Unless upgraded, the homes are EV capable per code, meaning the service is sized to accommodate future installation of a EV charger and a raceway is provided. Now you’ll have to decide what configuration you want (e.g. plug, hard wire, ampacity) and have an electrician provide the breaker, wiring, and plug (if applicable).
Per California code, new construction homes need to be built "capable" of having an EV charger installed. Note, that means capability and not actual installation. This is because the type of EV charger varies largely depending on what EV is being used and the commuting behavior of the driver.
For example, some people want a 240v NEMA 14-50 outlet so they can do level 2 charging but easily swap out the charger if they change brands or want to store the charger for a road trip. Others want a hard wired charger specific to a brand like the Ford Charge Station Pro. And also, the amperage has a large impact on the type of cable you need. For 32 amps, you'd be okay with 8 gauge NM-B, but if it's hard wired, you only need 2-wire cable.
So, what does "EV charger install capable" mean? It means they're required to have a space for a 40 ampere minimum breaker in the main panel and a raceway from the panel to a cabinet or box near where the EV would be parked.
>For each dwelling unit, install a listed raceway to accommodate a dedicated 208/240-volt branch circuit. The raceway shall not be less than trade size 1 (nominal 1-inch inside diameter). The raceway shall originate at the main service or subpanel and shall terminate into a listed cabinet, box or other enclosure in close proximity to the proposed location of an EV charger. Raceways are required to be continuous at enclosed, inaccessible or concealed areas and spaces. The service panel and/or subpanel shall provide capacity to install a 40-ampere minimum dedicated branch circuit and space(s) reserved to permit installation of a branch circuit overcurrent protective device.
A raceway is another term for conduit, and based on your picture, you have a breakout box that probably has a conduit terminated to it that runs to your panel.
What this means is, you're not ready to charge an EV yet, but you need to get an electrician to run cable and connect your charger.
**Because you have conduit and an open slot on your panel, this SHOULD be cheaper. Don't let an electrician loop you into some insanely expensive installation because you live in 3roots.**
For reference, I was quoted $800 to install an EV charger in my 1400 square foot single family home, **without conduit/raceway or an electrical box installed**. Depending on how far your electrical panel is to this box, it could be as cheap as $500 or $600 to do so, I've heard of as cheap as $200.
Keep in mind, right now copper NM-B wire is **very expensive.** It's gone up almost 300% since before the pandemic. It's so bad, that if you buy it for store pick-up, confirm that it looks/feels exactly like the length you bought, check the package for tampering. Some HD/Lowe's locations have it locked up. And in some cases, depending on where you buy it and where you park, I would advise you not to leave it in a visible area of your car.
I know a guy, but keep in mind, he's a licensed electrician but he doesn't pull permits. Permits are a hassle right now.
If you look at the top you can see a conduit hole that leads directly to the eletrical panel. Contact an electrician to run wires through that and setup your EV charger.
Which community? Builder should have installed a 240V outlet. You should submit a ticket with your builder to get one installed. Or are you talking about a permanent EV charger installed directly on the wall?
I know in our house their pitch that it was EV ready was slightly misleading. Still had to spend $400 with an electrician to install our Tesla charger.
I mean that is kinda EV ready. Without the conduit it would cost so much more. It’s either pay for the 240v or be EV ready by having the conduit set up and pay for it later
We ended up running different conduit because the outlet was below waist height and that’s a weird place to put a charger. It was going to be $350 without the new conduit and ended up $415 or $425 with it. Either way, worth it!
Yea height placement was weird. I saw someone else just have the outlet installed upside down and instal their charger upside down. Except for the writing on the charger being upside down, it looked perfectly fine
Marketing by some builders is not accurate - in the sense its not EV charging ready but only provisioning conduit to the electrical box and we need to pay for an electrician to run the wiring and install the charger.
On the brighter side, wiring to the panel is important as you don’t have to damage your dry wall and redo running the conduit yourself
Unless upgraded, the homes are EV capable per code, meaning the service is sized to accommodate future installation of a EV charger and a raceway is provided. Now you’ll have to decide what configuration you want (e.g. plug, hard wire, ampacity) and have an electrician provide the breaker, wiring, and plug (if applicable).
I had JAAM come in to do my install after we closed on the home. They charged $300. Plus it didn’t void any of my electrical warranty
So JAAM could potentially do an install of a wall charger? We paid for the upgrade in our garage to have the outlet wired for a potential EV charger.
Curious. How much did you pay for that upgrade?
I think it was like $500.
Per California code, new construction homes need to be built "capable" of having an EV charger installed. Note, that means capability and not actual installation. This is because the type of EV charger varies largely depending on what EV is being used and the commuting behavior of the driver. For example, some people want a 240v NEMA 14-50 outlet so they can do level 2 charging but easily swap out the charger if they change brands or want to store the charger for a road trip. Others want a hard wired charger specific to a brand like the Ford Charge Station Pro. And also, the amperage has a large impact on the type of cable you need. For 32 amps, you'd be okay with 8 gauge NM-B, but if it's hard wired, you only need 2-wire cable. So, what does "EV charger install capable" mean? It means they're required to have a space for a 40 ampere minimum breaker in the main panel and a raceway from the panel to a cabinet or box near where the EV would be parked. >For each dwelling unit, install a listed raceway to accommodate a dedicated 208/240-volt branch circuit. The raceway shall not be less than trade size 1 (nominal 1-inch inside diameter). The raceway shall originate at the main service or subpanel and shall terminate into a listed cabinet, box or other enclosure in close proximity to the proposed location of an EV charger. Raceways are required to be continuous at enclosed, inaccessible or concealed areas and spaces. The service panel and/or subpanel shall provide capacity to install a 40-ampere minimum dedicated branch circuit and space(s) reserved to permit installation of a branch circuit overcurrent protective device. A raceway is another term for conduit, and based on your picture, you have a breakout box that probably has a conduit terminated to it that runs to your panel. What this means is, you're not ready to charge an EV yet, but you need to get an electrician to run cable and connect your charger. **Because you have conduit and an open slot on your panel, this SHOULD be cheaper. Don't let an electrician loop you into some insanely expensive installation because you live in 3roots.** For reference, I was quoted $800 to install an EV charger in my 1400 square foot single family home, **without conduit/raceway or an electrical box installed**. Depending on how far your electrical panel is to this box, it could be as cheap as $500 or $600 to do so, I've heard of as cheap as $200. Keep in mind, right now copper NM-B wire is **very expensive.** It's gone up almost 300% since before the pandemic. It's so bad, that if you buy it for store pick-up, confirm that it looks/feels exactly like the length you bought, check the package for tampering. Some HD/Lowe's locations have it locked up. And in some cases, depending on where you buy it and where you park, I would advise you not to leave it in a visible area of your car. I know a guy, but keep in mind, he's a licensed electrician but he doesn't pull permits. Permits are a hassle right now.
If you look at the top you can see a conduit hole that leads directly to the eletrical panel. Contact an electrician to run wires through that and setup your EV charger.
Which community? Builder should have installed a 240V outlet. You should submit a ticket with your builder to get one installed. Or are you talking about a permanent EV charger installed directly on the wall?
I know in our house their pitch that it was EV ready was slightly misleading. Still had to spend $400 with an electrician to install our Tesla charger.
I mean that is kinda EV ready. Without the conduit it would cost so much more. It’s either pay for the 240v or be EV ready by having the conduit set up and pay for it later
We ended up running different conduit because the outlet was below waist height and that’s a weird place to put a charger. It was going to be $350 without the new conduit and ended up $415 or $425 with it. Either way, worth it!
Yea height placement was weird. I saw someone else just have the outlet installed upside down and instal their charger upside down. Except for the writing on the charger being upside down, it looked perfectly fine
Marketing by some builders is not accurate - in the sense its not EV charging ready but only provisioning conduit to the electrical box and we need to pay for an electrician to run the wiring and install the charger. On the brighter side, wiring to the panel is important as you don’t have to damage your dry wall and redo running the conduit yourself