Getting an electric vehicle (EV) can be exciting, but also requires some preparation and adjustments to your home. Here is a comprehensive guide on how to get your home and garage ready for an EV.

Choosing Where to Charge

Deciding where you will charge your EV is an important first step. You have two main options:

Install a Home Charger

Installing a Level 2 (240V) home EV charger in your garage allows for faster charging, typically adding 20-30 miles of range per hour of charging. This is the most convenient option if you have a garage.

Evaluate your electrical panel – a 240V circuit may need to be added which can cost $500-$800 for parts and labor.
Purchase a 240V charger – prices range from $400-$1000 for most models, before installation.
Hire an electrician to install the 240V outlet and charger properly.

Use a 120V Household Outlet

Charging from a regular 120V wall outlet is slower, adding about 4-5 miles of range per hour of charging. But it may suffice if you don’t drive long daily distances.

Make sure the outlet is on a dedicated 20A circuit to avoid tripping a breaker.
Purchase a portable EVSE cordset ($200-$500).
Rotate between multiple 120V outlets as needed.

Upgrade Your Electrical Panel

Your existing electrical panel may need an upgrade to support an EV charger which requires significant power.

A 100-amp panel may only offer 40-50 amps of available capacity.
A 240V/32A EVSE needs at least 40 amps available.
An electrician can determine if your panel needs an upgrade or new 240V circuit installed.
Upgrading to a 200-amp panel costs $1,500+ on average.

Install a 240V Outlet in Your Garage

If adding a home EV charger, a 240V outlet needs to be installed in your garage, by an electrician.

Determine the best place to mount the charger, considering wire routing.
Decide on type: NEMA 14-50 or 6-50 outlet.
Run conduit from electrical panel to outlet.
Install a 50-amp circuit breaker in the panel.
Use thick 10/3 AWG wire rated for at least 50A.
Install GFCI outlet or circuit breaker for safety.

Understand Load Management Options

Using a load management system ensures you don’t overload your electrical capacity.

Simple timer plugs ($15) can schedule overnight charging.
Smart chargers ($400+) automatically adjust power levels.
Whole home energy monitors like Span dynamically balance EV charging with other needs.

Consider Solar Power

Adding solar panels and battery storage is a large but worthwhile investment to power your EV.

Solar panels feed the grid by day and provide EV charging power at night.
Batteries store surplus power for overnight EV charging.
Federal tax credits offset 26% of the costs for solar and powerwall batteries.
Explore your options: Tesla Powerwall, Sonnen ecoLinx, LG Chem RESU, Generac PWRcell.

Adjust Your Driving Habits

Driving and charging habits affect how far your EV’s range will take you. Some tips:

For long trips, plan charging stops using apps like PlugShare and A Better Routeplanner.
If commuting long distances, consider workplace or public charging.
Adjust your home charging schedule to align with cheaper electric rates.
In cold weather, preheat the EV while plugged in to reduce driving range loss.
Drive conservatively to maximize range – jackrabbit starts sap more battery.

Get Household Wiring Inspected

Having the electrical wiring in your home inspected for safety and capacity is strongly recommended when installing an EV charger.

An electrician should inspect the circuits and panels.
They can confirm sufficient capacity or if upgrades are needed.
GFCI outlets may need to be added in garages and outdoors.
Permit and inspection may be required if significant new wiring is added.
Fix any loose, frayed, or damaged wiring.

Have a Plan for Power Outages

Make sure your EV will have sufficient charge in case of a power outage.

Try not to let your battery drop below 50% charge regularly.
Know where local public charging stations are located.
Consider a small portable generator to provide emergency charging, if needed infrequently.
Install solar + battery backup system for longer resilience.

Increase Your Home’s Energy Efficiency

Any energy efficiency upgrades will reduce EV charging load on your home.

Perform an energy audit to find savings opportunities.
Improve insulation, seal air leaks around doors and windows.
Upgrade to LED lighting, efficient appliances.
Install a smart thermostat with scheduling and geo-fencing.
Consider solar window film and cool roof coatings.

Clean and Organize Your Garage

A tidy garage makes parking and charging easier.

Clean floor and walls, add fresh paint if needed.
Install shelves and storage bins to organize tools.
Label circuit breakers.
Keep area around EV charger clear.
Hang charger cords and connectors neatly.

FAQs

How much does a home EV charger cost?

The total cost for purchasing and installing a home EV charger typically ranges from $800-$2,000, depending on the amperage and features. The electrician’s labor to install a 240V outlet and wiring can add $500-$1,000.

How long does it take to charge an EV at home?

Most EVs have between 200-300 miles of range. Charging from a 120V outlet adds about 4-5 miles of range per hour. A 240V Level 2 charger adds 20-30 miles per hour. Fully recharging can take 10+ hours with a 120V outlet, or 5-8 hours with a 240V charger.

Can I plug an EV into a normal outlet?

Yes, all EVs come with a portable 120V charger cordset that plugs into a normal wall outlet. But charging will be slower. Make sure the outlet is on a 20A circuit to avoid overloading.

Do I have to charge my EV every night?

It depends on your daily driving needs. If your roundtrip commute is less than 50 miles daily, you may only need to charge every 2-3 days. For longer daily miles, nightly charging ensures you start each day with a “full tank”.

Will charging an EV cause my electric bill to skyrocket?

For most drivers, the impact is reasonable. With average electric rates and driving needs, expect a $30-$80 increase per month for home EV charging. Managing costs comes down to choosing the right rate plan and scheduling charging wisely during lower cost hours.

Conclusion

Preparing your home and garage for an EV involves some work upfront, but the benefits of driving electric far outweigh the effort. Following this guide will help ensure you have safe and reliable home charging capabilities. Focus first on necessary electrical upgrades, then install a suitable EV charger and organize your garage. Adjust driving and charging habits to maximize efficiency and savings. An EV provides a smooth, comfortable, quiet driving experience while reducing environmental impact.

How to Prepare Your Home and Garage for an Electric Vehicle

Getting an electric vehicle (EV) can be exciting, but also requires some preparation and adjustments to your home. This comprehensive guide covers all the key steps for getting your home and garage ready to support an EV.

Choosing Where to Charge

The first important decision is where you will charge your EV. Fortunately, you have a couple options to consider:

Install a Home Charger

Installing a Level 2 (240-volt) EV charger in your garage is the most convenient option if you have a garage. This allows for faster charging, typically adding 20-30 miles of range per hour of charging time.

To install a home charger:

Evaluate your electrical panel – a 240-volt circuit may need to be added, which can cost $500-$800 for parts and labor.
Purchase a 240-volt charger – prices range from $400-$1000 before installation.
Hire an electrician to properly install the 240-volt outlet and charger.

Use a Regular Household Outlet

You can also simply plug into any regular 120-volt household outlet. This “Level 1” charging is slower, adding about 4-5 miles of range per hour of charging. But it may be sufficient if you don’t drive long daily distances.

To use a regular outlet:

Verify the outlet is on a dedicated 20-amp circuit to avoid tripping a breaker.
Purchase a portable EVSE cordset ($200-$500).
Rotate between multiple 120-volt outlets as needed.

Upgrading Your Electrical Panel

Your existing home electrical panel may need an upgrade to support adding an EV charger, which requires significant power.

A 100-amp panel may only offer 40-50 amps of spare capacity.
A 240-volt, 32-amp EVSE needs at least 40 amps available.
An electrician can determine if your panel should be upgraded or a new 240-volt circuit added.
Upgrading to a 200-amp panel averages $1,500+ in costs.

Installing a 240-Volt Outlet

If adding a home EV charger, a 240-volt outlet needs to be installed in your garage by an electrician.

Determine the ideal spot to mount the charger, considering wire routing.
Decide on outlet type – NEMA 14-50 or 6-50 are common.
Run conduit from the electrical panel to the outlet location.
Install a 50-amp breaker in the panel.
Use thick 10/3 AWG wire rated for at least 50 amps.
Add a GFCI outlet or breaker for safety.

Understanding Load Management

Using a load management system helps ensure you don’t overload your home’s electrical capacity.

Simple timer plugs ($15) can schedule overnight EV charging.
“Smart” EVSEs ($400+) automatically adjust power levels as needed.
Whole home energy monitors like Span dynamically balance EV charging with other electrical loads.

Considering Solar Power

Adding solar panels and battery storage is a large but beneficial investment to power your EV.

Solar feeds the grid during the day, while providing EV charging at night.
Batteries store surplus solar power for overnight EV charging.
Federal tax credits offset 26% of costs for solar panels and powerwall batteries.
Popular options: Tesla Powerwall, Sonnen ecoLinx, LG Chem RESU, Generac PWRcell.

Adjusting Driving & Charging Habits

Your driving and charging habits impact your EV’s driving range. Some helpful tips:

For long trips, plan charging stops using apps like PlugShare.
If commuting long distances, consider workplace or public charging.
Adjust home charging schedule to align with cheaper electric rates.
In cold weather, preheat the EV while plugged in to reduce range loss.
Drive conservatively to maximize range – avoid jackrabbit starts.

Getting Electrical Wiring Inspected

Having a professional inspect your home’s electrical wiring is strongly advised when installing an EV charger.

An electrician should inspect all circuits and panels.
They can confirm sufficient capacity or if upgrades are warranted.
GFCI outlets may need to be added in garages.
Permit and inspection may be required for significant new wiring.
Any loose, damaged, or fraying wiring should be fixed.

Having a Backup Plan

Make sure your EV will have adequate charge in the event of a power outage:

Try not to let your battery drop below 50% charge regularly.
Know where local public charging stations are located.
Consider a small portable generator for emergency charging, if only needed infrequently.
Install solar panels + battery backup system for longer resilience.

Improving Energy Efficiency

Any energy efficiency upgrades will reduce EV charging load on your home.

Perform an energy audit to identify savings opportunities.
Improve insulation, seal air leaks around doors/windows.
Upgrade to LED bulbs, efficient appliances.
Use a smart thermostat with scheduling and geo-fencing.
Consider window film and cool roof coatings.

Cleaning & Organizing the Garage

A clean, organized garage makes parking and charging easier:

Clean the floor and walls, add fresh paint if needed.
Install shelves and bins to organize tools.
Label your electrical circuit breakers clearly.
Keep the area around the EV charger clear.
Hang charger cords and connectors neatly when not in use.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a home EV charger cost?

The total cost to purchase and install a home EV charger is typically $800-$2000. This includes the unit, a 240-volt outlet, and professional installation.

How long does it take to charge an EV at home?

Most EVs have 200-300 miles of range. Charging from a 120-volt outlet adds 4-5 miles per hour. A 240-volt Level 2 charger adds 20-30 miles per hour. Fully recharging can take 10+ hours with a regular outlet, or 5-8 hours with a Level 2 charger.

Can I plug an EV into a normal outlet?

Yes, all EVs include a portable 120-volt charger that plugs into normal wall outlets. But charging is slower. Make sure the outlet is on a dedicated 20-amp circuit to prevent overload.

Do I have to charge my EV every night?

It depends on your daily driving needs. For a less than 50-mile roundtrip commute, you may only need to charge every 2-3 days. For heavier daily mileage, nightly charging ensures you start each day with a “full tank”.

Will charging an EV make my electric bill skyrocket?

For most drivers, the impact is reasonable. With average electric rates and driving habits, expect a $30-$80 increase per month for home EV charging. Managing costs comes down to choosing the right rate plan and charging during cheaper off-peak hours.

Summary

Preparing your home and garage for an EV takes some upfront work, but the benefits are well worth it. Focus first on any needed electrical upgrades, then install a suitable EV charger and organize your garage space. Adjust your driving and charging habits to maximize efficiency. With a little preparation, your EV provides a smooth, quiet, and emission-free driving experience.