Join our True Brit, Full Grit Motoring Experience on May 21st! Register Here!

Installing an Electric Vehicle Charging Station at Home

MINI Cooper SE

While there is an ever-growing network of EV charging stations in the Warwick area, home charging will still probably be your primary method for keeping your MINI Cooper Electric Hardtop 2 Door charged up. The good news is that installing an electric vehicle charging station at home is a relatively easy task. This guide from the team at MINI of Warwick will walk you through how to prepare your Providence, RI-area home for an electric vehicle. If you run into any problems or if you have any questions about electric car charging at home, please don’t hesitate to contact us

1. Decide on a Charging Type (AKA Charging Level)

The first thing you need to do to get ready for electric car charging at home is to determine what type of EV charger to install. Home car charging systems are typically available in two levels: 

  • Level 1 EV charging often takes days to fully charge an electric car. 
  • Level 2 EV charging often takes several hours to fully charge an electric car. You can often get between 60-200 miles of range in just 20-30 minutes with Level 2 DC charging, though. For this reason, most people intermix daytime “top-off” charging with overnight charging.

2. Ready Your Garage

To prepare your home for an electric vehicle you should clean and organize your garage. You’ll want to have space for your home charger and room to walk around the vehicle as needed. The compact size of a MINI Electric should make this an easy task. 

3. Find Your Power Panel & Assess Consumption

The power panel in your home distributes electricity throughout the entire building. It should be rated for a maximum amount of current flow measured in Amperes. Most new homes come with a 100 Amp power panel, but you should check the amperage rating printed on your main circuit breaker.

Before installing an electric vehicle charging station at home, you’ll want to get a handle on how much electrical energy you consistently use. You do not want to overload your electric distribution panel.

4. Hire an Electrician

A certified electrician can help assess your power consumption and install a dedicated 240-volt outlet in your garage with a hardwired circuit back to the power panel. This usually costs a couple hundred dollars in the Cranston, RI and Newport, RI area, but could be up to $1,000 or $3,000 if your power panel requires upgrading. 

5. Buy Your Charger & Have it Installed

Once you have determined what type of EV charger will work best for you, purchase it and arrange to have it professionally installed by your electrician. Installing an electric vehicle charging station at home should only take a few hours.

Learn More About Electric Car Charging at Home 

The team at MINI of Warwick will be happy to fill you in on all you need to know about electric car charging at home and provide you with details regarding:

If you have additional questions or concerns about how to prepare your home for an electric vehicle, feel free to give us a call at (877) 361-3387. 

 

More from MINI of Warwick

  • 2024 MINI Hardtop 2 Door MPG & Performance

      Every drive is a joyride in the 2024 MINI Hardtop 2 Door! With three MINI Cooper engine options and handling that is infamously compared to a go-kart, you’ll find a thrill around every corner in Providence, RI. Allow the team at MINI of Warwick to guide you through the MINI Hardtop 2 Door mpg and performance specs…

  • 2024 MINI Cooper Colors

      It’s no secret that the MINI Cooper is a style icon. And a big part of its style-forward reputation is the wide array of available MINI Cooper interior colors and exterior colors. So, on top of its efficient, agile performance and distinctive design, the MINI Cooper ensures your next vehicle is a true expression…

  • 2025 MINI Cooper Hardtop 2-Door Overview

      The 2025 MINI Hardtop 2-Door combines the automaker’s iconic style with modern updates that drivers love when shopping for a new vehicle. From daily drives in Providence, RI or heading out for a weekend drive along your favorite beachfront road, the 2025 MINI Hardtop 2-Door delivers a beautiful ride. Choose one of the three distinct…

MINI of Warwick 41.698937, -71.497406.