ev charger after it has been installed

Where Can I Charge My Electric Vehicle In Los Angeles

ev charger after it has been installedElectric vehicles (EVs) are gaining popularity due to their eco-friendly nature and cost-effectiveness compared to traditional gas-powered vehicles. In Los Angeles, the number of EVs on the roads is rapidly increasing, making it necessary for owners to know where they can charge their vehicles. This article will provide information on where you can charge your EV in Los Angeles and why you should consider installing an EV charger at home.

Public Charging Stations: In Los Angeles, there are numerous public charging stations located in different areas, including shopping centers, grocery stores, parks, and parking lots. Some of the most popular public charging networks in the city are ChargePoint, Tesla Superchargers, and EVgo. These charging networks offer a range of charging options, including Level 2 and Level 3 charging, which can fully charge your vehicle in just a few hours.

Workplace Charging: Many workplaces in Los Angeles are installing EV charging stations to support employees who drive EVs. By offering charging options at work, employees can charge their vehicles during the day, making it convenient for them to commute. This also helps reduce the number of EVs on the road during peak hours, reducing congestion and improving air quality.

Residential Charging: For EV owners who live in Los Angeles, one of the best options is to install an EV charger at home. Having a home charger eliminates the need to search for a charging station, and it allows you to charge your vehicle overnight, so it’s ready to go in the morning. Home charging is also cost-effective, as it eliminates the need to pay for charging at public stations.

Benefits of Installing an EV Charger at Home:

  1. Convenience: Having a home charger makes it easy to charge your EV whenever you need to, without having to go to a public charging station.
  2. Cost-effective: Home charging eliminates the need to pay for charging at public stations, which can add up over time.
  3. Faster charging: Home chargers are typically Level 2 chargers, which can charge an EV faster than a Level 1 charger found at public stations.
  4. Increased property value: Installing an EV charger at home can increase your property value, making it an investment in your home.

In conclusion, Los Angeles has a growing network of public charging stations, and many workplaces are also installing EV charging options for employees. However, having a home charger is the most convenient and cost-effective option for EV owners in the city. If you’re considering buying an EV, consider installing an EV charger at home to make charging your vehicle as easy and convenient as possible.

The Electric Connection is a Los Angeles-based electrical contracting company specializing in the installation of electric vehicle (EV) chargers. The company offers a range of services, including home charging station installation, workplace charging station installation, and public charging station installation. The Electric Connection has a team of experienced electricians who can handle all aspects of the installation process, from obtaining necessary permits to testing and commissioning the charging stations. By providing convenient and cost-effective EV charging options, The Electric Connection is helping to promote the widespread adoption of EVs in Los Angeles.

blue electric vehicle charging

How Do Electric Vehicles Impact Electric Bills?

blue electric vehicle chargingElectric vehicles have become more common these past few years and have begun to take over from gas-run vehicles.

One reason people turn to electric vehicles is because they are generally less expensive. You can charge them at home before you drive out, and you don’t have to make any stops on the road to “refill your tank”.

Also known as Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs), an electric vehicle has in place of an internal combustion engine and an electric motor.

But are electric vehicles truly less expensive? What does it really cost to own one?

Does it affect your electric bill that much?

Are Electric Vehicles Inexpensive?

When compared to an internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle, an electric vehicle is less expensive because while ICEs require a lot of maintenance, an electric vehicle does not require much of the maintenance required for an ICE.

For example, ICEs may get oil leakages from time to time, and need fixing. They also need new spark plugs often, fresh oil and filtered fuel, and new brake pads for when the old ones fail. Now that is a lot to handle, whereas an electric vehicle does not need any of these.

Much of the components you’ll find in an ICE are not in the EV, which means less cost of maintenance.

Does Charging an Electric Vehicle Affect Electric Bills?

As far as charging an EV goes, it impacts electric bills, no doubt. You’ll be paying for extra electricity consumption, but, don’t be scared, it will only be a moderate increase.

Your electricity bill, however, will depend on the normal cost of electricity in your area.

Although charging EVs affects electric bills, it’s still less expensive than an ICE.

What is the Actual Cost for Charging an Electric Car?

The cost of charging an electric vehicle varies based on the electricity rate in every given region, the car you own, or the charger you install.

Regardless, it costs an average of $50 to $100 to charge an EV in a month.

Depending on what kind of charger you use, your EV can be fully charged in three hours or you may have to charge it through the night to have a fully charged battery.

A level one charger can work for overnight charging, but a level 2 charger (240V) can charge your EV in three hours.

Electric vehicles are worth the hype, and research shows that owning an EV saves about $4600 in maintenance—less than what it takes to maintain an internal combustion engine vehicle.

Not only is it cost-effective, but it is also energy efficient, and the carbon emissions from an ICE that results from fuel use are significantly lower than an EV.

If you are considering purchasing a vehicle, these are good enough reasons to opt for an EV. Don’t worry about your home charger installation. The Electric Connection handles this perfectly with our team of licensed and experienced electrical professionals. Give us a call!

inside of tesla vehicle displaying dashboard

What Happens if Tesla runs out of charge?

inside of tesla vehicle displaying dashboardElectric cars, especially Tesla, seem to be the newest evolution when it comes to automobiles. Especially with their eco-friendly specifications, such as reduced noise and air pollution.

However, since EVs run on electricity, you may find yourself suddenly stuck, if your battery runs out.

What Happens if Tesla runs out of charge?

Before a Tesla runs out of charge, it issues warnings a couple of times. Eventually, though, if the warnings are ignored, it will come to a halt.

If this happens, you’ll need to hire a flatbed truck to come to pick it up and transport it to the nearest charging station.

While Driving The Tesla Does The Following

The Tesla alerts you when you’ve gone beyond the range of all known charges. It notifies you that you’re leaving a recognized charging region.

If you’re driving to a location, the Tesla will calculate the remaining range and distance to your destination. You’re frequently passing through a SuperCharger on your way to the next SuperCharger. If your energy consumption is much higher than planned while you’re near the final SuperCharger, Tesla will tell you to go back to it and charge some more.

If you’re running low on power and approaching your destination, Tesla will suggest a particular speed reduction to guarantee you arrive safely. It may, for example, advise driving at 65 mph rather than 75 mph. Every few minutes, it will remind you again. It will also adjust the recommended speed as necessary. These warnings are difficult to dismiss.

The battery sign becomes yellow and eventually red as the remaining range drops below 10%

There’s still hope if you’re still out of range of a charging station. Your Tesla isn’t going to die on you. Even when your range has been reduced to zero, it has a few over 10-20 kilometers.

This isn’t to say you should bank on it, but knowing that you can drive at 65 mph for that 20-10 miles gives you some hope that you’ll make it to your destination and charge it up is reassuring.

A buffer is the number of extra miles you get in a Tesla. You won’t be able to maintain a 65mph speed until it runs out. Instead, you’ll find your car slowing down gradually. It allows you plenty of time to pull over to the side of the road and park while you plan your next move.

Your Tesla will warn you it won’t be able to drive for a while as it slows down to roughly 15 mph, and then it will come to a halt and park itself.

You’ll need to call for roadside help or a tow truck to go to the nearest charging station at this point. To avoid damage to your Tesla, make sure it is transported on a flatbed. When roadside help arrives, put the automobile in “transport mode” so that the tow truck drivers can simply pull it into the tow truck.

Install a Tesla Wall Connector or other charger at home to help with this issue.

charging nissan leaf at home at night

Can a Nissan Leaf Charge at a Tesla Charging Station?

charging nissan leaf at home at nightIf you just got a Nissan Leaf or are planning to get one, one of the many questions you probably have is whether you can charge your Nissan Leaf at a Tesla Charging Station.

Those Tesla superchargers are everywhere and they are sweet. It would be nice if you could get some of that too for your Nissan Leaf.

So, the big question is, will you be able to charge your Nissan Leaf at a Tesla Charging Station?

Unfortunately, the answer is No

Why Can You Not Charge a Nissan Leaf with a Tesla Charger?

You cannot use a Tesla charger on a Nissan Leaf because Tesla’s charging connector can only work on a Tesla car, especially if it is a Tesla Supercharger.

Tesla is the sole proprietor of its charger, and handles everything from the power delivery, to payment and control via the car’s infotainment system. This does not give room for this charger to work on a different EV except Tesla somehow decides to open up its network and protocols to other automobile manufacturers.

Plus, the plug design of the Tesla is quite unique and it is impossible for the Nissan Leaf charging cable to directly plug into its Supercharger/destination charger.

How Do You Fast Charge Your Nissan Leaf?

The Nissan Leaf uses a different fast-charging connector known as CHAdeMO. This means, instead of looking to a Tesla Supercharger, you will have to search for an EV Charging station that allows for CHAdeMO charging.

Some stations that support CHAdeMO are ChargePoint, Electrify America and EVGo. You can also search for charging stations using the PlugShare app – simply install the app, register and it will search for charging stations closest to you that support your car’s charging type.

Will Tesla Ever Accommodate Other EVs?

It is difficult to tell whether this will ever happen, but there have been rumors that Tesla will in fact let other EVs charge cars with its supercharger. The details are still unclear but this may mean a lot of things, both for other EVs and Tesla.

For the Nissan Leaf, its fast-charging days are looking bleak with Tesla not opening up to it and Electrify America stopping installation of fresh CHAdeMO plugs in its new stations.

Tesla allowing Nissan Leaf to use its Supercharger will be a big deal, especially for the older Nissan Leaf versions because these cars have a limited range and it is difficult to find charging stations that support its charging.

The downside to Tesla accommodating Nissan Leaf charging is how long it takes for a Nissan Leaf EV to charge completely. On average, it takes about an hour, and this may be inconvenient for Tesla cars.

In conclusion, it would be a great thing for Nissan Leaf if Tesla’s Supercharger could accommodate it. However, it may not be such a great thing for Tesla. It is best to have your own EV home charging station so that you can charge your Nissan Leaf whenever you want and for as long as you want, especially overnight.

Book an appointment with us at The Electric Connection to install a home EV charging station.

What to do when Tesla Charger is flashing red?

tesla wall connectorSo you finally have your Tesla charger installed and after some time you notice a flashing red light.

Red hardly ever means well, so you’re right to worry about it.

We’ve gathered the troubleshooting tips you need to handle this situation on your own or with a Tesla certified electrician.

If the light is a solid red

A solid red light on your Tesla charger could mean an internal fault and that the wall connector needs to be replaced. An electrician can confirm this. But your troubleshooting solution is to turn off the breaker supplying your Tesla charger with power and turn it back on.

If there’s no change and you still see the solid red light, contact Tesla with your product information.

If you see one red blink

One red blink on your Tesla charger could mean there’s a GFCI. Start your solution with an inspection of all the parts, including the handle, cable, Wall Connector, and vehicle charge port for damage or signs of water ingress.

Then, call an electrician to check that the ground wire is not directly connected to a conductor wire in the branch circuit.

If you see two red blinks

Two red blinks indicate a different problem from one red blink. It might mean there’s a ground assurance fault or possibly a high ground resistance has been detected.

Call an electrician to see if your charger is properly grounded or if any physical connections have such issues.

For three red blinks

This indicates a high temperature detected by your charger.

Inspect the physical parts of the wall connector, including the faceplate and cable, for warmth. Regardless of if you notice excessive warmth or not, call an electrician quickly to verify that the conductors used are sized correctly and there’s no danger from the connector.

For four red blinks

Thankfully, four red blinks just mean a disruption with the internet connection. Check for the cause of this interference. Like a changed password, working router, etc.

Fixing the reason should solve the problem.

For Five Red Blinks

If your Tesla charger is flashing red in five red blinks, it could mean there was a power-sharing communication issue. Hence, the charging speed has been reduced. Troubleshooting this is just like that of four red blinks, check for the interference, and try re-linking your wall connector.

When no lights come on

It’s not just flashing red lights you might have to worry about. An absence of light from your Tesla charger means there is no power supply coming in from the breaker panel.

Check if the breaker was turned off. Switch it on and off yourself and if there are no changes, call an electrician to check.

For Six Red Blinks

Flashing red lights 6 times means there’s too much voltage or poor grid quality detected. If you’re using the level 2 charger, the power supply should be nominal 200-240 volts. Have an electrician remove the Wall Connector from the wire box and confirm that voltage readings are correct.

For most problems with your wall connector, you can either reach out to Tesla or call an electrician to take a look.

 

Do I Need To Charge My Tesla Every Night

telsa charger installed at homeThis question is more common than you think and often asked by new Tesla owners. You’d want to know if there is any risk involved with charging your electric vehicle daily or not charging as much. In this article, we have gathered all the facts to help you decide on what’s best for your EV.

What Tesla says

You may have heard the funny phrase ‘A plugged-in Tesla is a happy Tesla’. This phrase comes from what Tesla says in the owner’s manual about battery charging –

“The most important way to preserve the Battery is to leave your vehicle plugged in when you are not using it. This is particularly important if you are not planning to drive Model S for several weeks. Model S wakes up when needed to automatically maintain a charge level that maximizes the lifetime of the Battery. There is no advantage to waiting until the Battery’s level is low before charging. In fact, the Battery performs better when charged regularly,”

From this, you can see it’s safe to charge your Tesla not just every night, but every time it’s not being used.

The manual also gives more suggestions on charging your vehicle the right way.

tesla charging

Setting a charging limit

Tesla owner’s manual also recommends setting a charging limit for your vehicle to 80-90%. Besides, your Tesla is already set to a default charging limit of 90%. If you’re wondering about the minimum low battery limit for your EV, the manual equally states to stay above 20% if possible.

Everything Tesla says about battery charging boils down to driving between 90% and 20% of total battery capacity. For many drivers, that’s more than enough for their daily miles.

Benefits of charging every night and using Tesla’s recommendations

The benefits include:

  • Charging every day increases the range available to you for driving.
  • Using only between 90 and 20% of your battery capacity helps to extend battery life. This is because Lithium-ion batteries are prone to damage when in the very high and very low ends of the charge spectrum.
  • Also, when you charge your Tesla every night, you make up for the amount of battery life drained by Tesla’s auxiliary system each time your car is idle.

Drawbacks to charging your Tesla every night.

tesla mobile connector
Tesla Mobile Connector Bundle, Photo courtesy of Tesla
While all we have explained so far says it’s okay and even necessary to charge your Tesla every night, there are still drawbacks to consider before deciding for yourself.

Charging daily increases energy loss used in preconditioning or heating the battery for charging. There is also the cost of electricity and an increase in your battery cycle count.

Conclusion:

If you’re like most Americans who drive an average of 37 miles per day, you could easily skip charging for a few days and still have enough battery capacity for your use.

Charging fewer days a week at night or in off-peak electricity pricing periods will help you deal with the drawbacks listed above and increase the battery life of your Tesla.

Looking for a way to charge your Tesla at home? Contact us, your Los Angeles Tesla Certified electricians.

Installing Tesla Charger in Los Angeles Condo

tesla charger installed on outside wallWhen you are an electric vehicle owner, dealing with charging becomes the next thing to do. For some, it’s easy to stick to public charging options. For others, home charging options are the best, but the same rules do not apply to every home.

If you are living in a condo or apartment, the power to your home comes from a house panel that serves all occupants. This means it won’t be so easy to just install a Tesla charger without approaching your building manager.

Since many occupants share the power from a panel, the building manager can’t allow occupants to install individual charging units. The reason is that such installations will overwhelm the panel in the long run.

Does this mean you have no choice but to depend on public Tesla chargers? Not exactly. It’s possible to get a Tesla charger installation in your Los Angeles condo by following certain steps, working with the right electrician, and knowing the problems to avoid.

Read on as we guide you through it.

  1. Start by locating your service panel
  2. In your Los Angeles condo, the service panel may not be in an accessible area. However, to even begin the process of installing a Tesla charger in your condo or apartment, you have to locate this service panel. Once found, a professional electrician can help you find out if the panel can accommodate another breaker or the charger installation.

  1. Know the parking arrangement
  2. From knowing what your panel can and can’t carry and its location, you can move on to your parking arrangement. Where you park your EV is vital to install a charging unit. Parking arrangements in a condo or apartment usually include assigned parking spots, shared parking lots, or personal garages that can be inside or outside.

    Level 2 EV chargers often come with a cord that is up to 20ft long. Hence, identifying your parking arrangement helps to know what is involved in running power from the main panel to the spot where the Tesla charger can reach your vehicle.

  1. Meet your building manager
  2. This is usually where it gets tricky for EV drivers in condos or apartments. After you’ve determined the factors above, you will need to send a request to your HOA or building inspector/manager. Some managers who are familiar with installing EV chargers can help you through the process and granting permission. While others may make you go through a series of hoops or refuse to grant permission.

To help with your request, here are some things you should include;

  • The charging station you need – Level 1 or Level 2.
  • Where the charging unit will be installed.
  • Any construction implications.
  • The real estate benefits of installing an EV charger.
  • Who will pay for the installation, charger maintenance, and electricity costs?
  • Access to a licensed electrician to install the Tesla charger.
  • A permit from the city.

A licensed electrician will get the permit from the city and be able to provide insight on most of the details you need such as the type of charging station and installation details.

How to Become Tesla Certified Electrician

Please note: We do not certify electricians for Tesla. You will need to contact Tesla for more information or questions.

tesla certified installerIf there’s anything we know about Tesla, it’s that they keep doing better and better. This leads to more people wanting to join the movement for sustainability by owning one of their sleek vehicles.

More EV drivers on the roads increase the need for home charger installations. It’s not surprising because a home charging station offers convenience and reliability. This is where hiring an electrician for the installation also comes in.

The term Tesla certified electrician simply means an electrician or company that has undergone training by Tesla and is certified as a capable installer.

Becoming a Tesla certified electrician comes with many benefits such as:

  • Having the certification shows that you invest in your career as an electrician and you probably have more knowledge and experience than others in your field.
  • You get to stay updated with the latest trends in consumer and industrial electricity.
  • You will be shown to EV drivers in your area as a Tesla certified electrician.
  • Tesla always recommends that owners get their charging equipment installed and serviced by one of their certified electricians.

How to become a Tesla certified electrician

When you decide this program and its certification are just right for you, you’ll have to apply for it. The application is done via the Tesla website and you will be required to fill a form. Here is some information Tesla will ask you to provide in the form:

  • Your full name
  • Email address and phone number
  • Region
  • Address
  • Company name
  • Products you will work with
  • The number of installations you hope to install in a year?
  • Company address
  • Website
  • Number of employees
  • The certifications/licenses you currently have
  • Insurance document

The data may depend on if you are an independent electrician or electrical contractor/company. Further directions will be given after you submit the form. Due to great interest, the form and program may not be available at any given time.

What to expect?

As a Tesla certified installer, you would often be required to take the pictures of your completed installations and send them to Tesla.

You would need to have an electrical license and be an electrician to apply for this certification.

Please note: We do not certify electricians for Tesla. You will need to contact Tesla for more information or questions.

The Electric Connection is proud to be featured as a Tesla certified installer. We are currently installing multiple Tesla and other electric vehicle charging units and receptacles daily. It’s usually a simple job for our electricians to tackle and we’re happy to help out! Complete this simple online form for a free quote emailed to you in minutes.

Troubleshooting Your Tesla Wall Connector

tesla wiringAs reliable as your Tesla Wall Connector may seem, it’s not far-fetched for problems to come up. Sometimes these issues are easy to troubleshoot on your own. Other times, professional help may be needed. Here are some tips and troubleshooting solutions for your Tesla Wall Connector.

No lights on your Tesla Wall Connector

When you turn your Wall Connector on, the indication of power is the lights. If that doesn’t happen it means you have a power supply problem with no power coming from the breaker panel. This applies especially when your Wall Connector has been working fine before.

To solve this problem, check that the power supply is on. This needs a minimal knowledge of your breaker panel and how it works. It usually involves flipping a breaker back into the on position. If nothing changes, it’s likely time to call an electrician.

The electrician will remove the Wall Connector and check that there is voltage present and fix any issues with the breaker panel that may be the root cause.

The Wall Connector shows a solid red

If you have been using your Tesla Wall Connector for a while, seeing a solid red will stand out to you because the Wall Connector usually comes on with a green light. A solid red can mean a few things and none of them are good news. It could mean the Wall Connector is bad or has an internal fault. Either way, a repair or replacement becomes necessary.

What you can do to solve the situation is to first try turning off the circuit breaker. Wait for a few seconds after before turning it back on. If the solid red light persists, then it’s time to contact Tesla.

One red blink to seven red blink

A red blink code pauses for one second and then repeats itself. The good news is from one red blink to seven red blinks, your Wall Connector can give some indication of what problems need to be fixed.

One blink means there’s a GFCI interruption because of an unsafe current path. There might be damage somewhere.

Check the Wall Connector itself, the handle, cable, and vehicle charge port for signs of contact with water or damage. Call an electrician right after to fix the issue.

Two red blinks mean a ground assurance fault has been detected. Call a certified Tesla electrician to handle this. The electrical technician will have to see if the Wall Connector is properly grounded and check all physical connections alongside.

Three red blinks present a different problem, which is a rise in temperature. This can quickly become a fire hazard and should be attended to by an electrician as soon as possible. You can confirm the issue by checking if the faceplate and cable handle are warm to the touch.

In contrast to what you might be thinking, it doesn’t get worse with four red blinks. Four red blinks simply indicate lost internet connection, and you can check the Wi-Fi settings, router, and signal strength to handle this.

Five red blinks mean an issue with power-sharing communication and can be sorted the same as four red blinks.

Six and seven red blinks generally mean an overvoltage or poor grid quality and need either an electrician or Tesla’s assistance.

Contacting Tesla

We recommend that our customers get in touch with Tesla technical support before contacting us or another electrician. We’ve had several customers recently have to have their Wall Connectors replaced by Tesla due to some kind of manufacturing defect. They can help you troubleshoot and do a diagnostic test. Please call 650-681-6133.

Note: For Wall Connector installations where you have breakers tripping, it may likely be an issue with the setting in your Wall Connector which you need to commission.

For WiFi commissioning support:

You may contact Tesla at 877-961-7652 between the hours of 8am to 5pm Pacific time Monday through Friday. Please be sure that you are home with the Wall Connector, you have the TPN (the part number), the TSN (the serial number), and you have connected the Wall Connector to the internet prior to calling. One of the troubleshooting steps is to get the Wall Connector, if it is a gen 3, to the internet. Please select the link below which will direct you to our website which includes the directions on connecting the Wall Connector to the internet. If the Wall Connector was installed the Online Orders department will not be able to assist with an exchange, however we will be able to complete the troubleshooting steps and if the troubleshooting doesn’t work then it may qualify your system for replacement.

Tesla Wall Connector: Gen 2 VS Gen 3

Earlier this year, particularly January Tesla unveiled the 3rd generation wall connector. Since then everyone has been trying to know what’s good and what’s better with this new charger. If your Gen 2 Tesla charger is working just fine, why would you possibly be motivated to consider Gen 3?

We answer all the questions in this review below.

What’s Different?

Appearance. It’s almost the first thing you notice with this Gen 3 EV charger. The new electric charger’s fresh look comes as a glass front display on a white background, keeping the brand name font and color on its surface. In contrast, the Gen 2 Tesla EV charger has a plastic silver or black cover.

Power. The Gen 2 wall connector has always been a more powerful option, as it’s able to deliver up to 80 amps of power to your electric car. The Gen 3 however is limited to a maximum of 48 amps. But wait before you conclude, it’s important to remember that there are no electric vehicles – regardless of brand – that can charge at over 48 amps. Aside from this being Tesla’s way of sticking with the maximum power output, electricians can tell you that fewer amps mean less heat. Gen 2 electric chargers have often had overheating and sparking problems because of the heat.

Cable length. For the Gen 2, electric car owners can enjoy the flexibility of a 24 feet cable. This new Gen 3 charger falls short in this area with only 18 feet from Tesla. This can count as a significant disadvantage in most cases. Seeing as a standard 2-car garage in the United States is a 24’ by 24’ it’s vital to have a cable that can reach most corners.

Cable size. This will probably bring a smile to your face as Gen 2 users are all too familiar with the heavy and thick cable of Gen 2 electric chargers. With Gen 3 electric car charger the cable is lighter, thinner, and easier to manage. This also contributes to making the entire charger weigh less. It’s a good advantage from Tesla and one users will enjoy.

Wi-Fi. For all those who are tech-savvy and convenience-conscious, it’s wonderful to hear that the new Tesla charger is Wi-Fi enabled, and it allows you to connect the unit with your smartphone. But at the same time, some users have mentioned having no connection with their Gen 3 charger and app, while others say the smart charger can connect with the car. The use comes mainly by accessing the network with your computer to get updates and set up the charger. There is a strong possibility of more updates with the Wi-Fi from Tesla.

Load sharing. The former charging unit allowed load sharing with up to 4 connected units while the new Gen 3 allows load sharing for up to 16 devices wirelessly.

Cost. To our amazement, the cost of the Gen 3 electric car charger is the same $500 price as the older Gen 2 unit. It’s safe to assume that the various limitations on the Gen 3, when compared with Gen 2, helped cut cost and make this elite charger affordable.