Consider the Following Before Buying an Electric Car
If you own a house, does the electrical system have the capacity for a level 2 charging station? If the electrical system of your house isn't up to par, you will likely need an electrician to evaluate the cost to update your electrical panel. This is especially true for older homes.
A level 1 charging system (a 120-volt outlet) will work just fine, but it can take 24 hours or more to charge your battery. Additionally, this electrical outlet can only be used for charging your vehicle.
If you rent a house, all of the considerations above apply. Are you going to be able to negotiate these improvements with your landlord without incurring the cost?
If you own a condo or rent an apartment, do you have an enclosed garage space where you can charge your vehicle? Does your community have a charging station? If the answer is “no,” then you're going to have to rely on public charging stations to keep your vehicle charged.
How long is your commute? Are there charging stations on the way to/from work?
It’s well known that cold temperatures drain batteries, including the ones in your EV. Will you have enough charge to get to/from your destination during winter or will you have to allow extra time to charge up your vehicle? And what happens if you get stuck on the road because of winter weather?
Charging an EV at home with a level 2 charging point is the most time-efficient option, but this may increase your electric bill significantly depending on the amount of usage. Is this within your budget?
Thinking about these questions ahead of time will help you better understand what your options are for charging an EV at home.
