As electric vehicles are becoming more and more popular around Portland and Tigard, you may find yourself thinking about making the switch when it’s time to shop for a new vehicle. In addition to finding the perfect EV for your driving needs and budget, you need to also prepare your home for an electric vehicle. BMW of Tigard covers what you need to know about electric vehicle charging batteries and installing an electric vehicle charging station in the helpful guide below.
When it comes to at-home charging, your options for an electric vehicle charging station usually fall into the category of Level 1 or Level 2:
If you are looking to install an electric vehicle charging station, you also need to make sure that your Lake Oswego garage is ready. There needs to be enough space to accommodate the electric vehicle charging station, so you may need to do a bit of cleaning or organizing beforehand.
Your home features a power panel that distributes electricity throughout the entire building. It should be rated for a maximum amount of current flow measured in Amperes. If you have a newer home, you likely have a 100 Amp power panel. You can check by taking a look at the amperage rating printed on your main circuit breaker.
Before installing an electric vehicle charging station, you need to know how much energy you typically use on a regular basis by performing a self-assessment. You don’t want your EV charging station to overload your electric distribution panel.
A Level 2 electric vehicle charging station will need to be installed by an electrician. Generally, this will cost a few hundred dollars. However, it can cost more if the power panel needs to be upgraded to accommodate an EV charging station.
If you have yet to select an electric vehicle charging station, now is the time to find one that works for you. Once you have selected an EV charger, have your electrician install it.
If you have any questions about how to prepare your home for an electric vehicle or about EV ownership in general, reach out to the team at BMW of Tigard. You can also explore your options at our Tigard showroom or further research your favorite models.
