How to Prepare Your Home for an Electric Vehicle

Date: June 30th, 2022

Electric vehicles are becoming more and more common on the roads of Lawrence and Trenton, and if you are thinking about adopting the EV lifestyle for yourself, you may have questions about how to prepare your home for an electric vehicle. We can help. Learn all about installing an electric vehicle charging station and more in this guide from Princeton BMW, then stop by our showroom to find the EV of your dreams

1. Select Your Preferred Method of Charging 

If you are not sure which type of electric vehicle charging station you want, start by researching your options. Home electric vehicle charging stations usually fall into the categories listed below: 

• With a Level 1 EV charger, it can take 24 hours or more to achieve a full charge. 
• With a Level 2 EV charger, a full charge can be achieved in as little as a couple of hours. 

2. Set Up Your Garage

Is your Hamilton garage cluttered and disorganized? If this is the case, you will want to get it cleaned out so that there is enough space for your electric vehicle charging station. 

3. Find the Location of the Power Panel & Assess Consumption

Your home has a power panel that distributes electricity throughout the entire building. A majority of newer homes have a 100 Amp power panel. To see the power panel rating for your home, check the amperage rating printed on your main circuit breaker.

The next step is to evaluate how much electrical energy you consistently use in your house by performing a self-assessment of your electricity use. This is an important step to do before you install an electric vehicle charging station because you do not want to overload your electric distribution panel.

4. Hire an Electrician

If you have chosen a Level 2 electric vehicle charging station, you will need to have it installed by a professional. Hiring an electrician to perform this task will usually cost a few hundred dollars. However, if it is found that your power panel is not sufficient as-is and requires upgrading, it will be more costly.

5. Choose a Charger and Have it Installed 

If you have not yet chosen an electric vehicle charging station, now is the time to do so. Then, you can have the electrician of your choice set it up for you. 

Contact the EV Experts at Princeton BMW

Do you have questions about electric vehicle charging batteries or how to prepare your home for an electric vehicle? Don’t hesitate to contact the team at Princeton BMW. You can also learn more about BMWs and check out the latest EV models.