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How do I install a 240-volt outlet for an electric car?
My EV has a Level 1 home charging cable, which means it uses the regular 110-volt outlets in my garage. However, it takes a really long time to recharge the battery and I’m a little tired of waiting on the whole process. How do I install a 240-volt outlet for an electric car?
Jason Crosby · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
To be honest, unless you’re a qualified
electrician
(or just tech-savvy and brave), you should probably have a professional do the installation on a 240-volt outlet. These heavier-duty wall sockets have a lot more voltage than a regular 110-volt plug-in, and if the wiring is done incorrectly, you could be electrocuted or face an electrical fire. That being said, here’s the installation process of a 240-volt outlet for homeowners:
- Don’t be tempted to trycharging your EVfrom your dryer outlet—they aren’t designed for frequent plugging/unplugging, and you could get shocked.
- Obtain a permit from your local ordinance to make sure it’s legal for you to begin the project. Your county or city will have a contact number for you to reach out to.
- Hire an electrician—they’ll need to install wiring from your home’s main breaker panel to the garage or outside parking space, wherever you’ll be charging your EV. Wiring usually costs $3-5 per foot, so the closer to the breaker panel you plan to install, the better. The total process will cost about $1500 to be done right.
- If you’re on a budget, consider using a Y-splitter from your dryer outlet in order to maximize charging off of your existing 240-volt outlet. But keep in mind, this won’t charge your EV as efficiently, as you’ll be losing electricity when it’s diverted to the dryer.
It’s best to leave electrical wiring to electricians, just like it’s best to leave hunting for affordable car insurance rates to
Jerry
. Jerry finds you the best deals from the nation’s top providers so you waste less time stressing about overpaying and more time driving your EV—with extra cash in your back pocket. View full answer
- Gregory R.
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Jerry partners with more than 50 insurance companies, but our content is independently researched, written, and fact-checked by our team of editors and agents. We aren’t paid for reviews or other content.
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