1. Choose a Charging Method
What type of electric car charging station do you plan to use? Most at-home charging systems fall into Level 1 or Level 2:
- Level 1 EV charging often takes days to fully charge an electric car, but you do not have to have an electric vehicle charging station installed by an electrician.
- Level 2 EV charging often takes several hours to fully charge an electric car, but you will need to have this type of charging station professionally installed.
2. Prep Your Garage
Make sure there is enough space in your garage if you plan to install an electric vehicle charging station. Give yourself enough time to clean out or reorganize the space before you bring home your EV to Coconut Creek.
3. Find Your Power Panel & Assess Energy Consumption
The power panel in your home distributes electricity throughout the entire building, and it will be rated for a maximum amount of current flow measured in Amperes. Most new homes feature a 100 Amp power panel, but if you are not sure about yours, the amperage rating should be listed on the main circuit breaker.
You also need to get an estimate of how much electrical energy you consistently use in your home. You want to make sure the addition of an electric car charging station will not overload your electric distribution panel.
4. Hire a Reliable Electrician
An electrician can install a dedicated 240-volt plug or add a hardwired circuit back to the power panel. While this is usually pretty affordable, it could be a bit more costly if your power panel will need to be upgraded. This is a concern you can discuss with your electrician prior to installation.
5. Find the Right Electric Vehicle Charging Station and Have it Installed
Find the right charging station for electric vehicle charging batteries and have it installed by the electrician of your choice. Then, you are ready for EV ownership!
Learn More About EV Ownership with BMW of Fort Lauderdale
If you have more questions about EV ownership, do not hesitate to reach out to the team at BMW of Fort Lauderdale. We would be delighted to tell you more about the latest EV models from BMW, the i4 and the iX. Contact us today!
