If you buy an electric vehicle and want to charge it at home, you have only one option: a level 2 charging system, which works on 240 volts. Typically, the smallest EV you can drive on a 120-volt charge, called Level 1, and is 5 miles in an hour if the vehicle you’re charging is efficient. This charging speed is a long way off for a pure battery EV with a range of hundreds of miles. With the right car and Level 2 charging system, you can charge your car at speeds over 40 mph. Although a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) may operate at Level 1 because the battery is smaller, we still recommend Level 2 speeds to maximize EV driving. Level 1 charging does not provide enough power to start the heat or air conditioning to pre-condition the cabin in extreme temperatures while still connected to mains power.

Should I buy a charger before purchasing an electric vehicle? Probably not. Almost all EVs come with something called a Level 1 charger. These chargers plug directly into a standard outlet. But although they require minimal effort and cost, they charge the car battery at a low speed. You may be able to drive dozens of miles on a single charge overnight, but it will take more than a day to charge an empty battery fully. You should also ensure that your home’s electrical system can handle the additional load of charging the car while washing clothes or using the microwave oven. When we talk about installing an EV charger at home, we mostly mean Level 2 chargers. Because they are more powerful, consumers can charge their batteries overnight and add tens of miles of driving range with just one hour of plugging in.

Level 2 chargers require a different type of plug (think of the outlets your washer and dryer use), and you need to contact a reputable company like KCS Group and their experienced technicians to set it up. 

How do I know if my home can accommodate an electric vehicle? 

Bad news: 

If your parking lot is on the street, your home probably can’t accommodate an electric car. You can install an EV charger if you have a driveway, garage, or other places to store your vehicle. “Some installations are more complicated than others,” says Caradoc Ehrenhalt, founder and CEO of EV Safe Charge, a charging solutions company in Los Angeles. In general, if you can park the car near an existing power source, you can install your charger much easier and cheaper. These days you can buy chargers with about 25 feet of cable, and as long as you can park within that distance, you can quickly charge your car.

But some homeowners are not so lucky. Ehrenhalt gives the example of a detached garage that is not connected to a power source and is located away from the house. To install an EV charger, you need to join the garage to the property’s electrical panel. It can include trenching and running cables underground, even cutting the surface of the corridor before backfilling and reclaiming it. In more complex cases, the installation process may take several days. If your electrical panel is in the basement, your roof is another obstacle, says Ouellette. You may need to drill holes to run the wiring. Benefits of EV charging at home Electric is the future of transportation, and we at KCS Group are on a mission to provide you with all the charging products, guidance and support you need to purchase a home charging point.

• Up to 3x faster than charging a standard three-pin plug at home or work 

• Cheaper than charging using a public charger without connection fees or expensive energy bills 

• No waiting for the charger to become free 

• Environmentally friendly because you can control the energy source 

8 Steps to a Successful Single-Family Home Installation 

If you own a single-family home with an electric vehicle, installing a Level 2 charger in your garage or near your driveway will make charging your truck easier. So it’s worth getting it right. If you live in an apartment, the steps are slightly different. Choose an experienced and professional electrician from KCS technicians. 

Need help finding an electrician? Request an Electrical Electrician Referral to contact qualified electricians from our Energy Professionals Association. To protect your home and electric vehicle, we strongly recommend hiring a certified electrician who has completed an electric vehicle infrastructure training program to do the job properly and safely.

Once you have hired a qualified electrician, follow the steps below to complete your installation. 

Installation steps 

Step 1: Determine your home’s eligibility 

Contact your municipality or Technical Safety BC to ensure your home qualifies for a charger. 

Step 2: Verify that you have adequate electrical service 

Check if enough electricity flows into your home to support the EV charger. 

Step 3: Verify that your switchboard has space. 

Check if there is enough space on your electrical panel to fit the circuit breaker for the EV charger. If not, you need an electrician to help. 

Step 4: Buy a charger 

Choose and buy an EV charger. Choose a model that qualifies if you plan to apply for a discount. 

Step 5: Get an electrical license. 

Apply to your municipality (or Technical Safety BC) for an electrical permit. If you hire an electrician like KCS, they will do it for you.

Step 6: Install the charger 

Install an EV charging station. Remember to have a safety officer inspect your electrical work before hiding any wiring or connecting to a power source. After the installation, your electrician should complete a contractor consultation form. You will need this when you apply for a discount. 

Step 7: Inspection 

Ask your municipality (or Technical Safety BC) for installation. If an electrician has done the structure, he will do it for you. 

Step 8: Apply for a discount. 

Submit your request for a discount. 

Why choose us? 

KCS Group has long experience in EV charger installation, which uses and installs high-quality chargers from famous brands to provide a complete EV charging solution. Everything you need, all in one place.

Our range is suitable for any electric vehicle, and our offer includes product, installation, accessories and energy tariff offers. 

One fixed price for charger and installation 

There are no hidden fees, and you won’t waste time filling out forms. For complete transparency, there is only one initial and fixed price. 

Reservation and installation in one day

You can order your new electric car charger and use the KCS Group interactive calendar to book an installation in one day. You will be in complete control!

Guarantee

Our service continues after the product is installed. You will benefit from a year of EV charger aftercare.