EV Charger Installation: How to Install an Electric Vehicle Charger at Home

Electric vehicles person become progressively popular successful caller years arsenic radical person go much alert of the biology interaction of gas-powered cars. With the maturation of the electrical conveyance market, determination has besides been an summation successful the request for charging infrastructure to enactment these vehicles. While nationalist charging stations are becoming much common, installing a location EV charger provides numerous benefits, including cheaper and much convenient charging. So, however bash you instal an EV charging presumption astatine home? 

In this Redfin article, we’ll research everything you request to cognize astir EV charger installation, from getting started, to benefits and drawbacks, to outgo considerations. Whether you unrecorded successful an apartment successful Wilmington, NC, to a house successful Duluth, MN, work connected to larn more.

What is an EV charger?

An EV charger, besides known arsenic an electrical conveyance charger oregon charging station, is simply a instrumentality that charges the batteries of electrical vehicles (EVs). EV chargers proviso energy to a vehicle’s artillery and are designed to enactment with circumstantial types of electrical cars and artillery configurations. 

Installing an EV charger astatine location is convenient and cost-effective. Not lone does it destruct the request to sojourn a nationalist charging station, but it besides allows for charging anytime without worrying astir availability oregon waiting successful line. 

EV charger installation: however to instal an electrical car charger

The installation process requires immoderate readying and preparation, but is usually straightforward. Here are the six wide steps for installing an EV charger astatine home:

1. Determine the benignant of charger you need: Before you commencement the installation process, find the benignant of charger you request based connected your vehicle’s charging requirements and your budget. You tin take from Level 1, Level 2, oregon Level 3 chargers, though Level 3 chargers are unsuitable for residential use owed to installation costs and energy requirements. 
2. Get indispensable permits: Depending connected your location, you whitethorn request to get permits earlier installing an EV charger. Check with your section authorities earlier starting the installation process.
3. Choose a determination for the charger: The perfect charger determination is adjacent to wherever you parkland your vehicle, with casual entree to the electrical panel. You should besides see factors specified arsenic the magnitude of the charging cablegram and if you request upwind protection.
4. Install a dedicated circuit: If you’re installing a Level 2 oregon Level 3 charger, you request to instal a dedicated circuit that tin grip the electrical load of the charger. This requires hiring a licensed electrician to instal the circuit and immoderate indispensable upgrades to your electrical panel.
5. Install the charger: Once the dedicated circuit is successful place, you tin instal the charger. The installation process varies depending connected the benignant of charger and the manufacturer’s instructions.
6. Test the charger: After the installation is complete, it’s clip to trial the charger to guarantee it’s functioning correctly. You tin trial the charger by plugging successful your electrical car and monitoring the charging process. Many charging stations travel with apps that assistance you find charging rates and energy costs.

Cord length

It’s important to consider cord length erstwhile installing an EV charger astatine home; it’s overmuch easier and little costly if you tin parkland your car adjacent to an existing powerfulness source. Luckily, caller chargers usually travel with astir 25 feet of cable, which is much than capable for astir setups. 

What types of EV chargers are there?

Several EV chargers are disposable connected the market, differentiated by their charging capabilities and installation methods. Chargers scope from Level 1 to Level 3. Level 1 chargers are the slowest and lone necessitate a modular outlet, portion Level 3 chargers are the fastest and are typically utilized successful commercialized settings. Some chargers besides include features to assistance with cord absorption and installation.

In the US, astir electrical cars are compatible with Level 1 and 2 chargers. Level 3 chargers, connected the different hand, often necessitate a Combined Charging System connector oregon different benignant of DC accelerated charging plug, which whitethorn oregon whitethorn not beryllium disposable to you. 

Let’s interruption these levels down a spot further.

Level 1

Level 1 chargers are the slowest benignant of EV charger, providing a charging complaint of astir 4-5 miles of scope per hr of charging. They usage a modular 120-volt household outlet and are typically included erstwhile you acquisition a caller electrical vehicle. Level 1 chargers are champion suited for overnight trickle charging astatine home, arsenic they tin instrumentality up to 24 hours to afloat complaint an bare battery. 

Level 2

Level 2 chargers supply a faster charging complaint than Level 1 chargers, typically providing 10-20 miles of scope per hr of charging. They necessitate a dedicated 240-volt circuit and whitethorn necessitate installation by a licensed electrician depending connected your municipality and home’s capabilities. Level 2 chargers are commonly recovered successful nationalist charging stations and are besides suitable for location use, arsenic they tin afloat complaint an EV artillery successful 4-8 hours.

Level 3

Level 3 chargers, besides known arsenic DC Fast Chargers oregon accelerated chargers, are the fastest benignant of EV charger and tin supply a afloat complaint successful arsenic small arsenic 20-30 minutes. They necessitate a specialized charging connector (called a accelerated charging plug) and typically usage a higher voltage and amperage than Level 1 and Level 2 chargers. Level 3 chargers are commonly recovered successful commercialized oregon nationalist charging stations and are unrealistic for idiosyncratic use. 

How overmuch does an electrical car charger cost?

Most EV chargers cost betwixt $300 and $1,500, depending connected the benignant of charger and installation requirements. Level 1 chargers are usually included with a caller electrical vehicle, and a replacement volition outgo astir $300. Level 2 chargers outgo betwixt $400 to $1,500, though that terms whitethorn emergence depending connected your electrical situation. Level 3 chargers are unsuitable for idiosyncratic usage and tin outgo up to $50,000. 

In summation to the charger’s cost, determination whitethorn beryllium further costs associated with installation, permits, and electrical upgrades, peculiarly for Level 2. Installation costs tin alteration wide depending connected factors specified arsenic the determination of the charger, the electrical infrastructure of the building, and the request for further instrumentality oregon permits. If you person questions, telephone your section electrical institution oregon authorities hotline. 

Other outgo considerations

Many government taxation credits, grants, and rebates are disposable passim the US to assistance offset the outgo of EV chargers and installation. These incentives alteration by determination and scope from monthly payments to subsidized purchases. 

Some states and cities whitethorn person higher electrical conveyance registration fees to offset the deficiency of gasoline taxes, which galore governments usage for roadworthy maintenance. Do your probe earlier investing successful electrical vehicles to spot if the outgo is close for you. 

It’s besides important to see the higher electrical bills that travel with charging an electrical vehicle. Luckily, astir EV chargers person companion apps to assistance you way information specified arsenic energy usage, estimated cost, charging time, and more. 

How agelong does it instrumentality to complaint an electrical car?

Charging times alteration depending connected your charging presumption (Level 1, 2, oregon 3), your home’s electrical capabilities, and your car’s model. In general, Level 1 chargers supply a afloat complaint successful 12-24 hours, Level 2 chargers supply a afloat complaint successful 4-8 hours, and Level 3 chargers capable an bare artillery successful astir 30 minutes. 

Additionally, immoderate electrical cars person larger onboard chargers that tin judge higher charging rates, reducing the charging time. Charging times tin besides alteration depending connected the battery’s condition, the weather, temperature, and more. 

How to incorporated an EV charger into your location design

With assorted designs and styles disposable connected the market, it’s elemental to take an EV charger that complements your home’s design.

One enactment is to take a modern charger with a minimalist plan that blends seamlessly into your home’s exterior. This benignant of charger often features cleanable lines and a elemental colour scheme, and is disposable successful each 3 charging levels. 

Additionally, you tin see the charger’s determination erstwhile incorporating it into your caller home’s aesthetic, particularly if you’re gathering a new customized home. For example, if you person a driveway, prime a charger you tin equine connected a concealed station oregon wall, allowing it to blend seamlessly into your design.

Final thoughts connected EV charger installation

As electrical vehicles go much fashionable and affordable, accessible and reliable charging infrastructure is becoming much critical. Installing EV chargers successful homes, workplaces, and nationalist areas not lone benefits EV owners but besides helps trim greenhouse state emissions and improve aerial quality. With advancements successful exertion and accrued authorities support, installing EV chargers has go easier and much affordable than ever before. 

If you privation to reduce your c footprint astatine home and assistance the environment, EV chargers tin beryllium an fantabulous prime for you.

The station EV Charger Installation: How to Install an Electric Vehicle Charger astatine Home appeared archetypal connected Redfin | Real Estate Tips for Home Buying, Selling & More.