How to Prepare Your Home for an Electric Vehicle

So, you’ve heard about all the benefits of owning an EV, and you’ve decided to make the switch to electric. But it’s also likely that you have questions, like a lot of drivers. For instance, how do you prepare your home for an electric vehicle? Charging batteries is something to consider. Do you need to purchase an electric vehicle charging station? Keep reading for the answers.

Do You Need to Buy an Electric Vehicle Charging Station?

How do you know whether you need to go out and buy an electric vehicle charging station? That depends on how far you normally drive your electric vehicle. Charging batteries at home may not even be necessary in some cases. Will you only be using your car for your daily commute and drive less than 50 miles a day? Do you need to charge your car faster than overnight? Use the guide below to determine what kind of charging you need:

• Public charging – You just run short errands in a city with lots of charging stations.
• Level 1 home charging (using the cord that comes with your car) – You drive less than 50 miles a day and are fine with charging the car overnight.
• Level 2 home charging (using an at home electric vehicle charging station) – You drive more than 50 miles a day or need to charge the car faster than overnight.

How to Prepare Your Home for an Electric Vehicle – Level 1

Level 1 charging just refers to using the cord that comes with your electric vehicle. Charging batteries can take overnight using this method, and you’ll want to determine your home’s electrical charge capacity, which may need to be done by an electrician. Unless you are certain your home can handle the 12-amp charging setting on your car, choose the default 8-amp setting. A full charge requires 20 hours at this setting.

How to Prepare Your Home for an Electric Vehicle – Level 2

Level 2 is a much faster way to charge an EV. You can get a full charge in about 4.5 hours with a 240W at home electric vehicle charging station. These stations can be bought at stores like Home Depot, but will need to be installed by a professional.

Check Out the Electric Vehicles at AutoSavvy

Did you know that we have a wide selection of electric vehicles? Take a look at our inventory, then get pre-approved for financing online. We have several convenient locations, spread out through multiple states in town like Boise, Omaha, Las Vegas, Colorado Springs, Houston, Fort Worth and beyond! Find the location near you, then drop by or contact us today.