The explosion in the popularity of electric and hybrid cars has led to a corresponding growth in the need for electric car chargers at the street and in garages. Dropping an insulated extension cord out the front window to your car on the street might work in a pinch, but it is not a long-term solution to keeping your car road-ready.

So how do you install an electric car charger? There’s a simple way, a challenging way, and some options in between depending on how free from the grid you seek to be.

The simple way

The simple, usually best, way to do something is to call a professional. The experts at Price Electric have decades of experience working with electric in homes, garages, and running lines above and below ground. Simply call and schedule a meeting with one of our electricians, then they meet with you to see exactly what your needs and the space requirements are.

Then sit back and let us handle the rest. On the appointed day the work will be done, and up to code. You will be entering the next era of car power.

The middle road

There are two kinds of readily-available home power sources for your electric vehicle. These are categorized by their level, which generally correlates to how quickly they recharge your car or truck.

Level 1

The level one charger is simply a home outlet, 120 volts. Your car likely came equipped with a cord to plug into the wall and slowly charge your battery over time. Many garages are already equipped to accommodate level 1 charging. If your garage has electricity. This is a relatively simple installation accomplished by the average home handyman.

Level 2

Level 2 charging involves 240 volts, the kind that powers your electric dryer or perhaps another large appliance in your home. This requires running a dedicated line from the fuse box in your home. Generally this work is best accomplished by a professional electrician, though an accomplished home handyman with some electrical experience might feel comfortable taking on this task.

The high road

Of course, many millennials dream of leaving the grid permanently. This means linking their home charging station to dedicated solar panels. This is a noble goal, but difficult to achieve. This will require advanced electrical knowledge and elbow grease, as it involves not just complex electrical work but also adding to the primary frame of your house and working on the roof in most cases. Reserved for the most accomplished home handyman.

Have a question about charging your new electric vehicle? Call Price Electric!