Everything You Need to Know About EV Home Chargers

Gas prices may reach new record highs in the next few years, making electric vehicles a popular option. If you’ve recently purchased an EV, whether it’s full electric or a plug-in hybrid, you’ll want a safe, effective, and fast way to charge your vehicle. Public supercharging stations are an option, but the cost of recharging may not be as economical as you’d like. The idea of plugging in at home, particularly if you have solar panels that help keep your electric costs down, can be very attractive.

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Let’s take a look at the facts surrounding home charging and answer some of the most frequently asked questions you may have when you’re doing that search for ​“EV home charger installation near me.” We’ll consider:

• Benefits of installing an EV home charger
• How your home EV charger works
• Charging your electric vehicle with solar panels
• How the Tesla universal EV charger works
• What’s the cost to install an EV charger at home?
• How much is a Tesla charging station at home?
• Frequently asked questions about EV home chargers

If you’re concerned about cost, make sure to check out our blog, ​“Cost To Install EV Charger at Home” for an in-depth review of installation cost factors.

Benefits of Installing an EV Home Charger

You’ve got a brand-new electric vehicle, but where are those savings at the pump? While supercharging at a public charger is an option, it comes with a fairly substantial fee of approximately $0.10 per mile. Since some economy cars also get $0.10 per mile, it’s not the savings you might otherwise expect. However, with a home EV charger, you can get the cost down to less than $0.05 per mile in most areas. If you live in an area where electricity prices are substantially below the average rate of $0.17 kph, you could fill up for even less.

With convenient, overnight charging and the lower cost to fill the battery, an at-home charging station is a critical factor for getting the most value out of owning an EV.

How Your Home EV Charger Works

You can charge your vehicle using any outlet, but an EV charging station makes it faster to get to full and adds safety protocols to protect your home and car in the event of a power surge. With Level 1 charging, or a standard 120-volt outlet, you get between 2 – 5 miles of range for every hour you spend plugged in. That means it would take 40+ hours to fill up a mid-range electric vehicle if you have the fastest trickle charge rate.

But if you’re looking for a home EV charger installation, you’re likely looking for the upgraded Level 2 charging option. With this 240-volt outlet, you can get up to 60 miles of range per hour, which means most cars fill the battery overnight.

Charging Your Electric Vehicle with Solar Panels

Charging your electric vehicle with solar panels is a smart and eco-friendly way to power your car. Solar panels capture energy from the sun and turn it into electricity, which you can use to charge your EV. This means you can drive without relying on traditional power sources, reducing your carbon footprint and saving money on electricity bills. You might also consider investing in a battery storage system to charge your vehicle at night. That way, you can wake up the next morning to a fully charged vehicle, without paying costly peak utility rates.

How the Tesla Universal EV Charger Works

The Tesla Universal Wall Connector is a hardwired charger that you can install in your garage or outside your home. It’s a Level 2 charger that delivers up to 48 amps of power, but the amperage adjusts to match what your home can handle. This allows you to maximize charging while mitigating the risks of a major power draw. Plus, you won’t trip the circuits trying to charge your car.

Tesla’s Universal Wall Connector is compatible with all of the brand’s vehicles, and it has Wi-Fi connectivity that allows you to monitor and schedule charging sessions remotely. With a weather-resistant casing, you can put it in a garage or install it on the exterior of your home. Speak with Photon Brothers’ licensed electricians to determine the best placement for an EV charging station at your home. You can also check out our blog, ​“Understanding Tesla Home Charging Requirements” for more information about charging speeds and how to choose the right charger for your needs.

Using the Charger Station

What’s the Cost to Install an EV Charger at Home?

The cost of getting an EV charger installed at home can vary dramatically. You may pay as little as $1,200 or as much as $4,000+. It all depends on what electrical work you need, the type of charging station you install, and the distance between your electrical panel and where you want your car parked. To get a ballpark quote, visit our Tesla EV Charger page and use our EV calculator to see your estimated price in seconds.

How Much Is a Tesla Charging Station at Home?

Tesla advertises the cost of installation at approximately $1,500 installed. However, that price is not guaranteed. Once you have the station up and running, it should cost no more to run than any other appliance. You’ll pay for the electricity you use at the same rate that you pay to keep the lights on or the refrigerator running.

Frequently Asked Questions About EV Home Chargers

Here are the answers to some of the most common questions consumers ask about getting an EV home charger installed.

What’s the EV Charger Installation Process Like?

Once you’ve selected a compatible charger and your electrician has approved your chosen installation location, the process is pretty streamlined. Your installer will turn off the power to your home, install a 240-volt outlet if you don’t already have one, run wiring to connect the outlet to the charging station, mount the charger, connect it to the outlet, and run safety and operational tests.

What Are the Electrical Requirements for EV Chargers?

Depending on the type of charging station you’re installing, expect to need a 240-volt outlet that supports amperage of between 20 – 60 amps. You’ll also need a dedicated 30 – 60 amp circuit breaker and may need a GFCI breaker, as well. If the charger is located close to the panel box and there isn’t a pre-installed 240-volt outlet, you may be able to install it directly into the panel box. Your electrician will need to check the load to ensure your box can handle the new power draw without overloading. To learn more, check out our blog, ​“Understanding Tesla Home Charging Requirements.”

Are EV Home Chargers Safe?

Yes, EV home chargers are just as safe as any other properly installed electrical appliance. Make sure to work with licensed professionals and opt for a charger that has top-notch safety features for the best results.

How Long Does it Take to Charge On Average?

There are many factors that affect the time it takes for a battery to fill. Was it empty or near empty? How many miles does the battery offer in range? With a Level 2 charger, most vehicles can fill up with a solid night of charging.

Can I Charge My EV During a Power Outage?

It’s unlikely without the proper preparations. To ensure your EV stays charged during a power outage, you’ll need a reliable battery backup system, such as a power generator or solar panels with battery storage. This setup is crucial for maintaining your EV’s usability when the grid goes down. 

To learn more about charging your EV with solar, check out our blog, ​“Charging Electric Vehicles with Solar Panels.”

Are There Any Tax Rebates or Incentives for EV Chargers?

Yes! The Electrical Vehicle Charger Credit includes incentives for installing home EV chargers of up to 30% of the installation cost up to a maximum of $1,000. The incentive is in the form of a tax credit which can help reduce the amount of money you owe when you file your annual tax return. Residents in California can find more details on our EV Charger Rebate page, while those in Colorado should visit our Colorado Solar & Battery Incentives page.

For a comprehensive guide to federal, state, and local tax credits — including business tax credits for installing EV chargers at commercial properties — check out our blog post, ​“EV Charger Tax Credit: What You Need to Know.”

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Who Should I Hire to Install an EV Charger?

Hire a licensed professional who is highly experienced. An electric vehicle represents a fairly large investment, and so does your home. Make sure both are protected by work that’s up-to-code and done by qualified electricians.

Hiring an electrician to help install your EV charger

If you're planning to install an EV charger at home, you'll likely need an electrical contractor. A contractor can provide guidance and support when installing and connecting your electrical infrastructure.

You may not need an electrician if:

• You're plugging in a Level 1 charger into an existing outlet.
• You already have an existing 240 volt outlet and are using a portable Level 2 charger.
   

Your electrician will obtain all necessary permits and inspections for their work. If you aren't planning on working with an electrician, you'll need to apply for and coordinate these steps on your own.

If you're unsure on how to start, consult a professional.

Need an electrician? Submit a request online. We'll refer you to a qualified electrician who is part of the Alliance of Energy Professionals.
 

Questions to ask your electrician about installing an EV charger

A certified electrician has the knowledge and expertise to install your EV charger properly. If you're uncertain about the process, they can help you understand what work you'll need done.

Here are some questions you can ask.

How much electricity do I need?

An electrician will help you understand what kind of charger will meet your needs. This can depend on your specific EV model, how often you use it, and how quickly you want to charge at home.

Do I need to upgrade my BC Hydro electrical service?

Most homes will have sufficient electrical capacity to power a Level 2 EV charger. However, to confirm this, your electrician will have to look at your electrical panel(s). From there, they can determine whether you can accommodate the additional electrical load.

If electrical capacity is an issue, there are ways to avoid a service upgrade. Installing anEV power management device may help manage your electrical load.

If an upgrade to your electrical service is necessary, your electrician will manage that process for you.

How will you determine my home's spare electrical load?

We recommend that your electrician reviews your last 12 months of actual meter usage data. This is used to calculate your home's spare electrical capacity.

This method results in more accurate figures than the traditional calculation approach, which estimates future electrical load. Using future estimates can overestimate the amount of electricity needed, and even lead to unnecessary upgrades.

To view your historical meter data, log in to MyHydro and follow these steps:

• Select View detailed consumption
• Select Export data
• Select the relevant calendar period. In this case, it's the last 12 months
• Select Hourly interval

This will create an Excel file with your data. Be sure to remove your BC Hydro account number for privacy, save the file, and it to your electrician.

Will my electrical panel accommodate a new circuit for the EV charger?

A dedicated circuit in the panel is usually required for an EV charger. If you don't have sufficient space in your existing panel you may need to have a sub-panel installed.

Your electrician can advise if installing an EV power management device is a better option for you. This option may allow you to share a circuit, or avoid a sub-panel upgrade.

How will you get electricity to my EV charger?

Your home's existing electrical infrastructure will likely be a factor when deciding where to place your EV charger. Often, you'll be charging at or near your home's existing circuits and plugs, so you may not need extensive wiring work.

Will this work require an electrical permit?

Installing a Level 2 EV charger at home requires an electrical permit. Your licensed contractor will apply on your behalf.

Contact us to discuss your requirements of EV Power Charger. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.