5 Steps to Preparing for an Electric Vehicle Home Charger
The Winnipeg area has seen more and more electric vehicles on our roads and highways. That’s because automotive brands continue to produce these popular new vehicles as battery technology improves. As a top luxury brand, Lincoln continues to make strides in the EV segment with two plug-in hybrid (PHEV) models on our lot at Capital Lincoln Winnipeg, the Lincoln Nautilus and Lincoln Corsair, when you select the Grand Touring trim for each model. We expect to see the Lincoln Star sometime in 2025.
You can have an electric vehicle home charger for convenience and to save money versus going to an electric vehicle charging station in public. You have two main options for an electric vehicle home charger, although one is more efficient than the other. Our guide has more details about how to prepare your home for an electric vehicle in Brandon and beyond.
1. Choose a Charging Type (AKA Charging Level)
An electric vehicle home charger in your Portage la Prairie garage can utilize Level 1 or Level 2 charging. Level 2 is the faster charging method, and we highly recommend it for your home.
When charging electric vehicle batteries, understand that PHEVs take much less time to fully charge because their batteries are much smaller. You can easily charge the battery in the Nautilus or Corsair PHEVs in a few hours. Still, it helps to know how to prepare your home for an electric vehicle so you understand what needs to happen.
2. Prep Your Garage for an Electric Vehicle Home Charger
Consider cleaning out your garage in Dauphin for your new Level 2 charger. It’s usually installed in the wall of your garage. It’s either a standalone circuit or it connects to your electric panel. You’ll essentially have an electric vehicle charging station at home for your use.
3. Find Your Power Panel & Assess Your Power Consumption
The power panel in your home distributes electricity properly and safely. It will have a maximum Ampere (amp) rating that you can go up to for your home’s electricity needs. Amps measure the amount of electricity flowing through the wires. Most new homes come with a 100 Amp power panel. Look for your panel’s amp limit printed somewhere on it.
Assess how much electricity you use before installing a Level 2 electric vehicle charging station on your garage wall. You do not want to overload your electric distribution panel.
4. Hire an Electrician
Next, hire a licensed electrician to install a dedicated 240-volt plug or add a hardwired circuit that goes to the power panel. This special plug will only be used for charging electric vehicle batteries. It usually costs a few hundred dollars to install. But it’s worth the investment because you’ll save money on refuelling costs and have the convenience of charging at home.
5. Buy Your Charger & Have it Installed
Most brands have an approved 240-volt unit for charging electric vehicle batteries. Some brands have incentives for purchasing home chargers. Discuss your options with our team, and we’ll let you know what we recommend.
Contact Capital Lincoln Winnipeg to Learn More!
Do you need more information on how to prepare your home for an electric vehicle? Contact us or call 204-789-7010