What do I need to do to charge my electric vehicle outside? We receive this question quite often. This guide will help you determine what you need to do so you can charge your EV outside.
On average, we install 15-20 EV chargers each week and many are outside.
Many of the new EV trucks (i.e. Rivian or Ford Lightning) simply do not fit inside most garages. Other homeowners use their garages for storage, workshop, gym or living space.
Therefore, many need to charge their EV outside.
What EV Charger to Install
The first question we receive is “Are these water proof?” The short answer is all of the chargers that we install are water & weather proof.
We supply three different options in-house:
- NEMA 14-50 Receptacle – We install NEMA 14-50 receptacles on the outside of many homes. You just want to make sure there is a weather-resistant cover on the receptacle to keep it safe from the elements.
- Tesla Wall Connector – These are rated to be used outdoors. If you drive a Tesla, these are a great option. The only thing you’ll want to keep in mind is if you plan on buying a non-Tesla EV as well, this charger will only charge your Tesla electric vehicle outside.
- Pulsar Wallbox – Along with the Tesla Wall Connectors, we also supply & install Pulsar Wallbox units. These are a great charger as they’ll charge any EV. They are also weather-resistant.
- Other Charging Option – We have also installed ChargePoint, JuiceBox and Grizzl-E chargers for electric vehicles outside. These are also solid weather-resistant options. If you were to choose one of these options, you would have to order them on your own.
Where to Install Your EV Charger
There are several options to install your EV charger outside depending on your home’s setup. The two most common options are on a pedestal or on the side of your home.
If you are looking to install the charger on the side of your home, you can choose any option above.
For a pedestal, the only option that is eliminated is the NEMA 14-50 Receptacle. To ensure you follow the electrical code, the NEMA 14-50 must be mounted to your home.
Another thing to consider is how you are going to park your EV. We have many customers put a pedestal towards the end of their driveway since that will be the most convenient for them based on how they park.
We are also seeing more homeowners install their chargers outside to accommodate future guests. As electric vehicles become more mainstream, it is a nice gesture to give your guests the ability to charge their EV.
No matter what option you choose, you also want to make sure you check with your neighborhood HOA (if applicable). Every HOA is different. Many have rules & regulations on if/how the charger needs to be installed.
We know the process of charging an EV can be overwhelming. If you would like to discuss your options further, we’d love to help. Give us a call today at 984-600-0100 and we can set up a time for our estimator to meet with you and discuss the options.