5 Steps to Preparing for an Electric Vehicle Home Charger

Unless they’re buying a truck and want to make sure it fits in the garage, most drivers probably don’t think about prepping their homes for a new vehicle. If you’re buying a new EV, though, it’s important to think about how you’re going to keep it charged. While there are charging stations around Springfield, PA, you may want the convenience of having your own charging station readily available to you. Below, we delve into five steps you can take to prepare your home for an electric vehicle. 

1. Choose an Electric Vehicle Home Charger 

Most home charging systems are Level 1 or Level 2 chargers. Here’s more information on what those are: 

• Level 1 EV charging stations typically take days to fully power electric vehicle charging batteries. 
• Level 2 EV charging can take several hours to recharge your EV. In about 20-30 minutes, they can usually provide between 60-200 miles of range, depending on the model. 

2. Get Your Garage Ready 

Now’s the time to clean out and organize your garage. Get rid of any clutter and ensure there’s plenty of space for your electric vehicle charging station. 

3. Find Your Power Panel & Assess Consumption

Your home’s power panel distributes electricity throughout the entire structure. Power panels are rated for a maximum amount of current flow in Amperes. You should be able to find it on the main circuit breaker. Typically, new homes include a 100-Amp power panel. Once you’ve located the panel, you’ll need to assess how much power you regularly use because you don’t want to overload your power panel. 

4. Hire an Electrician

Discuss your power usage with the electrician, and they’ll tell you whether it’s a good idea to install an EV charging system. If everything is in good shape, they can install a dedicated 240-volt plug or add a hardwired circuit back to the power panel. This typically costs a few hundred dollars. If the power panel isn’t good enough as is and needs to be replaced, you can expect the installation to cost around $1,000 to $3,000. 

5. Purchase Your Charger & Get it Installed

Lastly, buy the EV charger you want and have it professionally installed by the electrician. Once that’s complete, you’re ready to shop for your new EV! 

Start Shopping with Springfield Mitsubishi!

When you’re ready to begin shopping for a new EV, Springfield Mitsubishi is here to help! We offer a selection of new Mitsubishi models, including the Outlander PHEV. Contact us online or call us at 484-574-8434 option 1 to schedule a test drive in Springfield. In the meantime, check out our Mitsubishi research hub to learn more about Mitsubishi vehicles, including the Outlander PHEV.