When driving around Irvine, you’ve seen EV after EV and wondered if it’s time to upgrade. Before you buy, you will have to prepare your home for an electric vehicle. While EVs have multiple benefits — mainly a reduction in your carbon footprint and lower service costs — you’ll want to decide whether you want an electric vehicle home charger. When you buy a new EV, you need to be sure that you’re ready.
While public EV charging stations are appearing around Foothill Ranch, you may want your home to have an electric vehicle charging station as your primary charging spot. For you EV newcomers, Mercedes-Benz of Foothill Ranch has put together a guide on how to prepare your home for one of our Mercedes-Benz electric cars. If you have more questions, call us at 949-415-3136 or reach out online.
It’s important to do your research on the different types of electric vehicle charging stations. Most electric vehicle chargers fall into Level 1 or Level 2 categories. Compare how they work below:
Before you buy an electric vehicle and plan when to charge your batteries, remember to clean out your garage. You need to prepare your garage for an EV before you schedule a delivery. Remove any clutter and make sure there is enough space for the electric car and the installed charger.
Your home’s power panel helps distribute electricity throughout the entire building. It should be rated for a maximum amount of current flow, measured in amperes. Most new homes feature a 100-amp power panel, but there should be an amperage rating on your main circuit breaker.
Next, you want to get a handle on how much electric energy you consistently use in your home by performing a self-assessment of your electricity use before installing an EV charging station. You don’t want to overload your electric distribution panel.
As you prepare your home for an electric vehicle, you need to hire an electrician. You can discuss with them any concerns you have about power consumption and the addition of an electric vehicle home charger. You can have them install a dedicated 240-volt plug or add a hardwired circuit back to your power panel. This can cost a couple hundred dollars, but can reach upwards of $1,000 to $3,000, depending on your residence and if the power panel won’t be able to support an electric vehicle charging station.
As part of the Inflation Reduction Act, many EV buyers can claim an EV charger tax credit, of up to $1,000. To gain this credit, you will need to file Form 8911 with the IRS when it’s time to file your federal income tax return.
After everything is done, it’s time to buy your electric vehicle charging station and have it professionally installed by your electrician of choice.
Do you have additional questions about electric vehicle battery charging or want to know about the latest luxury EVs? Mercedes-Benz of Foothill Ranch is the place to choose. Browse our new vehicle specials and see if you can save money on your purchase. If you are ready to experience the latest generation of luxury EVs, Mercedes-Benz of Foothill Ranch is the place to go in Foothill Ranch!
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