Preparing for an Electric Vehicle Home Charger

When purchasing or leasing an EV vehicle like the Chevrolet Bolt, the last thing that may be on your mind is getting your home ready for an electric vehicle. There are many benefits to owning an EV, like having an at-home electric vehicle charging station. Taking on electric car charging at home may seem like a daunting task, but it’s not, and we have your guide on how to prepare your home for an electric vehicle. Feel free to contact our team if you have any questions about electric vehicle charging batteries or turning your garage into a charging station.

How to Charge an Electric Car at Home

So, you’ve bought an EV and you’re ready to start enjoying the benefits of EV ownership, like at-home charging abilities. If you’re wondering how to charge an electric car at home, the answer lies in electric car chargers for home usage. There may be a portable charging cord included with your EV that can be plugged into a standard wall socket to start charging, but this type of charging takes a long time to get your vehicle from 0% to 100% charged. To really enjoy the convenience of electric car charging at home, most drivers will want to get a larger charging station installed. Learn more about your options, below.

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

First, you’ll want to learn about the types of electric car chargers for home. Most home car charging systems fall into Level 1 or Level 2. Below is some handy information:

• Level 1 EV charging often takes days to fully charge an electric car.
• Level 2 EV charging often takes several hours to fully charge an electric car. However, you can often get between 60-200 miles of range in just 20-30 minutes with Level 2 DC charging. This is why most drivers intermix daytime “top-off” charging with overnight charging.

2. Making Room for Electric Car Chargers for Home

Your garage will serve as your electric charging station so you can complete electric vehicle charging batteries at home. Because of this, you’ll want to make sure that your garage is prepared before buying your EV. Clear out any junk or clutter to ensure that there’s room for your electric vehicle home charger as well as your vehicle.

3. Find Your Power Panel & Assess Consumption

Electric car charging at home is dependent on your home’s power panel, which distributes electricity throughout the building. You want it rated for the maximum amount of current flow, which is measured in Amperes. New homes typically come with a 100 Amp power panel, but there should be an amperage rating printed on the main circuit breaker.

Then, it’s time to know how much electrical energy is consistently used in your use by doing a self-assessment of your electricity use before installing the electric vehicle home charger. It’s essential to make sure that you’re not overloading your electric distribution panel.

4. Hire a Qualified Electrician

At this point, you’ll want to hire a qualified electrician to discuss any concerns you may have about your power consumption or adding an electric vehicle charging station. They can install a dedicated 240-volt plug or add a hardwired circuit back to the power panel. This could cost a few hundred dollars, but it could also cost up to $1,000 or $3,000 if your power panel is not sufficient as-is and needs an upgrade.

5. Buy Your Charger & Have it Installed

Next, it’s time to purchase your EV charger and have it installed by a professional electrician. When the job is done, you can start enjoying the convenience of electric car charging at home!

Get More EV Charging Tips With Rick Hendrick Chevrolet Buick GMC Richmond

At Rick Hendrick Chevrolet Buick GMC Richmond, not only will we help you find the new or pre-owned electric vehicle that’s right for your lifestyle, but we also have car-buying tips so you can prepare your home for an electric vehicle. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions!