You know that is the car you want, but what about the home EV charging installation? Purchasing an electric vehicle is a great idea, and we fully support the switch to electric transportation. However, the biggest adjustment people need to make when making the switch to electric is getting accustomed to EV charging. This is very easy once you’ve got an EV charging station set up in your home. But how do you get that EV charging set up in your home exactly? All it requires is a little work from the homeowner and a qualified electrician to get your new charging system set up.
Is Your Home Capable To Install EV Charging
The first step is to ensure your home is eligible for EV charging. You need to receive sufficient electrical service to your home in order to install an EV charging system. Before you get your EV charging station installed, your electrician will do a load calculation to determine if there’s enough power in your home to handle the extra load required by your charger.
Home EV Charging Installation Voltage
Vehicles generally come with a standard level 1 charging cord. These can connect to a standard 120-volt outlet and can charge up to 8km per hour, taking roughly 20 hours to fully charge a vehicle. If you want something more, you can purchase a level 2 charging cord. These use a connection to a 240-volt outlet, like those used by ovens and clothes dryers. They charge 30 km per hour which takes 6 to 14 hours to fully charge an EV battery. The most powerful chargers are level 3’s, though these are generally found in more commercial buildings than homes. They use a direct current from an electrical system and charge 100 km per 30 minutes, fully charging vehicles in 1 to 4 hours!
Different Inspections and Installations
Determining the level of power you desire for your EV charger is important and you must inform your electrician of your charging requirements in order to ensure you get the proper setup installed. The installation process an electrician will go through to install an EV charging unit may include:
- Inspection of all EVSE equipment
- Inspection of the intended installation site
- Upgrading electrical system, if necessary
- Installation of EVSE equipment
- Ensuring equipment meets code and permit requirements
- Inspecting equipment to ensure it works properly
If you’re ready to take the plunge into the world of electric vehicles, get in touch. We have licensed electricians across the Lower Mainland that are able to help you get the right system installed for your electric vehicle. Contact us today and get a free estimate.
