How to Prep Your Home for an EV

When Wallingford drivers are thinking about purchasing an EV, the last thing on their minds is how to prepare your home for a new electric vehicle. However, this is one of the most important elements of buying a new EV. Without an efficient plan for an electric vehicle charging station, you won’t be doing much driving unless you plan on going to a public charger daily. Electric vehicles provide many benefits – including their environmental friendliness, the savings they provide on fuel, and overall savings on vehicle maintenance throughout the life of your vehicle. An electric vehicle home charger provides a certain level of convenience, regardless of the number of stations in Milford. In the next section, you’ll learn how to prepare your home for an electric vehicle after you purchase an  Equinox EV or Silverado EV.

How Strong Do You Want Your Electric Vehicle Charging Station?

Regarding your electric vehicle and charging batteries, there are two primary forms of at-home EV charging stations. The third is only found at service stations and large parking lots of retail stores like Target and Kohls – currently, the electrical grid on a residential home can’t power these chargers. For now, you’re left with two options:

• Level 1 EV charging can take 24 hours to charge your vehicle fully.
• Level 2 EV charging normally only takes a few hours. With a half-hour of charging on a Level 2, you can produce about 80-200 miles of range.

Because of the contrast, most people use both chargers interchangeably.

How Do I Prep My Home for a New EV?

1. Prepare Your Garage for EV Charging

Before you bring home your new EV, it’s a good idea to clear out and prepare your garage space. Having a dedicated, clean spot ready for your vehicle and charging equipment will make the process much smoother and prevent any last-minute stress.

2. Find Your Electrical Panel & Assess Power Needs

Your home’s electrical panel distributes power throughout your house and is rated for a maximum amount of electricity (amperage). It’s crucial to assess your current electricity consumption before installing an EV charger to avoid overloading your system. Most new homes have a 100-amp panel, but you should always confirm your home’s rating.

3. Hire a Licensed Electrician

Unless you have professional electrical experience, it’s essential to hire a licensed electrician for your EV charger installation. An expert can assess your current electrical capacity, install a safe 240-volt outlet, and ensure the charger is properly wired. This professional installation provides peace of mind and prevents a potentially dangerous situation.

4. Purchase Your Charger & Plan Installation

Once you have consulted with an electrician, you can purchase the appropriate EV charger for your vehicle. Having an electrician handle the entire installation is highly recommended. While this may come with an additional cost, the peace of mind knowing the job is done correctly and safely is well worth the investment.

Learn More About EV Home Charging with Hamden Chevrolet!

If you’re uncertain about the type of EV charger that might work best for you, our service department technicians are always available to answer your questions. For more information on EV charging or questions about purchasing, or to find out the Top EV Service Questions, contact our experienced staff online!