You have bought your EV or plug-in hybrid, and now the search starts on EV charging. In my experience, most car dealerships are low on information about charging. In part, this is because the salespeople themselves are still learning about EV charging.
Below is 5 5-point checklist I typically walk customers through to decide if level 2 EV charging is appropriate.
- Do you own your home or is it a rental? If you are a homeowner, your house can handle a level 2 EV charger. Renters may be reluctant to invest and need the Landlord’s permission.
- Where is your electrical service panel located? If it is in a typical location such as the front of the property at ground level or the interior or exterior of a garage, then your home is well suited for level 2 EV charging.
- What electrical service do you have to your home? A 150 amp or 200 amp panel is better suited for level 2 EV charging. The panel likely needs to have enough circuit breakers to fit a dedicated 50-amp or 40-amp line. A 100 amp circuit breaker panel may not have sufficient slots, and a sub-panel or expensive panel upgrade may be necessary
- Are you planning to have solar panels, or do you currently have them? If you don’t have solar panels, it is not a deal breaker, but solar panels can provide the power needed cost-effectively for a level 2 EV charger. Our Wallbox Pulsar includes smart technology to take power from solar energy for EV charging
- Are you planning to stay in the home? If for more than 12 months, then a level 2 EV charger, even with any wiring or panel upgrades, is worthwhile.
We provide a combined EV installation service* and EV chargers. In our time in the EV industry, the vast majority of homeowners eventually opt for a level 2 EV charger with residential charging capability.
*EV charger installation is currently limited to Southern California
