VersiCharge
Residential EV Charging Solutions

Comparison of VersiCharge Charge Time and Level 1 and Level 2 20 A Chargers

By upgrading to VersiCharge which is Level 2 (240 V) Charging Station, you can cut your charge time by up to 70% versus the Level 1 (120 V) charger included with your car. Not only that but the Siemens VersiCharge is a 30 amp Level 2 unit which can charge up to 40% faster than 16 amp Level 2 units available from some competitors.

There are a variety of government tax credits or rebates that can help offset the purchase and installation of a Siemens VersiCharge. Government incentives also exist to help offset the purchase of the vehicle itself.

1. Federal Tax Credit
   There is also a Federal tax credit for 2012 and 2013 to help offset up to 30% of the cost of a Level 2 charging station and installation. Talk to your tax professional to see if and how you can qualify.
   Visit IRS website.

2. City and State Credits
   One great resource is the Alternative Fuels Data Center. Here you can search based on your city and state what incentives exist.
   Visit AFDC website.

3. Nissan Database
   There is also a large database of incentives made searchable by Nissan USA.
   Visit Nissan website.

Utility Programs

Many electric utilities provide programs to help with covering the cost of your charging station or might even offer a lower electricity rate for your EV. A few utilities are included below but contact your local utility to find out what programs exist.

•  Austin Energy
•  Georgia Power
•  Los Angeles Department of Water & Power
•  San Diego Gas & Electric
•  Southern California Edison
•  Pacific Gas & Electric

What is the purpose of a charging station or electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE)?

Plug in vehicles require electricity to run motors as opposed to gasoline. The charging station is designed to safely and reliably provide this electric power to the vehicle much like a gasoline pump supplies gasoline. The charging station establishes communication with the vehicle, determines it is safe to allow power to flow through the cord, and removes power from the cord when charging is done. This ensures the charge cable is only energized when necessary and safe.

How long will it take to charge my vehicle?

This varies by year, make, and model of the car. The 30A Level 2 VersiCharge reduces the charging time by 50-75% compared to the Level 1 chargers commonly provided with the car.

Will the charging station work with my electric vehicle?

The Siemens VersiCharge is designed per the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) J1772 standard to be compatible with any plug in electric vehicle or plug in hybrid for the North American market.

What are the benefits of a Level 2 charging station?

A 208-240 V (or Level 2) charging station can drastically reduce the charge time of your car versus the 120 V (or Level 1) charger included with your car. A Level 2 unit can cut charge time by up to 75%! The quicker charge time also means more range for your All Electric Vehicle when you stop at home briefly or less gasoline used on your Plug In Hybrid.

How safe is a charging station?

Siemens uses a best in class 5 mA sensitivity on the Charging Circuit Interrupting Device (CCID) to protect against ground faults as well as uses a ground monitor to check the integrity of the ground connection. In Ground Fault Circuit Interruptors (GFCI), National Electrical Code (NEC) states that devices intended for the protection of personnel should de-energize when a current to ground exceeds the 4-6 mA range.

VersiCharge also uses redundant internal barriers to shield a user from any components carrying electricity.

Can I stop the charging station before the car is completely full?

You can stop charging at any time. We recommend you press the "Pause" button on the charging station when you want to stop a charge cycle currently in process.

How can I get my charging station installed?

Any certified master electrician should be able to install your charging station. If you have any questions or want recommendations for an installer, please send us an email.

Can the VersiCharge be hardwired?

Yes, both the Universal and the hardwired version of the VersiCharge can be hardwired (aka permanently installed) either by running conduit to the installation site or by hardwiring the unit from behind.

How much will installation of my charging cost?

Installation costs can vary widely depending on location and permitting requirements in your area. A common average is between $400 and $2000 for installations at a residence and between $2000 and $5000 for a commercial installation.

Where can I mount the charging station?

The Universal VersiCharge model has a NEMA 4 rated enclosure and may be installed inside and outside while the Hardwire VersiCharge model only has a NEMA 1 rated enclosure and can thus only be installed inside.

Do I need to use the amperage adjustment switch on the VersiCharge?

The VersiCharge is shipped from the factory with the amperage adjustment switch in the Max (100%) position. The position is marked by a small black arrow and not the screwdriver slot. The amperage adjustment switch is only used to limit power draw from the vehicle but does NOT allow the charging station to be wired on a smaller circuit than recommended in the installation manual.

Have a question not answered here?

We want to hear from you! You can check out our free whitepaper on the basics of EVSE selection here or send us an email.