If you're undecided about buying an electric vehicle because you're concerned that charging it will be a problem, then you should install an EV charger in your garage. Having a charger at home means your car will always have a full charge when you're ready to go somewhere and you won't have to search for an open public charger.

EV charger installation isn't that difficult. It's the same as installing any other appliance, such as a dryer, that pulls 240 volts of electricity. Here's are some steps involved in an EV charger installation.

Have An Evaluation Of Your Electrical Panel

Before you get too far along with planning your EV charger installation, bring in an electrician to check your panel to see if it has space to add a new dedicated 240-volt outlet. The electrician also checks that your home's electrical system can meet the demand of an electric car. If your home is fairly new, it may have a large-enough panel. If your home is older, there may not be room in the panel for another dedicated outlet.

If that's the case, the electrician can add an upgraded electrical panel to your home or put a subpanel in the garage. Knowing if any of this work is necessary helps plan your budget for the installation of your electric vehicle charger.

Choose The Type Of Charger You Want

There are several EV chargers on the market. You want one that's compatible with your car and with the way you use the car. You can buy a charger that plugs into a regular home outlet, but these can take nearly all day to charge the battery.

This might be acceptable if you just use your car occasionally, but if you drive to work daily and take your kids to activities frequently, then you'll want a 240-volt outlet that can charge the battery in just a few hours. Either way, you'll need a dedicated circuit for the charger.

Decide Where You Want The Charger

Placing the charger in your garage is a good choice because it will be protected from vandals, birds, squirrels, and storms. If you don't have a garage, the electrician can install the charger on the exterior of your home or on a pole. When the charger is in your garage, you can still charge your car if you park outside as long as you buy a cable long enough to reach your car.

When you install the charger in your garage, the electrician will mount the charger on the wall and hardwire it to electricity or install a 240-volt outlet beneath the charger.

Choose An Outlet Or Hardwiring

Ask your electrician if it's best to install an outlet or hardwire the charger. Both methods charge your car fairly fast, so it may come down to your preference. When the charger plugs in an outlet, you can move the charger more easily by unplugging it. The outlet is a standard 240-volt outlet so you could use it for a dryer or some other appliance if you sell your car.

When the charger is hardwired, the electrician connects the charger wiring to the wiring in your home, so the installation is permanent. You'll need an electrician to disconnect the charger if you ever want to sell it or buy a different charger.