"Here's how you can get your management company to install level 1 charging in your garage" -Me, in a third story apartment with no garage and no access to an outdoor plug: 😶
My daily commute is 16 miles (ca. 26 km) round trip, I only have access to level one at my apartment and it works great. I plug in when I get home and by morning I'm ready to go. This video is one of the few that recommends level 1 charging, most don't. Some go as far as to say, “don't buy and EV if you can't level 2 charge at home." Good video. Thank you.
Level 1 is more than a "sometimes" solution. I went 2.5 years with my 2019 Kona Electric before I got my Level 2 charger installed at home. In those years I only used fast chargers when I was on serious trips, like the family Christmas trip Toronto -> NYC or Toronto -> Sudbury (~ 400 km/250 miles). Fact is, you sometimes need to drive a long way in one day, but you don't often need to drive a long way TWO DAYS IN A ROW. Especially if your daily commute is less than 80 km/50 miles round trip, you do not need Level 2 to save tonnes of gas and money with an EV.
A while back I lived in a large apartment complex and the one car garages were on a separate meter from the units. This was before I owned an electric car. A very long term renter bought an electric car after asking if it was ok to plug in his level 1 charger. The management went one step further. They installed a 240 volt receptacle in his garage for level 2 with the understanding he would pay a bit more rent for electricity usage. Before I moved out they upgraded 3 out of 12 garages in every building and now market EV charging to prospective tenants. Doesn't hurt to ask.
insightful video for what is a challening problem for apartment drivers looking for a way to plug in. Question: @3:40 you note a 1kW charging rate. on a 120v circuit that would mean a bit more than 8A going to the car. Did you have to set that charge rate in your car or is the L1 EVSE itself limiting the current?
Thanks! In this particular video, I did not limit my car’s AC charge rate, but that is something you can do, and I have a video about that. I find that I get a max pull of about 2.2 amps using this L1 EVSE. This video shows a more granular look at my L1 process and numbers. th-cam.com/video/4ubhZfx26F8/w-d-xo.htmlsi=190cU_ZKykVFiPj_
A low cost neutral-ground bonding plug likely would have enabled the EVSE to work with the ungrounded outlet (useful for floating neutral generators and portable power stations). But getting a proper GFCI was the way to go 👍🏻
Than one expensive solution is to spend apx 7,000 for a portable 240 Volt powerstation, which seems extreme, but than again, your prepared for emergeny's with loss power to your home, and you won't be be paying for gasoline,
My last Apt Garage was attached to my unit (and pwr panel). For detached garages, a number of network providers have programs where they manage chargers (billing) for the property owners. Why this? Simply to avoid way more complex wiring from individual units. Drop a hint to the managers that they might want to avoid the rush (delays) and provision (some) detached spaces for billed charging.
Good point! I know that Chargepoint, among others, has a similar program. Convincing apartment owners is challenging though. I think right now, for many of them, EV charging is too “future” oriented.
Interesting tip and points. Fortunately for me I'm a homeowner and have been using my 30 amp level 1 charger for the past three days and averaging 50 added miles nightly 🤓 However, I have already ordered my level 2 charger and hope to have installed next week. There are limited DC fast changes in Jackson, MS, USA 🥺 thanks for the videos and keep doing your thing. God bless,
I just started subscribing and watching your videos. I also live in Long Beach and I didn’t realize there were so many charging stations located in the city. I own an EV but I also have a level two charger installed in my house. I never realized how challenging it is for non-Tesla owners to attempt DC fast charging at commercial stations. Why is station reliability so bad?
Thanks for subbing! It is challenging- lots reason why, but network operators like EA, EVgo, Chargepoint etc, get grant money to install new chargers, but not to maintain them. Often times, the new chargers are poor quality, they get used by all the new EVs (there are many), they break, and the operators don’t bother to fix them. Take a peek at the PlugShare app to check out all the public chargers in LB!
Nothing like having solar panels and level 2 charger at home with proper installation,can you install 2 or 4 solar panels were you rent so you can charge your car only?
Do you think that is safe to charge an EV underneath where you sleep? I mean would you want your neighbors charging these under your bed? We just had a 4 houses burn down from these and what happened last night at the Rivian Plant yesterday?
So basically what you did was complain. Sounds like you've got too much free time on your hands just to search through municipal code just to get a charger in your apartment.
"Here's how you can get your management company to install level 1 charging in your garage"
-Me, in a third story apartment with no garage and no access to an outdoor plug: 😶
My daily commute is 16 miles (ca. 26 km) round trip, I only have access to level one at my apartment and it works great. I plug in when I get home and by morning I'm ready to go.
This video is one of the few that recommends level 1 charging, most don't. Some go as far as to say, “don't buy and EV if you can't level 2 charge at home."
Good video. Thank you.
It’s all about your daily commute. You’re welcome!
Level 1 is more than a "sometimes" solution. I went 2.5 years with my 2019 Kona Electric before I got my Level 2 charger installed at home. In those years I only used fast chargers when I was on serious trips, like the family Christmas trip Toronto -> NYC or Toronto -> Sudbury (~ 400 km/250 miles). Fact is, you sometimes need to drive a long way in one day, but you don't often need to drive a long way TWO DAYS IN A ROW. Especially if your daily commute is less than 80 km/50 miles round trip, you do not need Level 2 to save tonnes of gas and money with an EV.
Agreed! I wish more people who have level 1 home charging would actually use it!
This! That’s how I’ve using my 2021 Tesla Model 3 for the past year and a half.
A while back I lived in a large apartment complex and the one car garages were on a separate meter from the units. This was before I owned an electric car. A very long term renter bought an electric car after asking if it was ok to plug in his level 1 charger. The management went one step further. They installed a 240 volt receptacle in his garage for level 2 with the understanding he would pay a bit more rent for electricity usage. Before I moved out they upgraded 3 out of 12 garages in every building and now market EV charging to prospective tenants. Doesn't hurt to ask.
Smart landlords! Absolutely doesn’t hurt to ask.
And grounded outlets are required by law during a retrofit. If it's no ground originally then it can stay until you update the construction
Excellent point!
insightful video for what is a challening problem for apartment drivers looking for a way to plug in.
Question: @3:40 you note a 1kW charging rate. on a 120v circuit that would mean a bit more than 8A going to the car. Did you have to set that charge rate in your car or is the L1 EVSE itself limiting the current?
Thanks! In this particular video, I did not limit my car’s AC charge rate, but that is something you can do, and I have a video about that. I find that I get a max pull of about 2.2 amps using this L1 EVSE. This video shows a more granular look at my L1 process and numbers. th-cam.com/video/4ubhZfx26F8/w-d-xo.htmlsi=190cU_ZKykVFiPj_
A low cost neutral-ground bonding plug likely would have enabled the EVSE to work with the ungrounded outlet (useful for floating neutral generators and portable power stations). But getting a proper GFCI was the way to go 👍🏻
That’s a great tip- and useful for the future!
That’s nice but the apartment I live in has no garages or outdoor outlets.
Than one expensive solution is to spend apx 7,000 for a portable 240 Volt powerstation, which seems extreme, but than again,
your prepared for emergeny's with loss power to your home, and you won't be be paying for gasoline,
My last Apt Garage was attached to my unit (and pwr panel). For detached garages, a number of network providers have programs where they manage chargers (billing) for the property owners. Why this? Simply to avoid way more complex wiring from individual units. Drop a hint to the managers that they might want to avoid the rush (delays) and provision (some) detached spaces for billed charging.
Good point! I know that Chargepoint, among others, has a similar program. Convincing apartment owners is challenging though. I think right now, for many of them, EV charging is too “future” oriented.
what about garden apartments with no garages
Interesting tip and points. Fortunately for me I'm a homeowner and have been using my 30 amp level 1 charger for the past three days and averaging 50 added miles nightly 🤓 However, I have already ordered my level 2 charger and hope to have installed next week. There are limited DC fast changes in Jackson, MS, USA 🥺 thanks for the videos and keep doing your thing. God bless,
Thank you! EV ownership is definitely more challenging in areas with sparse public charging. Glad to hear that you're level-ing up to level 2!
I just started subscribing and watching your videos. I also live in Long Beach and I didn’t realize there were so many charging stations located in the city. I own an EV but I also have a level two charger installed in my house. I never realized how challenging it is for non-Tesla owners to attempt DC fast charging at commercial stations. Why is station reliability so bad?
Thanks for subbing! It is challenging- lots reason why, but network operators like EA, EVgo, Chargepoint etc, get grant money to install new chargers, but not to maintain them. Often times, the new chargers are poor quality, they get used by all the new EVs (there are many), they break, and the operators don’t bother to fix them. Take a peek at the PlugShare app to check out all the public chargers in LB!
Do those subsidies allow for an upgrade to a Level 2 charger? Could be worth looking into...
That’s exactly what is available for building owners who want it. Problem is getting those folks to be forward thinking!
Nothing like having solar panels and level 2 charger at home with proper installation,can you install 2 or 4 solar panels were you rent so you can charge your car only?
Solar powered level 2 is a game changer, I’m sure. Unfortunately, installing solar is up to apartment building owners, not renters.
Do you think that is safe to charge an EV underneath where you sleep? I mean would you want your neighbors charging these under your bed?
We just had a 4 houses burn down from these and what happened last night at the Rivian Plant yesterday?
Yes. The myth that EVs pose a greater or more deadly fire risk than ICE cars has been busted.
Is it possible for a level 2 charger to be installed in an apartment?
Yes, it is possible. It can be complex though, which is why several network providers offer services for tracking the energy used, as well as billing.
I hope you are loving your VW EV!
I love it!
In Europe there are millions of apartments without garages.... you need to think again
Level 1?
Shhhh, best kept secret for renters !
Lmao 2 miles per hour
So basically what you did was complain. Sounds like you've got too much free time on your hands just to search through municipal code just to get a charger in your apartment.
Troublemaker!
That’s fair!