How to Prepare Your Home for an Electric Vehicle

When purchasing a new electric vehicle, one of the most vital things you can’t forget is that you need to get your home prepared with an electric vehicle charging station! Electric vehicles offer numerous benefits, such as reduced carbon footprint and lower maintenance costs. But proper preparation is necessary to ensure your home is ready for it, designed to maximize your energy use efficiency. 

While charging stations continue to spread around Janesville and beyond, making sure that you have a properly set up home charging station is essential. It’s also likely to be your primary charging location. If you’re ready to find out about electric vehicle charging batteries, and other ways to get your electric vehicle charging station set up, then continue reading this guide from the expert service team at Susanville Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM. And if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact us.

Step-by-Step: How to Prepare Your Home for an Electric Vehicle

Follow these steps when it comes to electric vehicle charging batteries and securing your electric vehicle charging station at home in Chester: 

1. Decide on a Charging Type (AKA Charging Level): Before taking delivery of your EV, it’s important to decide on the type of charging you’ll want for your home. Most home car charging systems fall into Level 1 or Level 2. Level 1 EV charging is the slowest and can take days to fully charge an electric car, while Level 2 EV charging is faster and can take several hours to fully charge an electric car. You can also opt for Level 2 DC charging which can provide 60-200 miles of range in just 20-30 minutes, but it requires special equipment and is usually not used for home charging.
2. Ready Your Garage: Clear out and organize your garage space in preparation for your EV. This is especially important if you’ve been using your garage as a storage space. You’ll need to make sure there’s enough space for your EV and that it’s easy to access the charging station.
3. Find Your Power Panel & Assess Consumption: You’ll need to locate your home’s power panel and check the amperage rating printed on your main circuit breaker to make sure it can handle the additional load of charging your EV. If your power panel is not rated high enough, you may need to upgrade it. Additionally, you should assess your home’s electricity usage to ensure that you won’t overload your electric distribution panel.
4. Hire an Electrician: Hire an electrician to install the charging station and handle any necessary electrical upgrades. The electrician can also provide guidance on power consumption and ensure that the installation meets local codes and standards. Installing a dedicated 240-volt plug or hardwired circuit is recommended for Level 2 charging.
5. Buy Your Charger & Have it Installed: Once you’ve hired an electrician and decided on the type of charging you’ll use, it’s time to purchase and install your charging station. It’s recommended to have a professional electrician install the charger to ensure it’s properly wired and safe to use.

By following these steps, you can ensure that your home is prepared for the arrival of your EV and that your electric vehicle charging batteries are good to go!

Ready for Your EV from Susanville Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM?

Do you have additional questions or concerns about how to prepare your home for an electric vehicle? Want to make sure that you’re getting set up for all of your service needs around Standish? The service center at Susanville Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM is equipped with everything your vehicle is going to need for years to come, so don’t wait to schedule a service appointment. And if you’re ready to make the switch to a new EV, don’t hesitate to check out our new vehicle specials.