Is Your Electrical Panel Ready for the Electric Revolution? Here’s What Every Homeowner Needs to Know Before Installing an EV Charger

As electric vehicles become increasingly mainstream, more homeowners are discovering that the journey to convenient at-home charging isn’t always as simple as plugging into a wall outlet. The heart of your home’s electrical system—your electrical panel—plays a crucial role in determining whether you can successfully install an EV charging station without major upgrades or safety concerns.

Understanding Your Home’s Electrical Capacity

Most homes are equipped with a 200-amp electrical service panel, but older homes may have a 100-amp panel or less. This distinction is critical because installing a Level 2 charger may require upgrading your electrical panel to accommodate the additional load. Many small, older properties operate on a single 100-A electrical panel. A capacity of 100 amps is sufficient for powering a central HVAC system and other essential home appliances while still providing enough power for everyone’s gadgets. Larger, modern homes operate on 200-A electrical panels.

A standard Level 2 EV charging station typically adds about 7,200 watts or 30 amps to your home’s electrical load. This additional demand can quickly overwhelm an older electrical system, leading to serious safety and performance issues.

Why Your 100-Amp Panel May Not Be Enough

The reality is that a Level 2 EV charger can easily use the majority of this capacity during operation. Many popular EV batteries require between 24 and 42 amps during use. This leaves very little power for essential, constantly running appliances like refrigerators and water heaters. It also means that there won’t be enough power to run your heater, heat pump, or air conditioner simultaneously.

Installing a Level 2 EV charger on a 100-A electrical panel can lead to flickering lights, frustrating breaker trips, and appliance malfunction. The resulting electrical problems can also shorten your charger’s lifespan and create the risk of electric shock, electrocution, and electrical fires.

Essential Electrical Requirements for EV Charging

To comply with NEC Article 625, cables and the circuit breaker must be rated for at least 125% of the output of a continuously operated device. The latest 50-amp home chargers require a dedicated 70-amp circuit. Your EV charging station will need a 200-A panel and a dedicated 240-V outlet. Given their exceedingly high power demands, Level 2 EV home chargers also require dedicated electrical circuits.

An electrician can determine if your existing electrical panel can handle an EV charger, or if you might need upgrades. This professional assessment is crucial because you need to ensure your circuit breaker is sized at least 125% of the charger it is attached to. As an example, a 40-amp Level 2 charger would require a dedicated 50-amp electrical circuit.

The Professional Installation Advantage

Installing a new circuit for EV charging requires modifications to your electrical system—something best left to a professional. Many areas require obtaining permits and safety inspections for residential electrical work, including EV charger installations.

When searching for an electric car charger for home near me, it’s important to work with experienced professionals who understand both the technical requirements and local regulations. Certified electricians provide home EV charger installation services to simplify owning an electric car and will inspect your electrical panel and the current electrical load in your home.

Marra Electric: Your Suffolk County EV Charging Partner

Since 2004, Marra Electric has been servicing the residents and business owners of Suffolk County, NY with quality services. They are quite experienced in installing these Tesla and electric car chargers as they have done many of them in the past, and provide same-day service to any residence with EV charging station installation experts who arrive at each job site fully prepared to complete the job on the same day.

The one thing customers really appreciate about this company is that they do not take any shortcuts. They do everything by the book and to code. The pride Danny has in his work and his attention to detail shows. They’ve been awarded the Super Service Award from Angie’s List over the past 4 years consecutively.

Planning for Future Electrical Needs

Consider potential future electrical needs if you decide to upgrade capacity: Plan for scenarios like charging multiple EVs or transitioning from gas to electric appliances (such as heat pumps) that could increase your home’s electrical power requirements. While the aforementioned devices offer temporary solutions, upgrading to a 200-amp panel is a future-proof choice. An upgraded panel brings increased safety against overloads, additional circuits for more demanding appliances, and ensures your home can accommodate future technological advancements. This upgrade not only supports your EV charger but also adds value to your home.

Cost Considerations and Installation Factors

The average cost for installing a Level 2 charging station ranges from $400 to $1,200 excluding charger cost. Installation costs will vary depending on electrical upgrades, cable length, and other features. Note that the further the charger is from your home’s utility panel, the more costly the installation.

Another major benefit of having a professional handle your EV charger installation is being able to incorporate whole-house surge protection. Whether your current electrical panel can support the addition of a Level 2 EV charger or a panel upgrade is required, this is an excellent time to make sure that all of your major appliances are protected. Adding surge protection when installing your EV charger will extend its life span, protect your EV battery’s health, and keep you warranty-compliant.

Preparing your home’s electrical panel for EV charger installation is a critical step that requires professional expertise and careful planning. By understanding your current electrical capacity, working with experienced professionals, and considering future electrical needs, you can ensure a safe, reliable, and efficient charging solution for your electric vehicle.