Andrew Taddoni, director of business development and product development for Leviton’s EVSE business and Will Lammey, associate product manager, for Leviton’s EVSE, Commercial and Residential unit, said with the number of electrical vehicles purchased doubling each year, there will be enormous demand for residential, commercial and high-speed charging systems. Taddoni said that in 2021 more than 6.5 million EVs were sold in the United States and that there are 53,000 commercial or high-speed EV charging stations currently installed. He said that when you consider the estimates that by 2030, one-third of all vehicles sold in this country will be EVs.
Taddoni said that some key installation issues to consider in the planning stage for a commercial installation include:
- Number of charging stations needed and number of parking spots
- Distance to electrical service
- Physical barriers to protect equipment and any necessary signage
- Lighting and security cameras to prevent vandalism
- Mounting accessories
- Electrical system equipment to order, including surge suppression equipment, energy management meters and all components for dedicated electrical circuits, such as breakers, cables, disconnect switches
- Availability of internet service for network communication
- Weather considerations
- Cord management
- Space for cooling (liquid vs. air)
Lammey and Taddoni also said contractors should familiarize themselves with the National Electrical Code’s Art. 625 on Electric Vehicle Power Transfer Systems and ask their suppliers about any available EV training programs. “There’s a whole lot more than just the charger,” Taddoni said. “It’s operating as its own electrical ecosystem.“
