How to Prepare Your Home for an Electric Vehicle

More and more electric vehicles can be found on the roads of Evesham Township and Cherry Hill. Rising gas prices, concerns about climate change, and more are drawing many people to EV ownership. If you are also thinking about making an EV your own, you may have questions about a home electric vehicle charging station. The team at BMW of Mount Laurel has created this guide on how to prepare your home for an electric vehicle.

1. Select Your Preferred Charging Method

Generally, home chargers are categorized as either Level 1 or Level 2. Here’s what sets the two apart:

• Level 1 EV charging – Potentially could take days to fully charge an electric car
• Level 2 EV charging – Usually charges an EV in just a few hours (needs professional installation)

2. Make Space in Your Garage

Does your Hamilton Township garage have enough space to accommodate an electric vehicle charging station? If not, now is the time to clean out the clutter or get organized.

3. Locate the Power Panel & Assess Consumption

The power panel for your home distributes electricity throughout the entire building. Most new homes feature a 100 Amp power panel, which denotes the maximum amount of current flow. If you are not sure about your power panel’s rating, you should find it printed on your main circuit breaker. Then, perform a self-assessment of how much energy you typically use on a regular basis. When you install an electric vehicle charging station, you do not want to overload your electric distribution panel.

4. Hire an Electrician

An electrician can install a dedicated 240-volt plug or add a hardwired circuit back to the power panel if you’d like an electric vehicle charging station at your home. This can cost a few hundred dollars. However, if your power panel needs to be upgraded beforehand, that cost can be as much as $1,000 or $3,000.

5. Purchase an Electric Vehicle Charging Station and Have it Professionally Installed

If you have not yet chosen an electric vehicle charging station, research your options and choose one that works best for your needs. Then, have the electrician of your choice perform the installation.

Contact BMW of Mount Laurel for More Information

Do you still have questions about electric vehicle charging batteries? We can help with all of your EV-related questions. You can also research your favorite BMW models or stop by for a test drive. We’d love to show you the BMW EV lineup.