Electric Cars: Is Special Wiring Necessary?

Electric and hybrid vehicles are one of the best ways everyday people can do something good for the environment. They help solve the fuel crisis and save money at the same time. However, prospective electric vehicle (EV) buyers are often surprised to find that they will probably need to hire an electrical contractor. It is often necessary to upgrade the home's electrical wiring to charge the car's electric battery.

Electric Cars

An electric car uses no fuel of any kind. A battery using lithium-ion or hydrogen fuel-cell technology powers their motors. EVs have no hydrocarbon emissions. Hybrid vehicles do have emissions since they use hydrocarbon fuels but in smaller quantities. Almost every automaker manufactures their own popular hybrids, but true EVs are only beginning to be widely available. One popular EV is the Nissan Leaf. This is the first mass-produced, true EV produced by a major automaker. It can drive about 100 miles before needing to be recharged.

Charging Stations vs. Home Charging

Someone who drives an EV a lot must charge the batteries often. Several companies have been working on what are called "public charging stations." Charging stations are public drive-up centers where EV users can charge their batteries. However, these stations are not widely available everywhere yet. Research has shown that about 80% of charging would need to be done at home anyway, since most drivers could not take the time to fill their batteries at a station. Hiring an electrical contractor to check out the home's wiring is a must.

Battery Charging

Whether someone has a hybrid or an EV, it will need to be plugged into an electrical outlet to re-charge the battery. Current hybrid models can be charged using a standard 110 home outlet. All-electric cars really need a 220 outlet or better to charge their batteries. Although a 110 outlet can be used if necessary, it takes up to 24 hours to charge an EV's batteries. Since some EVs available now only get around 40 miles per full-battery charge, 110-volt charging is very impractical, time consuming, and can drive up the home's electric bill.

New Wiring Required

A 220-240 volt outlet with a dedicated 40-volt circuit is the best choice for making charging an EV's battery both cost- and time-effective. That arrangement could fully charge a car within 4-6 hours. Most American garages already have at least one 220-volt outlet, usually for the dryer, but the U.S. standard for home wiring is 110 volts. An electrical contractor would need to check the wiring to determine if a new breaker box or a more complicated fix is necessary. Older homes may need a complete wiring upgrade to handle the electrical demand. These changes require an electrical contractor's skills.

Cost Factors

The most recent estimates for the required wiring upgrades most American homes will need to accommodate an EV's charging needs is around $2,000. It could go up to as much as $10,000 in homes with older electrical systems. An electrical contractor can give a personalized estimate for the cost. They may need to replace old wiring, install new breaker boxes, and rewire the home's electrical grid to accommodate the car. Nissan, the manufacturer of the Leaf, sends out an electrical contractor to the buyer's home to assess the costs and do the upgrade.

Before buying an EV, learn about what would need to be done in order to make a workable scenario for charging the car. A licensed electrical contractor can evaluate a home and give an estimate for how much it would cost to bring a home's wiring up to the standards required to charge an electric car's battery.