What You Need to Know About Installing Electric Car Charging Ports

Electric cars are becoming more and more popular and affordable for people throughout the United States, and if you purchase an electric vehicle, you’re going to need a charging station to go with it.

So, what do you need to know about having a charging port for an electric car installed at your home if you’re going to purchase a new electric vehicle? Here’s some information from residential electricians in Forsyth County, GA.

Consider your current electrical system

Before you can begin the installation process for a new electric car charging port, you’ll need to have your electrical infrastructure analyzed by a qualified professional. Your garage or other parking area could already be outfitted with outlets, or it might lack electrical infrastructure altogether. You need to make sure you’ve got the capabilities already in place before bringing in the charger. If not, you’ll need to make some basic electrical upgrades to the area in which you park your car.

Determine how you use your car

What kind of electric car do you wish to purchase, and how do you expect to use it? Perhaps you’ll only use it for your commute to and from work, or for driving around town. If so, consider the access you have to other charging stations. Does such a station exist at your place of employment, or at nearby malls, parking lots or gas stations? Also, how much time will it take you to charge up your vehicle? You need to make sure you’ve thought through all of the logistics of charging before you move forward with purchasing a vehicle and charging port.

Consider the charging speed

Let’s focus a bit more on how much time it takes to charge your vehicle. You should always aim to leave home with a full charge on your vehicle, but how long it takes you to get to a full charge depends primarily on the type of option you choose. Plugging your vehicle into a standard outlet can charge your car, but it will take much longer than charging ports that have been specially designed for doing this. There are also a variety of options available within the realm of charging ports. Level 2 charging ports charge your vehicle more efficiently, using 240-volt power (compared to the 120-volt charging you’d get out of a standard outlet). You may need a wiring upgrade to be able to use this type of charger, though.

Get through the permitting

Any time you perform electrical upgrades at your home, you need to make sure you get the proper permits to complete the job. This could cost you a couple hundred dollars. Generally, an electrician who works with you will be able to pull these permits as part of their work.

For more information about what you need to know before installing a car charging port for your electric vehicle, contact Duke Electric Co. to speak with one of our experienced residential electricians in Forsyth County, GA. We look forward to working with you soon!

Categorised in: Residental Electricians

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