How to Prepare Your Home for an Electric Vehicle

Buying an electric vehicle is a big step in reducing your carbon footprint, decreasing your automotive ownership costs and service costs, and so much more. But buying an EV does require some careful forethought and planning, at least for the time being, until charging stations become ubiquitous in Glendale. Should that be enough to scare you away from an EV? No! Not if you follow Pacific BMW’s tips for how to prepare your home for an electric car! Read on to learn more or contact us anytime with additional questions!

Step 1: Do Your Research

Bringing home an EV is a monumental step in helping you drive gas-free in Los Angeles or Hollywood. But it’s important to be prepared by doing your research and knowing what you’re getting yourself into in advance! The first step in solving any problem involves awareness. So make sure that you’re aware of all your charging options first by doing your homework! When you do, you’ll realize that there are two main types of chargers: Level 1 & Level 2 chargers.

Step 2: Select a Type of Charger

Once you’ve done your homework, you’ll want to choose between Level 1 or Level 2 Electrical Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE for short). Here’s more information on each type of EV charging system:

• Level 1 EV Chargers: Level 1 EVSE offers charging through a 120-volt outlet. All it requires is a standard outlet with the added exception of requiring a dedicated branch circuit. For this reason, hiring an electrician or EV home charging system is always recommended, regardless of your preferred charging method. Basically, before charging your EV, you’ll also want to make sure that no other devices or appliances are routed to the same circuit. 
• Level 2 EV Chargers: Level 2 EVSE offers EV charging through a 240-volt AC plug and will charge your BMW EV much faster than 120-volt charging, making it a favored option among Burbank-area drivers. However, it does require dedicated charging equipment and a dedicated electrical circuit of 20-100 amps. Typically this type of charging system costs between $500-$2,000 but is worth it for the convenience alone for many EV owners. 

Step 3: Set Up Your Recharging Station or Have it Installed

Once you’ve decided on a charging station, you’ll want to have a professional come in to locate your power panel, audit power consumption, and finally, install the charging station if you choose Level 2 EVSE. If you choose Level 2 EVSE, you don’t need to hire a professional so long as you’re confident that your outlet has a dedicated branch circuit. If in doubt, call in the pros or contact our service experts!

Step 4: Research Your Local Public Recharging Stations

Home charging is important. But it’s also good to be aware of where local public charging stations are so that you can charge your BMW plug-in hybrid or EV on-the-go! Of course, if you’re traveling outside Pasadena on a road-trip, this step becomes even more important.

Contact Us Today for More Information on EV Charging Tips!

What is the Best electric home car charger? There’s no right answer to that question; it all depends on your needs and your budget. But if you’re still torn between Level 1 EVSE and Level 2 EVSE, we invite you to contact us here at Pacific BMW or give us a call at (818) 246-5600 for help!