How to Prep Your Home for an EV

Are you getting ready to purchase your very first electric vehicle? One of the biggest benefits of electric cars is that they can be conveniently charged at home, but you’ll need to install an electric vehicle charging station before you bring your EV home to St Catharines or Niagara.

Your vehicle will come with a Level 1 electric vehicle home charger, but it can take up to 50 hours to obtain a full charge with this method. That’s why most EV drivers choose to install a Level 2 charger, which can provide a full charge overnight. Below, we cover everything you need to know about how to prepare your home for an electric vehicle.

Choose Your Charging Level

Electric vehicles are driving longer than even on a single charge, but all EV batteries need a charge eventually! So, how long does it take to charge an electric car? Once again, the answer depends on the charging method used. Since you’ll be installing a Level 2 electric vehicle charging station, that’s how you’ll charge your car most often. Keep in mind that electric vehicle charging batteries are all different, so charging times may vary even for the same method. Here’s what you should know:

• Level 1 EV charging takes 40 – 50 hours to fully charge an electric car. This method is useful as a backup measure when you’re out and about in Pelham and unable to find a charger.
• Level 2 EV charging takes 4 – 10 hours to fully charge an electric car. That translates to 100 –300 kilometres of range in 20 to 30 minutes of charging.

Prepare Your Garage for an Electric Vehicle Home Charger

If it’s been a while since you deep cleaned the garage, now is a great time to get it done! You’ll need to clear out some room for the charger itself and reduce clutter so that the installation process goes smoothly.

Assess Your Power Consumption

Next, you need to find your power panel and the amperage rating for your home. The power panel is responsible for distributing electricity throughout your home. Check the main circuit breaker for the amperage rating. Most new homes are rated for a maximum flow of 100 Amperes. Your next step is to determine how much power you’re currently using. You need to make sure that adding an electric vehicle charging station won’t overload the electric distribution panel.

Hire an Electrician to Install Your EV Charger

We can’t overestimate the importance of hiring a professional to install your electric vehicle home charger! An electrician can confirm that it’s safe to add a charger in the first place — and then install a dedicated 240-volt plug or a hardwired circuit back to the power panel. You can expect this to cost anywhere from a few hundred dollars to several thousand, depending on whether your power panel needs to be upgraded first.

Learn More About Electric Vehicle Charging Batteries with Performance Mercedes-Benz

Questions about the Mercedes-Benz electric car battery warranty or battery life expectancy? We’re happy to provide all the EV info you need so that you can prepare your home for an electric and start enjoying your new EV as soon as possible. We’re easy to reach from anywhere in Niagara-on-the-Lake, so don’t wait to pay us a visit!