Electric vehicles have many benefits compared to gas-powered vehicles—most notably, the potential reduction of your carbon footprint, and lower maintenance costs. But before you can get up and running with your new EV, you’ll need to prepare your home by installing an electric vehicle home charger.
Before you can bring your new EV home, you want to be sure that you have the means to charge it. Although there are plenty of public electric vehicle charging stations in the Merriam and Kansas City area, we recommended installing an electric vehicle home charger for convenient overnight charging. Learn more about electric vehicle charging, batteries, and your home set-up in the guide below from Hendrick Chevrolet Shawnee Mission!
Now is the time to delve into the types of electric vehicle charging stations available for your home. Home car charging systems are either Level 1 or Level 2. Here are the details:
Now is the time to clean out and organize your garage! Before your vehicle is delivered, you’ll want to be sure there’s a space for you to charge! To prepare your home for an electric vehicle, you may wish to clean out clutter first if your garage has been used as a storage space for a long time.
Your power panel is the distribution for electricity in your home. You’ll need to confirm that it is rated for a maximum amount of current flow measured in Amperes. Typical homes come with a 100 Amp power panel, confirmed in the amperage rating printed on your main circuit breaker. Then, you’ll want to perform a self-assessment of your electricity usage to determine how much electrical energy you typically use. This is to be sure that the electric vehicle charging batteries won’t overload your electric distribution panel.
The next step when you put in a home electric vehicle charging station is to hire an electrician. That way, you can discuss any concerns you have about your power consumption and about adding EV charging. The electric can install a dedicated 240-volt plug or add a hardwired circuit back to the power panel. This can cost a couple hundred dollars, but could cost anywhere from $1,000 to $3,000 if it’s found that your power panel is not sufficient and requires upgrading. That’s why it’s a good idea to assess your home’s ability to handle an electric vehicle home charger before you buy an EV.
Research your options and and purchase an electric vehicle charger that meets your needs and budget, and then have it professionally installed by the electrician of your choice. This is a good time to address any questions and concerns you may have about electric vehicle charging methods, batteries, and other aspects with your local Shawnee Mission-area auto dealership.
Do you have additional questions or concerns about getting your home ready for an electric vehicle charging station? Contact us anytime at Hendrick Chevrolet Shawnee Mission to get your questions answered! Be sure to chat with our finance team about financial incentives for Overland Park-area EV drivers, as well.
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