How to Prepare Your Home for an EV

It’s an exciting time in the automotive industry. Many new EV models are hitting the roads around , giving drivers an opportunity to find a stylish ride that reduces their carbon footprint. Before you take home an electric vehicle like the Mercedes-EQS, it is important to consider how you’ll have your vehicle. While there are public charging stations around , your most convenient charging option will be an electric vehicle home charger. But what do you need to do to install an electric car home charging station? Below, we’ll walk you through the five steps you should follow to prepare your home for a new EV.

1. Decide on a Charging Level

Do research into the charging type that would be best for your vehicle and the EV chargers available. Most homes will be equipped with a Level 1 or Level 2 charging station:

• A Level 1 EV charger plugs into a standard household outlet. Electric car charging at home with this charger type often takes days to fully charge an electric car.
• It typically takes several hours to fully charge an electric car with a Level 2 EV charger. If the Level 2 charge has DC charging, it can get you between 60 and 200 miles in just 20-30 minutes. drivers often mix daytime “top-off” charging with full overnight charges.

2. Prepare Your Garage

Make sure there is space in your garage. Take time to clean out any clutter and organize the space to make sure you have space for an EV and associated technology. You can also make note of any outlets to get an idea of how an EV can charge in your space.

3. Locate Your Power Panel & Estimate Your Consumption

Locate your power panel in your home. This is what distributes electricity throughout the entire building and it rates the maximum amount of current flow in Amperes. New homes are commonly equipped with a 100 Amp power panel. The amperage rating can be found printed on the main circuit breaker.

It’s also good to get an idea of how much electrical energy you use in your house. A self-assessment can help you understand if your electric distribution panel can accommodate the installation of an electric vehicle home charger.

4. Hire an Electrician

Hire a local electrician to discuss any power concerns and questions you have about your electric car home charging system. You can have them install a dedicated 240-volt plug or add a hardwired circuit back to the power panel. This can cost anywhere from a couple of hundred dollars to $1,00 or 3,000 if your power panel needs upgrading.

5. Find the Right Charger & Have it Installed

Be sure to research the electric vehicle home chargers and make the purchase. Have the system professionally installed by your electrician. Then, you’re prepared for convenient EV charging!

Find Your Electric Vehicle with Kempthorn Motors!

Now that you’re prepared for electric car charging at home, find your dream car with Kempthorn Motors. Detail the model year, trim, color options, and more with our vehicle finder tool, and we’ll work hard to find the model that fits your home charging station and your commutes.