How to Prep Your Home for an EV

More and more drivers in and around Stoneham are interested in upgrading to an electric vehicle like the exciting all-new Hummer EV. But with an electric vehicle, charging batteries is a concern for many. While there is an ever-growing number of EV charging stations in the Stoneham area, home charging will most likely be your primary method. In this guide from the team at Albrecht Buick GMC of Wakefield, we’ll fill you in on how to prepare your home for an electric vehicle home charger, so you’ll be ready for your new EV.

How to Prepare for an Electric Vehicle Home Charger

The main difference between a hybrid vs. electric car is that the latter will require recharging. With an electric vehicle, charging batteries will be a central concern. Fortunately, getting your garage ready for an electric vehicle home charger is fairly simple and straightforward. Just follow these steps:

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

EV charging systems fall into Level 1 or Level 2 categories. Here’s more information on charging times for each system:

• Level 1 EV charging often takes days to fully charge an electric car.
• Level 2 EV charging regularly takes several hours to fully charge an electric car, but you can usually get between 20-30 miles of range per hour. Many EV owners in the Medford area alternate daytime “top-off” charging with overnight charging.

2. Get Your Garage Ready

Clean out and organize your garage to accommodate your new EV and electric vehicle home charger.

3. Find Your Power Panel & Assess Consumption

Locate the main power panel in your home and confirm that it is rated for a maximum amount of current flow measured in Amperes. Most new homes come with a 100 Amp power panel, but there should be an amperage rating printed on your main circuit breaker. It is important to know how much electrical energy you consistently use in your house, so you should perform a self-assessment of your electricity use before you install an electric vehicle home charger. You do not want to overload your electric distribution panel.

4. Hire an Electrician

A certified electrician will be needed to install a dedicated 240-volt plug or add a hardwired circuit back to the power panel. This will typically cost a couple of hundred dollars but could be up to $1,000 or $3,000 if it’s found that your power panel requires upgrading.

5. Buy Your Electric Vehicle Home Charger and Have it Installed

Find out what kind of electric vehicle home charger your EV requires and purchase it. Then, have it professionally installed by your electrician.

Get All the Details on Electric Vehicle Charging at Albrecht Buick GMC of Wakefield!

Have questions about how to prep your home for an EV? Feel free to reach out to the experts at Albrecht Buick GMC of Wakefield. Our team will be happy to help you choose the right electric vehicle home charger, find local Lynnfield-area electric vehicle charging stations, and provide you with information on the new EVs we expect to be adding to our new vehicle inventory soon!