Home Charging Station - FAQ



Charging Stations


How do I know if the charging station connector is compatible with my vehicle?

All the charging stations on the ChargeHub website come with a SAE J1772 connector, which is compatible with all electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles in North America. Tesla cars are equipped with a different connector, but a Tesla - SAE J1772 adapter is included with every Tesla.


Why do I need a level 2 charging station if a charger was already included with my car?

The biggest advantage of owning a level 2 charging station is the ability to charge your EV up to five times quicker than with the car's charger (110V charger). This means that your vehicle will be fully charged every morning and that a short charge will allow you to go farther.


What differentiates a charging station from another?

Charging stations usually differentiate themselves in terms of power, cable length, aesthetic, and if they can be installed outside. In order to choose the right station, it's important to know your needs. We encourage you to read our guide on choosing your station to help you choose your station.


What do smart charging stations offer that the others don't?

Smart chargers give you access to a variety of functions that others do not. For example, some stations allow you to see your charging data, remotely start your charging, and control the access to your charger with an app on your smart phone.


How much power do I need my station to have?

The power needed depends on the power acceptance of your electric or vehicle. You can check out this page to find out what is the optimal power suggested for your car. A 30A (7.2kW) charger is enough for most cars. A 40A (9.6kW) station might be useful in the long run, as future generations of EVs might have a higher power acceptance than current EVs.


How fast can I charge with a level 2 charging station?

The time it takes to charge depends on the car. In most cases, a 30A station allows you to charge up to five times faster than 110V charging, whereas a 40A station allows up to 7 times faster charging.


Can a level 2 home charging station be installed outside?

Most home charging stations are made for indoor and outdoor installation and work well from -30°C to 50°C (-22°F to 122°F). If you plan on charging outside, we recommend that you verify this aspect since some chargers are only made for inside purposes.


What is the ideal cable length?

We strongly suggest that you get a cable that is at least 18 ft. long so you can charge your car no matter how it is parked (front or back).


Is it possible that my station might get stolen outside?

While stations installed outside are more easily stolen, especially portable models, most of them can be locked with a padlock to prevent it from being stolen. If you want to install your charging station outside, we highly recommend you to choose a station with an anti-theft feature.


What does the warranty cover on a home charging station?

Charging station warranties usually last three years and cover the charging station as well as its cables.


What should I do if I plan on charging in multiple locations? ex: house and cottage

Some station models are portable and can be plugged to avoid having to purchase a second charging station. You will need to have an outlet installed in every location in order to plug the station there.



Ordering with ChargeHub


How do I order my charging station?

On any ChargeHub product page, select the station model that you wish to purchase and order to be taken to the checkout. You will usually receive your station within three days after ordering. Once your station has been purchased, you can claim your government rebate if applicable.


How long is shipping with ChargeHub?

Depending on the selected shipping method, your station should arrive within 1 to 3 or 4 to 7 days, depending on the station.


Subsidies


What are the available rebates in Canada for the purchase of a level 2 home charging station?

Some provinces offer subsidies for the purchase and installation of a level 2 home charging station:


How do I claim my rebate after purchasing my station?

To claim your rebate, you must fill out a government form and send it yourself. ChargeHub helps you through this process by sending you the relevant form with your station's order confirmation.


Installation


How do I install a level 2 home charging station?

ChargeHub recommends that you get a master electrician install your station. This is a requirement for receiving your government rebate on the installation. You can view our qualified master electrician directory to find one near you.


How do I find an electrician to install a home charging station?

You can view our qualified master electrician directory to find one near you. This directory is driven by our community, and we would appreciate it if you could contribute to it and review your electrician once they've installed your station.


What size breaker do I need for a level 2 charging station?

A breaker has to protect 120% of its charge. Therefore, its size depends on the amperage of your charging station. For a 30A charging station, you need a 40A breaker, whereas a 40A charger requires a 50A breaker. If you don't have enough space on your breaker panel, you can ask an electrician to reorganize your circuits or decrease the amperage of your charging station. We recommend that you contact an electrician for a safe installation.


What kind of cabling do I need to install a level 2 charging station?

For a 30A charging station with a NEMA 6-50 plug, the required cabling is a copper 8-2, while 40A charger with a NEMA 14-50 plug requires a copper 6-3 or an aluminum 4-3 ACWU. We recommend that you contact an electrician for a safe installation.


How much does it cost to install a home charging station?

For a simple scenario where the breaker panel is in the same room as the charging station, you can expect a cost of around $250 for 1 hour of work. For a more complicated scenario where the breaker panel is in the basement and the charging station is outside, it you might expect a cost of around $800-$900 for 5 hours of work. The only way to get an accurate estimate for your installation is by contacting an electrician. A rebate on the installation may also be available in your area.