5 Steps to Preparing for an Electric Vehicle Home Charger

Instead of looking around Andover and Wichita for a gas station, an electric vehicle will not only have you searching for local electric vehicle charging stations, but also require you to update your home in preparation. So, how do you prepare your home for an electric vehicle? The experts at Don Hattan Dealerships are here to break down the top five ways you need to know, so you’ll be prepared to own a new fuel efficient ride from our inventory! 

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

First, you’ll need to take a look at the various electric vehicle home chargers, which will typically fall into Level 1 or Level 2 categories. Here’s more information on the electric vehicle home chargers you can choose from below:

• 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, though. For this reason, most people intermix daytime “top-off” charging with overnight charging.

2. Ready Your Garage

Make sure your garage is cleaned out and organized. You’ll not only want to ensure you have plenty of space for the new vehicle and other items you regularly store, but also leave ample room for your electric vehicle home charger during installation. 

3. Find Your Power Panel & Assess Consumption

When you prepare your home for an electric vehicle, you need to find the power panel. This is commonly a 100 Amp power panel in many modern homes, but double-check the amperage rating printed on your main circuit breaker. Once you’ve figured that out, you’ll want to determine how much electrical energy you consistently use and those in your home use regularly, so you can be sure not to overload your electric distribution panel and make adjustments as needed.

4. Hire an Electrician

Hire and consult with an electrician who can talk through any issues or plans regarding power consumption and adding EV charging to your home. They can usually install a 240-volt plug or add a hardwired circuit back to the power panel, and can typically cost around a couple of hundred dollars. If you decide your electric vehicle home charger needs a panel with more power, this can up the cost to around $1,000 or $3,000.

5. Buy Your Charger & Have it Installed

Purchase the electric vehicle home charger that will work best, and then, set a time and day with your electrician to have it installed. 

Shop Electric Vehicle Charging Batteries at Don Hattan Dealerships

No matter if you’re in need of new electric vehicle charging batteries or want to know about electric vehicle charging stations around Maize and Andover, we’re here to help. Find more helpful service tips at Don Hattan Dealerships or take advantage of our rotating service coupons and discounts. Contact us today for more information on how to prepare your home for an electric vehicle, or stop by our dealership here in Wichita!