How to Prep Your Home for an EV

While you can find an electric vehicle charging station easily in and , nothing beats the convenience of at-home charging. So, how do you prepare your home for an electric vehicle? We’ll go over everything that you need to know about your next electric vehicle home charger, including the installation process and potential pricing. 

1. Decide on a Charging Type (AKA Charging Level)

It’s a good idea to prepare your home for an electric vehicle, but the truth is that you can plug your vehicle into any grounded outlet. This is known as Level 1 charging, and though easily accessible, it’s also the slowest method by far. Most drivers in opt for a Level 2 electric vehicle charging station instead. Here are some things to keep in mind about electric vehicle charging batteries:

• A Level 1 electric vehicle home charger takes days to charge your car. 
• A Level 2 electric vehicle home charger takes hours to charge your car. 

2. Prepare Your Space for an Electric Vehicle Home Charger

Before you can get your electric vehicle charging batteries, you’ll need to have a proper place for your new charging station. Most drivers store their electric vehicle home chargers in the garage, so now is a great time to start decluttering the space and cleaning up. Not only is this easier for you, but it’ll be much easier for your electrician to work efficiently.

3. Find Your Power Panel & Assess Consumption

Your power panel distributes electricity throughout the household, powering everything from your computers to appliances to lighting. If you’re close to capacity already, an electric vehicle charging batteries could cause the whole system to overload. That’s why it’s important to do a self-assessment. Take a look at the amperage rating printed on your main circuit breaker, and then keep inventory of how much energy your household uses on average. 

4. Hire an Electrician

Hire your electrician to install your electric vehicle charging station. Go over your power panel amperage rating and energy usage, so your electrician can make suggestions. In many cases, you’ll simply need a dedicated 240-volt plug or hardwired circuit on the power panel to charge your car. This is typically a few hundred dollars. But if your power panel needs an upgrade, this can cost you thousands of dollars instead.

5. Buy & Install Your Charger 

Now is the time to purchase your electric vehicle home charger and have it installed. Your electrician will go over everything that you need to know, and then you’re good to go. Enjoy your new electric vehicle charging station!

Find Out More about EV Ownership with Sam Leman Automotive Group

Now you know how to prepare your home for an electric vehicle, but what else would you like to know about EV ownership in Central IL? Want to learn more about electric vehicle maintenance? Or how long it takes to charge an EV? Feel free to contact us to learn more about life as an electric vehicle owner. We can show you just how easy it is to make the switch, and we can introduce you to some new EV models at Sam Leman Automotive Group at any time!