Electric Vehicles are great for the environment, and for your wallet since they keep fuel costs low. However, one expense you can’t avoid is installing a charging station at home. You need a way to plug in your new EV so it’s always ready when you need it.

And the first thing you should know about installing a charging station at home is that you should not attempt to do it yourself. Installation is difficult and dangerous, particularly if you’re using a 240v charger which must be wired directly to the main line.

Here’s how the process typically works.

How To Install an EV Charging Station at Home

Select a charger

While some charging station installers carry their own chargers, typically you will buy it yourself first. Fortunately, unless you have a Tesla, every other EV model uses standardized chargers, so you have plenty of options.

Choose an installer

EV charger installation is a relatively new field, but you should still look for experienced companies. If nothing else, an experienced electrician with a long history will be able to handle the job well.

Pre-installation inspection

After choosing an installer, they’ll send someone to do an inspection and pre-planning. They’ll look at where you want the charger, take measurements, and verify if there are appropriate power lines nearby. This is also when you’ll get a finalized cost estimate on the job.

Arranging for the installation

Assuming everything looks good on the estimate, you’re ready to set up a date for installation. Be aware, installation typically takes between 2-4 hours, so assume it’ll take up most of a morning or afternoon.

Verifying everything works

After physical installation is complete, a good EV installation company will also verify it works, as well as helping you understand any other part of the process.

Once that’s done, you’re good to go! An EV charger should be able to last many years, once properly installed, with very little maintenance.

RD Matthews Electrical Contracting

RD Matthews Electrical Contracting are your northern Virginia experts in home EV charger installation. Our prices are fair, and we want to make sure you can get the most of your new EV! Click here to contact us and begin the process.