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How smaller, more affordable electric cars can accelerate the green transition
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this post was submitted on 18 Jan 2025
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I don't see anyone talking about the significant cost to upgrade homes to allow for charging. I am going to buy a bolt, but I need to save an extra 6k to upgrade my panel, service and have a circuit put in. On top of that, the soonest I can get the work done is 10-12 weeks out.
There is a lot of addressable market that can add chargers inexpensively. But I get that doesn't mean much to anyone in a 70 year old home with a full panel, all electric appliances, and 2 AWG cable buried in the yard.
To try to save some money, make sure you really need the 40 amp charger circuit and make sure your panel really needs the upgrade. I don't want to imply that you are getting into $6k of work without thinking very hard, but here's some thoughts and observations, just in case your electrician didn't suggest all this.
Tandem breakers can be used to move two single-pole circuits into one breaker slot. Doing this with four circuits can free up space for a double. Also check on how much peak load you are actually pulling, then figure on how many reactive starting loads are realistically going to happen at once (like AC coming on). I have the 40 amp charger circuit, a 50 amp hot tub circuit, a dozen servers pulling ~7 amps all day, and two air conditioners (main 40 amp and garage mini-split 15 amp). My peak 1 minute load is like 59 amps while charging the car. All that said, if you have electric baseboard heat in your home that can be a lot tighter of a squeeze.
I have had the EV for two years and I also find that a 240v 15 amp charger circuit, 12 amp max charge would have been perfectly fine for me. That would allow recovery of about 60 miles overnight, or ~90 miles in a typical commute-to-commute time-span of 14 hours. That's with a big chonky Nissan Ariya, the Bolt will do better.
My understanding is that post NEC 2023 tandem breakers will not meet code. Yes, you can still buy them and yes I could put them in without people knowing..but that's not the way I do upgrades. You can still buy quad breakers but I don't think those ever met code.
Thanks for the info. I likely could be fine with a 20a/240v circuit...but i don't even have that available currently. I'll do some more research on the tandem breakers.
What the hell are you talking about ? I did it myself for 400€ in less than an hour.
Don't install a super fast charger at home. It's a) useless and b) not good for your EV's batteries. Install a 32a charger.
In the US we have building codes, permits, and inspections. While possible to upgrade the service to your house as a home owner it cannot be done quickly. It would be at least 2+ days with the power out if you can line up the power company and inspector properly.
I am only going to install a 32A charger. I need more service to my house to support it, 100A currently. I need a larger panel as I have no breaker space and I need the new circuit run ~150 ft away.
Please don't burn down your neighbors house. Less than an hour sounds like you cut corners.
Also, it's insane to say it's useless. Do you even know what that word means?
In France we have building codes and permits and inspection. But no permit needed for such a small operation, and you can use your electrical installation while you wait for the inspection (that may never come).
There are 2 devices to install and wire inside the electrical board, how long should that take without cutting corners ?
Also sorry for the choice of word but that's what I think it is when doing something that goes against you're best interest.
I see you didn't really read what I wrote and are just talking about running a new circuit. That is one of the 3 upgrades I need.
A panel upgrade is not a small operation and I highly doubt anyone could do it in under an hour. A panel upgrade consists of removing all breakers from the panel, disconnecting all wires, disconnecting all conduits from the panel pulling all wires out of the panel, (in my case enlarging the hole in the wall for the new panel), reinserting all wires, attaching conduit, redoing internal panel wiring, and putting breakers back in.
I've done plenty of basic electrical work. Electrical work is not complex, it just takes the knowledge of what is to code and if there are specialty codes for the state, county and/or city. I do not have time to study all the code and plan the upgrade.
Future proofing upgrades is very much in my interest. If I have to touch something or upgrade something...its going to be overdesigned/overbuilt because I don't ever want to have to touch it again.
Just stop by a fast charger every now and then. Some EVs will already charge like 80% in under 15 minutes. The next few years will see even faster charging. Might not be a need to upgrade.
Chevy bolts do not charge as fast as others...but it's more about having the time to go to a fast charger. Of the places i frequent for groceries, etc. None of them have charging stations. Between work and little kids, doesn't leave alot of time for errands.