The charging device is the final component of any electric vehicle charging system, acting as the interface between the power grid and the vehicle. They are mainly found in the form of charging stations, which can be wall-mounted or portable.
- Wall-mounted chargers: These devices are permanently installed, either on a wall or on a pedestal, and are directly connected to the power source.
- Portable chargers: These connect to a 208 or 240 V wall outlet. In rental buildings, installing these outlets allows tenants to use their own portable chargers, which can reduce the landlord’s maintenance responsibilities.
Please note that the use of a portable charging station connected to the electrical outlets in the common areas of a condominium is, in the vast majority of cases, strictly prohibited by condominium associations for reasons of fairness, safety, and legality.
Charging devices are equipped with “pistols,” which are the physical connectors to the vehicle. The two most common types in North America are SAE J1772 and NACS (North American Charging System, also known as the Tesla connector). If a device is not compatible with the vehicle’s port, adapters are usually available to ensure safe charging.
Charging stations can offer various features, such as locking to secure access, internet connectivity for remote management, and power sharing to optimize electricity distribution between multiple chargers.
How to choose your charging device?
The choice of a charging device must be carefully considered and aligned with the building’s overall strategy. Factors to consider include:
- compatibility with the energy management system (EVEMS), if such a system is in place;
- the type of connector required (SAE J1772 or NACS);
- required features (locking, connectivity, access control, power adjustment);
- available budget and long-term maintenance costs;
- ease of installation given the layout of the premises.
In short, although portable chargers (plugged into a dedicated 240V outlet) may offer a practical solution for rental properties seeking to reduce maintenance responsibilities, they represent only a fragmented approach. Furthermore, their use often raises issues of fairness and safety when they are not connected to a compliant outlet and billed individually.
For a sustainable, safe, and equitable charging strategy, a fixed charging station is the solution of choice. Permanently installed and professionally connected, it is the only solution that guarantees optimal compatibility with an Electric Vehicle Energy Management System (EVEMS) and offers the essential features (power sharing, access control) needed to manage a growing fleet of vehicles.