How to Prep Your Home for an EV

Are you getting ready to trade in your gas-powered car for your first all-electric vehicle? If you take a few simple steps to prepare your home for an electric vehicle, the transition will be a lot smoother! Lexus of Tulsa is here to help you enjoy a seamless switch to electric motoring near Broken Arrow. Check out our tips, below!

1. Choose a Charging Level

What type of electric vehicle charging station will be your primary charging option? When it comes to electric vehicle home chargers, you’ll decide between Level 1 or Level 2:

• Level 1 uses the portable charging cord that comes with your new EV, which can be plugged into any household style outlet. However, Level 1 charging takes days to go from 0% to 100%, so it’s not ideal for long-term EV ownership.
• Level 2 is the preferred type of electric vehicle home charger for the majority of EV owners in Owasso. With Level 2 DC charging, you can amass between 60–200 miles of range in about 30 minutes. This type of charger can be purchased separately from your EV and installed at your home by a certified electrician.

2. Tidy Your Garage

If there’s clutter in your garage, you will want to clear out a space that’s large enough to park and charge your EV. Make sure you clear enough room for the charging cord to reach your vehicle without coiling or kinking, and ensure there is proper ventilation as well.

3. Locate Your Power Panel & Assess Energy Consumption

Your home has a power panel that distributes electricity. On the power panel, there should be a maximum amount of current flow noted, and it should be measured in Amperes. New homes typically have a 100 Amp power panel, but you must confirm the rating for your home where it’s printed on the main circuit breaker.

You should also assess how much energy your household consumes, so you don’t risk overloading the power panel when your EV is charging.

4. Hire an Electrician

Next up, you should hire a certified electrician. Discuss your household’s energy consumption with them and ensure that it’s safe to add an electric vehicle charging station to your garage or driveway. They can let you know if your home is ready for an electric vehicle home charger as-is, or if there are changes that need to be made first.

5. Buy Your Electric Vehicle Home Charger & Get it Installed

The last—and most important—step to prepare your home for an electric vehicle is to find out what types of electric vehicle home chargers are compatible with your new EV. Choose the one you like best, purchase it, and schedule an appointment for your certified electrician to install it in your garage or a covered area on your driveway.

Contact Us to Learn More!

Do you have any additional questions about your electric vehicle, charging the batteries, or any other EV topics? Lexus of Tulsa is here to help you make a smooth transition to electric driving in the Bixby area! Contact us anytime to chat, and we’ll be happy to provide more information.