Big box hardware stores like The Home Depot and Lowe’s aren’t just opening shelf space to energy-saving LED lamps, energy management systems and even alternative energy systems. You can also get electric vehicle (EV) chargers through the retailers.

Schneider Electric just announced that its EVlink 240-volt EV charger is available on HomeDepot.com (list price $799), joining similar chargers from GE, Legrand and Leviton. Lowe’s sells the GE and Schneider (Square D) chargers.

The EVlink is a Level 2 charging solution for charging all types of electric vehicles, meaning that it charges at 240 volts instead of 110 volts from a standard electric outlet. It also means you’ll need an electrician to hook up a 240-volt receptacle and circuit breaker.

Schneider says EVlink charges about four times faster than that with standard outlets and almost two times faster than other 16 Amp Level 2 charging stations. It has an LED charging indicator, and independent cord bracket for safe and convenient mounting options.

Pike Research forecasts that by 2015, more than 1 million plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) and EVs will be sold annually around the world and during that year, the more than 3 million EVs sold to date will be plugging in to recharge their batteries.

Steven Castle - Contributing Writer

Steven Castle is Electronic House's managing editor. he has been writing about consumer electronics, homes and energy efficiency topics for two decades. He is also the co-founder of GreenTech Advocates.