If you’ve made the decision to purchase and drive an electric car, you know that the technology surrounding these vehicles is always evolving. But almost as important as how you get from point A to point B is having the battery life to do so.
Most electric vehicles come with adaptors that allow you to plug them into a wall outlet, but this can be painfully slow. If you’re planning on using your new electric vehicle (EV) as a daily driver, there are better and more efficient ways to charge up.
Let’s discuss how to optimize your home for charging an electric car. If you’re having trouble figuring out the science of how it all works or would like a professional’s help with making sure your home is equipped with the best option, call 4-Star Electric today for your car-charging needs.
Do You Need an EV Home Charger?
The most important thing to figure out is if you need a home charging station in the first place. Charging at home is always the most convenient. There’s no sharing or waiting for other drivers, and of course, you don’t need to travel anywhere for some juice.
But a couple of factors might mean you can get by without needing to rely on charging an electric car at home.
How Much Do You Drive?
Do you have a short commute to work? How much recreational driving do you do in your spare time? Questions like these are good to ask if you’re thinking about installing a charger for your electric vehicle.
If your ride to the office is minimal, and your employer is ok with you charging your vehicle there, you may not need a charger at home. Especially when considering that there are numerous options when travelling for fun.
Are There Public Chargers Available Near You?
Take note of the public charging stations around your home and how busy they are. It may be a good solution for you to use those instead, depending on your schedule.
If you’re able to incorporate a pit stop on the way home or before the workday, public charge stations may be a good option. However, if these facilities are always busy or regularly require maintenance due to over-usage, home charging may be the best route to take.
If you plan on relying on your electric vehicle for work or other weekly responsibilities, a fully-capable home charger is probably the wisest choice. What you don’t want is an awesome new electric ride with no way to get where you need to go.
What Are My Electric Car Charging Options?
The simplest solution when charging at home is to use your car’s plug-in adapter and use a regular wall outlet. But just because your cell phone can recharge in 30 minutes, doesn’t mean your car can!
The standard 120 volt supply of electricity from your home’s outlets provides a current that can charge your vehicle, but it could take more than a day! Not ideal if you’re getting home after work, need to run some errands, and then looking to drive in the early morning.
Having a professional electrician evaluate the power supply of your home is the best way to know what steps to take when having your home charging station configured. You may need an electrical panel upgrade, or just the outlets upgraded to suit your needs.
A 240-volt power supply and plug will be needed for a faster charging experience. With that, there are also numerous options for car chargers themselves. Certain manufacturers will only charge with their own style of charger, whereas others will work with many different kinds.
Our electricians at 4-Star Electric can lay out all the options when it comes to choosing the best charging setup for your electric car. We’ll evaluate the type of vehicle you have and your home’s electrical capabilities. Book a consultation to make sure your eco-friendly lifestyle is a convenient one!
What Does a Home Installation Look Like?
With any home charging station installation, it can be difficult knowing where to start. Not every electrical upgrade is the same and a lot of what is needed depends on your home’s current electrical systems. And of course, you don’t want to do damage to your new, expensive purchase! If you’re not sure exactly what to look for, it’s best to use the services of a professional electrician.
The experienced staff at 4-Star Electric can come to your home, evaluate the current power supply, and inspect your electrical panel. Along with identifying the current types of outlets in your home, they’ll create a plan to determine what upgrades are needed.
Backed by decades of experience, you’ll have complete peace of mind knowing that the initial installation, as well as any servicing that may be required come with our 4-Star Electric 100% Satisfaction Guarantee.
Call today for the all-in-one home charging station solution. With reliable charging at home for your electric car, you can save on gas and save on headaches!
