5 Steps to Preparing for an Electric Vehicle Home Charger

You’ve seen a lot of buzz about electric vehicles around Regina car dealerships. The technology has advanced in recent years. Lincoln has two models with plug-in hybrid (PHEV) capabilities, the Lincoln Nautilus and Lincoln Corsair, with Grand Touring trims. The automaker has announced the Lincoln Star as its first-ever electric car to grace the streets of Moose Jaw and beyond.  

One reason to buy an EV as your next new vehicle is because you can charge your car at home and for less money than gasoline. You have two main options for an electric vehicle home charger. When you’re far from home, you can find an electric vehicle charging station to recharge your EV battery on long trips. This guide from Capital Lincoln tells you how to prepare your home for an electric vehicle.

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

There are two charging levels for an electric vehicle home charger in your Estevan garage. You have a choice of Level 1 or Level 2 charging. One is slower than the other.  

• Level 1 EV charging often takes 24 to 48 hours to fully charge an electric car. 
• Level 2 EV charging can fully charge your EV overnight while you sleep. You can get around 24 to 56 km of charge per hour. 

One thing to know about charging electric vehicle batteries is that PHEVs take much less time to fully charge because their batteries are much smaller. So, if you have a Nautilus or Corsair PHEV, you can easily charge your battery in a few hours. Either way, knowing how to prepare your home for an electric vehicle helps you understand what needs to happen.

2. Ready Your Garage for an Electric Vehicle Home Charger

It’s time to clean out your garage in Swift Current because you will need to hire a professional electrician to install a Level 2 charger. It’s usually installed in the wall of your garage, and it connects directly to your electrical panel. It’s like having an electric vehicle charging station in your own home!

3. Find Your Power Panel & Assess Consumption

The power panel in your home distributes electricity properly and safely. It should have a maximum amount of current that can flow through it, measured in Amperes. Most new homes come with a 100 Amp power panel. Look for your panel’s amp limit printed somewhere on it.

How much electricity do you use in your home? Assess this number before installing a Level 2 electric vehicle charging station on your garage wall. You do not want to overload your electric distribution panel.

4. Hire an Electrician

Next, hire a licensed electrician. They can install a dedicated 240-volt plug or add a hardwired circuit back to the power panel that will only handle charging electric vehicle batteries. It usually costs a few hundred dollars to install. But it’s worth the investment because you’ll save money on refuelling costs. 

5. Buy Your Charger & Have it Installed

Most brands have their approved 240-volt unit for charging electric vehicle batteries. Some brands will give you a rebate when you purchase one as an incentive to purchase an EV. Talk to our team for more details.

Contact Capital Lincoln to Learn More!

Do you need more information on how to prepare your home for an electric vehicle? Contact us or call 306-546-6822 to talk to our team. We’re happy to help in any way we can!