Preparing Your Home Energy Setup Before Buying an EV
Before the car arrives, you need to know where it will plug in and whether that socket can safely handle overnight charging. Most EVs can charge from a standard 10A socket — slowly, but adequately for under 80km/day. The preparation question is whether the circuit to that socket is safe for sustained overnight load, and whether you want to stay with the basic option or invest in a faster setup from the start.
- A standard 10A socket works for most households under 80km/day. No preparation required beyond confirming the socket and circuit are in good condition.
- A 15A socket upgrade ($200–$400 by a licensed electrician) increases charging speed by 50% and is the easiest useful upgrade.
- A dedicated Level 2 wall charger ($1,500–$3,000 installed) is the right investment for high-mileage drivers or households wanting smart/solar charging.
- Check your electricity plan — the EV will add 15–50kWh/week to usage, which may push you into a higher usage tier or make a time-of-use plan worthwhile.
The four things to check before EV delivery
1. Where will it park and charge?
An EV charges wherever it is parked. For most households, this is the garage, driveway or carport. For apartments, see separate guidance on apartment charging.
Confirm:
- There is a power point within extension cord reach of the parking location
- The area is weatherproof enough for an EVSE cable (outdoor-rated extension cords and outdoor-rated EVSEs are available)
- There is adequate lighting if you will plug in after dark
2. Is the existing circuit safe for sustained overnight load?
A standard 10A socket on a typical 20A circuit can run a portable EVSE continuously for 8–12 hours. The risk is not the socket — it is a degraded circuit or loose connection that gets hot under sustained load.
Useful check: have a licensed electrician inspect the circuit to the socket you plan to use, particularly if the socket is in a garage or outdoor location that has not been recently used or inspected. This is a standard electrical inspection, not EV-specific work.
Signs of concern: the socket shows any scorch marks, the circuit breaker trips during other sustained loads, or the garage/outdoor circuit is old and has not been inspected recently.
3. Do you need a faster charging speed?
For under 80km/day: a 10A portable EVSE ($150–$400) adds ~13km/hour. At 8 hours overnight, that is 104km of range — sufficient.
For 80–150km/day: consider a 15A socket ($200–$400 installation) and a portable EVSE with 15A mode, or a Level 2 charger (32A, ~7.4kW) at $1,500–$3,000 installed.
For over 150km/day or planned overnight trips with the car returning late: a Level 2 charger is the reliable solution. It fills most EV batteries in 4–8 hours regardless of the state of charge on arrival.
4. Review your electricity plan
Adding an EV adds 15–50kWh/week to your electricity usage — a 15–40% increase for most households. This may:
- Push your usage into a higher usage tier on some retailer tariffs (check your current plan for tier structures)
- Make a time-of-use plan worthwhile — overnight off-peak rates (10–20c/kWh) vs flat rates (28–38c/kWh) save $3–8/week in charging cost
Before signing up for an EV-specific plan: read the peak rates, not just the off-peak rate. The peak rate increase can offset savings if the household's general usage shifts into the peak window.
The practical preparation path
| Daily km | Preparation before EV arrives | Expected charging speed |
|---|---|---|
| Under 60km | Check existing socket and circuit — no extra work | 8–12km/hour (10A) |
| 60–100km | Upgrade to 15A socket if not already present | 12–18km/hour (15A) |
| 100–150km | Level 2 wall charger installation | 35–50km/hour |
| Over 150km | Level 2 wall charger, review plan for off-peak rate | 35–65km/hour |
Portable EVSE cables are the appropriate starting tool for the first two scenarios. They provide immediate, safe charging without waiting for electrician availability and can be used at other locations (family, holiday rentals, public outlets).
Before the car arrives: confirm a safe socket near the parking location, estimate your daily km, and review your electricity plan's tariff structure. Most households under 80km/day can start immediately with a portable EVSE. Higher-mileage drivers should get a Level 2 charger quote before EV delivery so installation is ready when the car arrives.
Browse EV Charging Accessories for portable EVSE cables and compatible accessories.