A recent NY Times article discussed shortages in places where electric vehicle drivers can plug in their cars. With nearly 400,000 plug-in cars expected across North America there are well under 10% public chargers available. Many “unofficial” charging spots include outlets that are unattended. I was recently in Pittsburgh at a local Marriot and found a spare outlet to plug-in, it was not the most ideal location, but I was able to make it work for “topping-off” the battery to my Toyota Prius Plug-In.

In our experience many consumers and workplaces are reluctant to have Level 2 electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSEs). Most employers site reasons such as cost of the charging station and installation and even the complexity of getting a permit.  Also many do-it-yourself customers want a simple means to install a Level 2 in their garage. We have found that nearly 1 in 5 California garages have a 240-volt outlet available. Also through our national automaker programs we have learned that nearly 80% of the installations are either basic or standard installations (which don’t require extensive installation upgrades).

In reviewing the 2015 plug in vehicle sales it appears that about 60% of total plug-in vehicle sales are battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and 40% are plug in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). Additionally, you can see that many electric vehicle adopters are limiting their electric vehicle range of their cars due to only using Level 1 charging. The opportunity exists to convert more of these drivers to increase their electric vehicle miles driven and in turn save money, reduce the dependence on foreign oil and improve the environment.

To meet this need in the marketplace, Leviton has recently launched the Evr-Green® Mini. This is the smallest wall-mounted Level 2 EV charging station on the market. We have designed this specifically to be used easily by do-it-yourselfers and those who are avoiding Level 2 adoption due to the upfront installation costs. The Evr-Green® Mini delivers nearly 5kW of charge and the enclosure has been tested to NEMA Type 6 standards. In other words, the enclosure can be temporarily submerged. Additionally, the Mini has built in over temperature protection and ground monitoring circuitry – an important safety feature. Also, we provide 12’ and 18 electric vehicle cable options to provide flexibility in the mounting location.

Based on our discussions with installers, automakers, utilities and consumers we believe the entry level Evr-Green® Mini will drive down the total cost of ownership of a Level 2 EV charging station. The EV charger, basic installation and permit can be under $500 in most markets. We highly recommend using a licensed electrician, but like many of our 25,000+ products we realize there are numerous do-it-yourselfers who have been looking for means to have their garage EV ready. That is why we have positioned the Evr-Green® Mini alongside our 30 Amp Receptacle for an easy means of installation.

If you are driving a plug in car or thinking about getting one, please visit the Evr-Green® landing page to learn more about the Evr-Green Mini. Also check out the Leviton Facebook page for some interesting promotions on this new product.