level 2 chargers varies. Retrofits for existing buildings at individual parking spaces spread out

LEVEL 2 CHARGERS DOMINATE THE MULTI-RESIDENTIAL BUILDING MARKET BECAUSE, SIMPLY STATED, THEY ARE THE PERFECT TOOL FOR THE JOB.”

around a garage, for example, may incur a higher expense, with some providers quoting several thousand dollars or more per electrified charger, and other providers offering no capital cost leasing programs. But in new builds, the base infrastructure can be installed relatively cheaply, even if the chargers themselves are added later.

THE FULL PACKAGE

Keep in mind that a complete EV charging solution is about much more than chargers. Leading solutions incorporate the latest technology, with design and installation, financing, metering and monitoring, access controls (e.g., including actual locks, RFID, apps, plug and charge), service, and expertise about everything from tech to government incentives.

Partners who provide holistic solutions are key to keeping projects like this on the road (or in the parking space, as the case may be), but no matter the direction you drive your project, staying in the smart lane of the garage will set you up for success.

Peter R.J. Mills, CEO, Wyse Meter Solutions Inc., a leading provider of utility submetering and utility expense management services, with over 200,000 suites under contract across Canada. Peter is always available for a chat or free project review at 1.416.709.0079 or pmills@wysemeter.com.

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