How to Prepare Your Home for an EV Charger Installation

Preparing your home for an EV charger has gotten complicated with all the electrical requirements and permitting procedures flying around. As someone who’s helped dozens of Pacific Northwest homeowners through this process, I learned everything there is to know about what actually needs to happen before installation day. Today, I will share it all with you.

The good news: most homes can accommodate a Level 2 charger. The work is figuring out what yours specifically needs.

Check Your Electrical Panel First

Probably should have led with this section, honestly—your panel capacity determines everything else. Most Level 2 chargers need a dedicated 240-volt circuit drawing 32-50 amps. Homes with 100-amp service often struggle to add this load. Have an electrician assess whether your panel can handle it.

Pick Your Charger Location

Garages work best—protected from weather, close to the panel, convenient parking. Driveways and carports work too but need weatherproof equipment. That’s what makes location planning endearing to us installation folks—getting it right means everything else flows smoothly.

Think about cable reach. Where does your EV’s charge port sit? Left side, right side, front? The charger placement needs to accommodate however you park.

Select the Right Equipment

Level 2 chargers dominate home installations for good reason—fast enough for overnight charging, reasonable installation cost. Specific brands matter less than features: WiFi connectivity for scheduling, cable length for your setup, amperage matching your vehicle’s acceptance rate.

Hunt for Rebates

Washington and Oregon utilities offer significant rebates—sometimes $500 or more. Federal tax credits exist too. Research what’s available before purchasing. These incentives change constantly, so check current programs with your utility.

Hire a Licensed Electrician

Skip the DIY temptation. Licensed electricians ensure code compliance, proper grounding, and safe connections. They also handle permits, which many jurisdictions require. Bad wiring causes fires—not worth the savings.

Get Permits Sorted

Seattle, Portland, and most surrounding cities require electrical permits for charger installation. Your electrician typically handles this, but verify. Unpermitted work can cause problems when selling your home later.

Panel Upgrade If Needed

If your panel can’t handle the additional load, upgrading to 200-amp service solves the problem. Costs $1,500-3,000 typically. Consider it an investment—you’ll have capacity for future electrical needs too.

Think About Tomorrow

Planning a second EV eventually? Run conduit for a future charger now while the electrician is already there. Costs minimal extra and saves significant money later.

Smart Charging Setup

Most modern chargers connect to WiFi and let you schedule charging via app. Set it for overnight when rates are lowest. Monitor usage over time. These features justify the slight premium over basic units.

Coordinate with Your Utility

Let your utility know about the installation. Many offer EV-specific rate plans with cheaper overnight electricity. Some require notification for service upgrades. Building this relationship helps if issues arise later.

Test Everything

After installation, plug in and verify proper operation. Check charging speed, app connectivity, and any smart features. Address problems immediately while the electrician is still engaged.

Proper preparation makes installation day smooth. Get the electrical assessment first, everything else follows from there.