How do I prepare my home for a new electric vehicle?

Bringing home a brand new EV (electric vehicle) can be an exciting experience. That said, due to the way electric cars charge, more preparation is needed when getting ready to bring the vehicle home than a traditional gas run vehicle. In this article I am going to provide a list of simple steps to prepare you for your new EV car and also lay out a list of potential expenses you might not have thought of that will allow you to be one hundred percent ready to bring home your new electrical vehicle.

If this is your first time on my site, my name is Ryan Stevens and I am a local licensed C-10 contractor (fancy label for electrician) in Thousand Oaks, California. My main priority with Stevens Electric is to provide value, quality care and affordable options to my neighbors and clients throughout the Conejo Valley and surrounding areas. I am meticulous in everything that I do and truly care about my clients and like to treat their homes with the care I would my own home - leaving it better than I found it and making clients for life. Like many areas Thousand Oaks has many aging homes communities built in the late 50’s and early 60’s. Because of the older framework of the homes, while many are built really well - most electrical systems can use, or need updates to accommodate modern appliances, entertainment systems, and most relevant to this particular article, EV car charging stations.

The first thing you will want to do is check your existing panel and evaluate whether you have the capacity for the new vehicle. Most EV chargers require a dedicated 240V circuit. Double check your panel to see if it can handle the added load. You may want to call an electrician at this point in the process so they can help you evaluate your options and tell you if your current set up is sufficient or not.

The next step is to set up a dedicated circuit. A 240V outlet should be installed if you do not have one yet and a dedicated breaker should be added to your panel to ensure safety and that your panels other circuits are no overloaded. The location of the outlet should ideally be located for charging convenience. That said, the further the outlet is from the panel can affect the scope and cost of the job.

Something that a lot of homeowners may overlook is planning for the future. Do you think you might get a second EV in the future? If so, consider installing a higher capacity circuit now and setting yourself up for this second vehicle at the same time. This can save you time and money down the road.

Do not forget to check for local incentives and rebates. Many states and utility companies offer rebates for charger installation, panel upgrades and some even cover some of the cost of the electrical work.

Now you know the steps involved in preparing your home for your new vehicle, you will want to hire a local electrician. Look for an electrician who is licensed, insured and specifically experiences with EV Chargers. Key signs of a good choice include their ability to perform a site assessment, recommend equipment and ensure safety and code compliance. Check online reviews and assess their professionalism - are they a good communicator and do they provide good customer service? Key questions to ask: “Are you licensed, insured and familiar with local codes?” “How many EV Chargers have you installed?” “Can you assess my electrical panel and recommend a charger?”

Bringing home your new vehicle is exciting, but as you now know, comes with a list of steps to prepare for the charger installation. You now know how to prepare your home for the new vehicle and also the questions to ask to find a quality electrician. Now comes the fun part! Happy shopping!