Visiting a public EV charging station can be a frustrating experience. First you have to find a charger that actually works, and then you have to wait patiently as your batteries are recharged. Installing a home EV charging station would make life a lot easier, but that would involve dealing with red tape and hiring an experienced electrician. Is it worth it? Let’s take a look at some of the pros and cons.
Pro: You Will Be Able to Charge Your EV Much More Quickly
You could plug your EV into a standard home electrical outlet to recharge its batteries, but that would take all day. If you install a Level 2 EV charging station in your home, your EV will be charged up and ready to go in just a few hours. You won’t have to visit a public charging station when your batteries need a boost, and you won’t have to pull out a debit or credit card every time you plug a charging cable into your EV.
Con: Your Electrical Panel May Not Be up to the Job
You won’t be able to install a Level 2 EV charging station in your home unless your electrical panel provides 200-amp service and has an open breaker. Most houses built in the 1980s and later have 200-amp electrical panels and plenty of breakers, but you may have to upgrade or replace your panel if you live in an older home. Replacing an electrical panel can double the cost of an EV charging station installation.
Pro: Your Home Will Be Worth More
Your home will be more attractive to potential buyers if you install a Level 2 EV charging station, and that will increase its value. Homebuyers today see EV charging stations as luxury features, but they will soon be considered a necessity. The number of EVs on the nation’s roads is increasing every year, and it won’t be long before selling a home without a charging station becomes extremely difficult.
Con: You’ll Need to Deal With Red Tape
You will likely need a permit if you decide to install an EV charging station in your home, and that will mean dealing with red tape. You’ll need to fill out a form and submit detailed plans to apply for a permit, and the permit won’t be issued until your home has been inspected. Building codes are strict, and you will likely have to dig a trench and install an electrical raceway if your EV charging station will be installed more than 100 feet from your electrical panel.
We Can Answer Your EV Charging Station Questions
Ambition Electric can take the stress and hassle out of installing a home EV charging station. Our friendly and knowledgeable technicians have more than 30 years of industry experience, and they would be happy to guide you through the entire process.
If you live in the Lincoln, NE area and are thinking about installing an EV charging station, call us today for a free estimate.
