Open Today Sales: 9 AM-6 PMOpen Today Service: 7 AM-6 PM
Normally, when you buy a new or used vehicle, there’s not much prep you have to do at home to get it ready for your new ride. However, if you’ve just bought an electric vehicle, or if you’re considering buying one, then there are some steps you need to take to prepare your home. EVs have a lot of benefits, such as high performance and environmental friendliness, but they also require a bit more preparation to make sure they run properly.
While public electric vehicle charging stations are becoming more and more common around St Louis, you’ll probably be doing most of your charging from home. Suntrup Volkswagen has all the details on how to prepare your vehicle for an electric vehicle home charger in the guide below.
The first step is to decide what type of electric vehicle home charger you want: Level 1 or Level 2. Level 1 chargers plug into everyday three-prong outlets, but they also take multiple days to fully charge an EV and should really only be used as a last resort. Level 2 chargers have to be professionally installed, but they’re much more powerful and often charge up your battery in a matter of hours.
Next, you should make sure your garage is cleaned out and organized in preparation for your vehicle’s arrival. EVs and home chargers take up a lot of space, so you want to make sure there isn’t any unnecessary clutter around, particularly if you’ve been primarily using your garage for storage.
Your home power panel is in charge of distributing electricity evenly throughout the building, and is rated for a maximum amount of current flow in amperes. Most new homes in the St Peters area come with a 100-amp power panel; you can find the amperage rating printed on your main circuit breaker. After you find your power panel, do a self-assessment of your electricity use before your EV arrives. You don’t want to accidentally overload your power panel when you’re charging your car, or you’ll blow the power out.
The next step is to hire a trusted electrician. This is a good time to discuss any concerns you may have about your power consumption and adding EV charging. If needed, the electrician can install a dedicated 240-volt plug or hardwired circuit to the back of the power panel. If your power panel has a sufficient amount of electricity, this usually only costs a couple hundred dollars. However, if they have to upgrade the panel, it can cost between $1,000 and $3,000.
Finally, research home electric vehicle charging stations, purchase your favorite, and have it installed by your electrician. You’re all set!
If you have any additional questions about electric vehicle charging batteries or stations, feel free to contact our office! You can also stop by our dealership near Webster to talk to a member of our team about EVs, and we’ll be happy to help.
Volkswagen’s SUV lineup covers more ground than most buyers expect, from the nimble Taos at the entry point to the full-size Atlas at the top, with the Tiguan and Atlas Cross Sport filling the middle. For families shopping in South County and across the St. Louis metro, that range is genuinely useful: it means there…
When you are shopping for a three-row family SUV, the 2026 Volkswagen Atlas and 2026 Chevrolet Traverse land in the same conversation for good reason. Both carry seven passengers, both tow up to 5,000 pounds when properly equipped, and both start right around $40,000. Look closer, though, and the differences start to matter. The 2026…
Choosing the right Volkswagen is one decision. Choosing the right dealer is another. For South County and South St. Louis drivers, Suntrup Volkswagen on S. Lindbergh Blvd. has built a consistent answer to that second question, backed by award-winning recognition from Volkswagen itself, a complete lineup of current models, and a service department built to…
