Are you considering purchasing an electric vehicle? Follow our simple checklist to get your home EV-ready.
Ask a few key questions to determine your charging needs. How far can your EV travel on a full-charge? What distance do you normally drive each day, including miles traveled to and from work? Is there an opportunity for charging at or near your workplace or at a local retailer? What time of day do you plan to charge your EV, and for how long? Did you know, depending on your supply rate, you may benefit from lower electric rates by charging your EV overnight?
You will need access to a standard, grounded, three-prong 120-volt outlet with a ground fault circuit interrupter. This standard equipment is typically already in residential garages. Typical charge time for 40 miles of electric driving is 8 to 10 hours at Level 1. It is important to know which, if any, other significant electric loads (e.g., refrigerator) are on the same circuit as the outlet the EV will be using. Level 1 charging has an electric load of 15 to 20 amps—about the same as a large microwave oven.
Level 2 charging will typically charge an EV in about half the time it takes to charge at Level 1. Typical Level 2 charge time for 40 miles of electric driving is 4 to 5 hours. This requires installation of a 240-volt charging station, also known as electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE), on a dedicated 40-amp circuit by a licensed electrician. Level 2 charging has a minimum electric load of 3,000 watts—about the same power drawn by electric clothes dryers or air conditioners. Installing a Level 2 EVSE can require an electrician to run a new circuit from the home’s breaker or fuse panel to where the vehicle will be plugged in, and may require other upgrades to the home’s electrical system. This type of station may also require upgrades to the home or building’s electrical service.
* Vehicle charging times vary by type of EV, battery size and battery state of charge. Charging times shown above are typical for 40 miles of electric driving range.
Please Register your EV online. This allows ComEd to monitor electricity usage in your region in order to maintain safe, reliable electric service to you and your neighbors.
Determine the best electric rate to fit your lifestyle and EV charging needs. There are various residential rate options available for your home. Compare rate options and make the choice that is best for you.
A licensed electrical contractor can assess, plan and perform the electrical work needed to install and wire your charging station. Most EV automakers can recommend a residential charging station and a qualified contractor to install it.
Obtain all necessary permits prior to starting any electrical work to install the charging station. Typically, this can be done by your electrical contractor. Contact your local permitting authority (your city, village or township) for further information.
Have your electrical contractor install the charging station. Remember, you can always charge your EV at Level 1 using a standard, grounded, three-prong 120-volt outlet; your lifestyle and daily driving distance may not require a Level 2 charging station in your home.
Ensure that an inspection is performed, if required. Contact your local permitting authority (your city, village or township) for further information.
Work with your charging equipment provider to learn how to correctly use your charging equipment to charge your vehicle.
Are you considering adding EVs to your vehicle fleet, or providing EV charging to your employees, customers or the public? Follow our step-by-step checklist to get your business EV-ready.
Who will be charging an EV at your location? Will you be charging your own fleet, your employees, customers, the public, or a combination of these? Electric vehicle supply equipment (e.g., charging stations) are available in a variety of configurations, with functionality to support multiple applications such as fleet and public vehicle charging. Knowing who will be charging at your location will help you determine your equipment and information needs.
How long do you expect vehicles to park at your location? Do you expect EVs to be parked and charging for just a short time (i.e., two hours or less) or for longer durations? How many charging stations should you install? Knowing how long you expect EVs to be parked at a given charging station will help you decide what level of charging and what number of stations are right for your location.
Currently, there are two levels of EV charging available that meet national SAE standards.
Level 1 Charging requires installation of electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) with a standard, grounded, three-prong 120-volt outlet by a licensed electrician. Typical charge time for 40 miles of electric driving is 8 to 10 hours at Level 1. Level 1 charging for business purposes is most applicable for locations where vehicles will be parked for several hours (e.g., transit centers, employee EV charging, overnight fleet vehicle charging).
Level 2 Charging requires installation of a 240-volt charging station (EVSE) on a dedicated 40-amp circuit by a licensed electrician. Level 2 charging will typically charge an EV in about half the time it takes at Level 1 charging, and is most applicable for commercial use in locations where EVs will be parked for a shorter duration to provide “opportunity charging” to patrons (e.g., grocery stores, restaurants, entertainment venues). This type of station may require upgrades to a building’s electrical service. Always contact ComEd before installation of Level 2 charging equipment to verify that local distribution facilities are adequate to provide additional electricity needed.
IMPORTANT! Please notify ComEd if you plan to install a Level 2 charging station for your EV. Contacting ComEd in advance will help ensure that the ComEd equipment connected to the proposed location is capable of meeting your additional EV charging needs, and allow us to continue to provide safe, reliable electric service to the charging equipment as well as the surrounding area. Register your EV online or contact your ComEd account manager or call ComEd's New Business organization at 1-866-NEW-ELEC (1-866-639-3532) and select Option 2.
Determine the best electric rate to fit your lifestyle and EV charging needs. There are three residential rate options available for your home. Compare rate options and make the choice that is best for you.
Plug-in and Hardwire EV Chargers.
If you need assistance with upgrading or installing new electric service for a charger, call1-866-NEW-ELEC (1-866-639-3532).
