How to Prepare for an Electric Vehicle Home Charger

With the increasing popularity of electric vehicles (EVs), many Bartow drivers are buying or leasing, or at least considering, owning an EV. When t comes to owning an electric car, it’s essential to make sure that your home is ready to charge it. While there are electric vehicle charging stations accessible, your electric vehicle home charger will be your main method of charging. Learn more about electric vehicle charging batteries and how to get your garage ready for an at-home charging station with this guide from Kelley Automotive Group. Feel free to contact our service center if you have any questions.

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

This is the time to research the different types of EV chargers, so you know which one is right for you. Home at-home car charging stations fall into Level 1 or Level 2.

• 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. You can often get between 60-200 miles of range in just 20-30 minutes with Level 2 DC charging. For this reason, most people intermix daytime “top-off” charging with overnight charging.

2. Prepare Your Garage for an Electric Vehicle Home Charger

Next, it’s time to clean out and organize your garage to make sure that it’s ready for your EV and an at-home charging station. 

3. Find Your Power Panel & Assess Consumption

The power panel distributes electricity throughout your home. It should be rated for a max amount of current flow that’s measured in Amperes. New homes typically come with a 100 Amp power panel, but there should be an amperage rating that’s printed on your main circuit breaker. 

Then, it’s important to know how much electrical energy you’re using consistently in your home by performing a self-assessment of your electric use. This should be done before installing your charging system because you don’t want to overload your electric distribution panel.

4. Hire a Qualified Electrician

Next, you’ll want to hire a qualified electrician where you can discuss any concerns you have about your power consumption and adding the EV charging. They can install a dedicated 240-volt plug or add a hardwired circuit back to the power panel. This can cost a couple of hundred dollars, however, it can also be upwards of $1,000 or $3,000 if it’s found that your power panel isn’t sufficient and requires an upgrade.

5. Purchase Your Charger & Have it Installed

Lastly, it’s time to purchase your EV charger and have it professionally installed by the trained electrician of your choice.

Get More Tips and Details at Kelley Automotive Group!

Want to know more about EVs, the benefits of owning an electric vehicle, or hybrids vs. electric vehicles compare? We can help! At Kelley Automotive Group, we work hard to make sure that you end up with the new or pre-owned vehicle that’s best suited for taking on your Winter Haven travels. Contact our team to get things started at your local Kelley Automotive Group location!