How To Prepare Your Home For An Electric Vehicle

In the days of the traditional gasoline or hybrid vehicle, there wasn’t much you needed to do to prepare your Forsyth home for one other than ensuring that you had a place to park. As technology and standards change though, there are adaptations we must make to our habits – in this case, that involves the introduction of the all-electric vehicle (EV) and the need to keep available charging stations nearby. One type of charging station is the kind you install in your own home! Learn about home charging stations and more when you read the sections below – and be sure to contact us if you have any questions.

STEP 1 – Decide on a Charging Type/Level

If this is your first foray into researching the installation of a home charging station for your EV goals, then it’s worth learning that there are typically a couple of types of charging stations, categorized by “levels.” Usually, no matter which EV charging brand is being discussed, these levels represent the speed/efficiency of the charger’s output. Typically, higher level charging stations will cost more and may need the work of a professional electrician to install.

Most home charging stations fall into Level 1 or Level 2 categories. Level 1 home charging stations can take more than 24 hours to fully charge a vehicle – while Level 2 chargers can achieve a full charge typically within just a few hours.

STEP 2 – Inspect Your Electric System

The breaker-board or power-panel for your home should be pretty easily accessible somewhere in your garage, assuming your home has a garage. This panel of breakers and switches helps distribute power throughout your home. These panels are rated for a maximum flow of current measured in Amps. Most of the time, a new home will come with a 100 Amp power panel, but just to be sure, check the amperage rating printed on the main circuit breaker.

Part of readying your home’s electric system for an electric vehicle home charging station is determining how much power you’re currently consuming, so you can ensure the addition of the home charging station won’t end up causing a problem in the short or long term. There are plenty of guides online regarding how to conduct an accurate home power consumption test.

STEP 3 – Hire a Hampton Local Electrician

Seriously, when it comes to installing a home charging station – something that will directly impact the basic functions of your two largest investments, your home and vehicle, you’ll really want the expertise and help of a trained, certified, well-reviewed electrician. With this person’s help, you can also address any concerns you may have about safety or power consumption.

A certified electrician will have the ability to install a dedicated 240-volt plug or add a hardwired circuit back to the power panel. Usually, this service should cost around a couple-hundred dollars, but it can go as high as $3,000 if it’s discovered that your power panel needs significant upgrades to be compatible.

STEP 4 – Buy a Home EV Charger & Have it Installed

Now that your home is ready for an EV home charging station, it’s time to do some research and purchase the electric vehicle home charging station that’s most compatible and efficient with the EV of your choosing. If you need help picking an EV charger, call our team of Griffin locals at %%di_phone_number%% and ask to speak with an EV specialist! 

Bellamy Strickland Chevrolet Buick GMC is Your EV Expert Team!

In an effort to keep up with the automotive trends and technologies of today, our team is constantly keeping themselves updated on the latest information about EV technology and news. Have questions about transitioning into an all-electric vehicle, or possibly a hybrid? They’re here to help! Browse our selection of these vehicles on our website to get things started!