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There are many benefits to charging your electric vehicle at home. It is convenient, can save you money, and is better for your battery. Before contacting a professional for installation, it’s essential to know the variables that can affect pricing.
The two main factors that will affect the cost of installation are:
- The distance between your electrical panel and the location where the charging station will be installed.
- The amount of voltage and amperage that is needed to charge your vehicle.
Location and Accessibility
The location of your charging station is one of the main factors that can increase the installation cost. The best place to install an EV charger, whether hardwired or plug-in, is near your main electrical panel. The farther the charging station is from your electrical panel, the higher the cost will be due to materials and labor.
How do you determine if you need indoor or outdoor installation? Here are some things to consider.
Indoor Installation
You should install your EV charger indoors if:
- You have a garage with enough space to park your electric vehicle
- You don’t have a garage, but the location of your parked EV is near your back/front door
- You have a storage shed, and you can park your EV near it
As long as you can access the charging cable to your vehicle, you can install your EV charger indoors wherever you please (preferably close to your main panel). Indoor installation ensures you don’t need to worry about the weather’s outside elements harming your charger’s inside components.
Outdoor Installation
Outdoor installation may be needed if:
- You don’t have enough space in your garage to fit your electric vehicle
- You don’t have a garage, but you do have a carport where you can park your EV
- You don’t have a garage or a carport, and you need to park your EV in the driveway
If you’re unable to install your EV charger indoors, you should plan for an increase in cost since you’ll need to take extra precautions to keep it safe. We recommend installing a 240-volt hardwired EV charger for better protection from the outdoor weather. If you are installing a plug-in charger, installing a “bubble cover” is crucial to protect your outlet.
Electrical Panel Capacity
You likely used fewer electrical appliances and equipment when your electrical panel was installed. Therefore, you may need to upgrade your panel to sustain the charging capabilities required for your EV.
The recommended electrical panel that you should install is a 200 amp main panel. This upgrade will provide the necessary capacity to run additional equipment well into the future and prevent you from damaging any appliances or equipment in your home. Preparing for this increase in cost will ensure you have a safe EV charger for many years.
If you are interested in installing an EV charger at home, our team at Spotlight Energy Solutions is ready to guide you through the process. Contact us today at (800) 346-6254 or visit our website.