Charging times differ drastically depending on where you choose to charge your EV.
Note - not all EVs are capable of charging at the charger's maximum power level. See car manufacturer details before choosing your EV.
All EV manufacturers provide a standard cord-set that allows you to charge your vehicle using any standard plug. This is referred to as Level 1 charging and provides the slowest speed of charging, but gives you a charging option no matter where you are. It may take up to 48 hours to get a full charge.
Most EV drivers choose to install a Level 2 charging station at home. Since all electric cars and charging stations sold in North America use the same plug standard, any EV can use any Level 2 station across Canada and the United States. Level 2 stations have similar electrical requirements to a clothes dryer or stove (240 Volts/30 Amps) and any certified electrician can install them. A full charge can be reached in as little as 4 hours, depending on your EV’s range.
An EV charging station is a high voltage appliance that has similar electrical requirements to a clothes dryer or stove (240 Volts/30 Amps). If installed improperly, it can potentially be very dangerous, much like any other electrical appliance.
The Québec Construction Code requires electrical work to be carried out by an electrical contractor licensed by Régie du Bâtiment du Québec.
Also, the government rebate will not be granted without proof of installation from a licensed electrician.
Your home’s electrical service may need to be upgraded to accommodate your charging station. Whether you have a pool, a hot tub, an electric furnace, an electric boiler, a second kitchen, or anything that could potentially represent a significant draw on your main panel, you will need to have a licensed electrician determine if an upgrade is required.
EV charging stations come with a cord that varies between 18 ft to 25 ft, depending on the manufacturer. There are no cord extension options. It’s important to plan ahead and determine the distance between your typical parking location and where you will have the charging station installed. Make sure that the cord will reach all the way to your car’s charging port.
Most chargers are hard wired. A certified electrician is required to install a new electrical line from your main panel to where the charging station will be installed.
Plug-in chargers are also available on the market, however they can only be plugged into a dryer plug (NEMA outlet). A certified electrician is required to install this new line and outlet as well.
Before an electrical product or piece of equipment is used, sold, displayed or advertised for sale in Canada, it needs to be approved by a certification agency. An EV charging station is no different. Make sure that the station you are buying carries the official mark of a recognized accreditation agency.
All charging stations sold and installed by CHARGE Montreal are accredited and approved for sale in Canada.
Electric vehicles use a lot of power and many homes, especially older ones, require an electrical panel upgrade. Another factor can be the amount of space available in your electrical panel. If you do need a panel upgrade, a permit request must be filled out and sent to Hydro Québec. CHARGE Montreal will take care of the entire permit process for you.
Level 2 public charging is often referred to as destination or opportunity charging. It’s a great solution if you plan on staying in one location for several hours or are looking for a place to top-up. All Level 2 public charging stations, except Tesla, use the same plug standard, which means any car from any brand can use any Level 2 station across Canada and the United States.
Some Level 2 public charging stations are free-to-use, while others are pay-per-use, the average cost is $1.00/Hour or $2.50/Charge.
If you are going on a road-trip, but don't have the time to stop and use a Level 2 charging station, then Level 3 is the quick charging option you are looking for. Level 3 charging stations are gas station replacements for electric cars that will charge your battery from empty to 80% in 30-45 minutes.
There are three plug standards for Level 3. Tesla has a unique standard that only Tesla vehicles can use. All other North American and European manufacturers use SAE-Combo and most Asian manufacturers use CHAdeMO. Fortunately, most Level 3 stations have both SAE-Combo and CHAdeMO attached, which means any car from any brand can use any Level 3 charging station across Canada and the United States.
Most Level 3 charging stations are pay-per-use and most of them bill by the minute for an average cost of $15/Hour.
Note - not all EVs are capable of charging at the charger's maximum power level. See car manufacturer details before choosing your EV.
There are more than 5,000 public charging stations in Canada, but finding them can sometimes be a challenge. PlugShare, ChargeHub and Tesla provide public charging maps that track the location and operating status of every public charging station across North America in real-time. All platforms provide search filters that can help you find public charging stations along your route.
Installing charging stations in condominium parking lots is a much more complicated and expensive process compared to a single-family home, however the government rebates are significantly higher. The process must include the condo board, which may delay the process, but there are plans in place to make it easier for condo corporations and residents to have charging stations installed.
CHARGE Montreal will present a feasibility assessment to the condo board, as well as provide the board with cost analysis and different installation options for their review.
Most electric vehicle or plug-in hybrid owners decide to have a 240V charging station installed in front of their home or in their garage, as home is where they do most of their charging.
Charging at home overnight with a Level 2 station is the best solution for getting the range you'll need for daily, local driving. The beauty of a Level 2 charger is that you can plug your EV in at home with a nearly depleted battery and have it waiting for you with a full charge the next morning.
It costs approximately $1 for a full charge. If the vehicle only needs a partial charge, it will cost less. If the vehicle is mostly charged at home every night, the annual energy cost is estimated at $300 (for 20,000 km per year).
The cost to install can vary drastically from case to case, depending on several factors. The potential need to upgrade the home’s electrical panel, the distance from the electrical panel to the desired location of the charger and the complexity of running a new wire to the charger are a few examples of how installation costs can vary, even when comparing neighbouring homes.
Keep in mind that your electrician can not apply for the government rebate on the home owner’s behalf, therefore the invoice will never include such a deduction. The paid invoice must be submitted to the government in order to qualify for the rebate, which is paid directly to the home owner.