How to Prep Your Home for an EV

Thinking about trading in your gas-powered car for an electric vehicle? With some forethought and preparation, you can prepare your home for an electric vehicle ownership experience that’s streamlined and stress-free. Ahead, Land Rover Kansas City gives you our top five tips to turn your Wichita-area garage or driveway into your own personal electric vehicle charging station. 

1. Choose a Charging Type (AKA Charging Level)

Once you take ownership of an electric vehicle, charging the batteries becomes one of the primary concerns. In terms of home charging, you generally have two charging options, or charging levels: Level 1 and Level 2.

• Level 1 uses the standard portable charging cord that comes with the EV. This type of electric vehicle home charger solution can use the household-style 120-volt outlet you probably already have in your garage, but there’s a catch: it takes hours or even days to get from 0% to 100% charged. 
• Level 2 is the fastest household EV charging option. You can typically gain 60–200 miles of range in a 20–30-minute charging session. This type of electric vehicle charging station is purchased separately from the vehicle, and can only be installed by a certified electrician. There may also be some extra steps to prepare your home for an electric vehicle Level 2 charger — read more, below.

2. Clear a Space for Parking and Charging Your EV 

Whether you’re going to charge your EV under a covered car port or inside your garage, you need to clear out a large enough area on level ground to park your vehicle and plug it in. Get rid of any clutter so the space is clear and ventilated, especially if you’re going to install a Level 2 charging station.

3. Locate Your Power Panel & Assess Consumption

Your home’s power panel is rated for a certain amount of current flow, measured in Amperes. Typically, a newer home will have a 100 Amp power panel, and you can confirm the amperage on the main circuit breaker, where it’s usually printed.

You also need to assess your household’s electrical energy consumption, so you don’t risk overloading your panel. Most St. Louis, MO-area homeowners choose to consult an electrician to ensure there are no mistakes in their assessment.

4. Hire an Electrician

You can consult your electrician about your power panel and your energy consumption to ensure it’s safe for an electric vehicle charging station to be installed. Once you get the okay to move forward, your electrician can install a 240-volt plug or add a hardwired circuit back to the power panel to accommodate a Level 2 charger. 

5. Buy Your Charger & Have it Installed

You need to research the electric vehicle charging station options that are compatible with your vehicle and choose one to install at your home in Omaha, NE. After purchasing it, you can schedule an appointment with your electrician to have them come back and install it for you! 

Learn More About EV Ownership at Land Rover Kansas City

Not only will our team help you choose the right electric vehicle for your local driving needs, but we can also help you prepare for a seamless transition! Contact us for more information and check out our car-buying tips to expand your knowledge.