As electric vehicles (EVs) gain popularity, designing a home that supports current and future EV needs is becoming a smart investment.
Whether you're a current EV owner or planning to make the switch, setting up your new home with the necessary infrastructure to support your vehicles will make your life easier.
1. Install a Level 2 Charging Station (or the Wiring for One)
According to EvoCharge, when you get an EV, the manufacturer typically supplies you with a Level 1 charger to use with a standard 120v outlet.
However, you may find that you’ll quickly outgrow the basic Level 1 (120-volt) charging from a standard outlet. A Level 2 charger (uses a 208-240v power source and a dedicated circuit) provides much faster charging, often providing 20–30 miles of driving range per hour. For comparison, a Level 1 charger will typically get 4 miles of driving range per hour.
“Pre-install conduit: Designate enough space and capacity on the main electrical panel or garage subpanel for at least a 40 amp, 240V dedicated branch circuit,” Energy Star recommends. “Install conduit linking the electrical panel to the future location of the EV charger, near where cars will be parked (garage, driveway, etc.)”
Pro Tips:
Ask your builder to install a dedicated 240V outlet in the garage or carport during construction.
Opt for a 50-amp circuit (even if your current EV doesn’t need it) to future-proof.
Consider a smart charger for scheduling and energy monitoring.
2. Plan for Multiple EVs
Even if you only have one EV now, futureproofing for more isn’t a bad call. As EV adoption grows, your household or resale market will likely appreciate – or even expect – multiple charging spots.
How to Plan:
Include multiple conduit lines or pre-wired circuits in the garage.
Use a load-sharing EV charger if the electrical panel capacity is limited.
Space garage outlets to allow simultaneous charging of two or more vehicles.
Incorporate a 2- or even 3-car garage to protect current and future EVs.
3. Upgrade Your Electrical Panel
Many older homes lack the panel capacity to support EV charging alongside HVAC, kitchen appliances, and other loads. With new construction, however, you can easily avoid overloading your electric panel by having your home built with all your electric needs in mind.
According to Angie’s List, most modern homes use 200-amp panels, which have a higher capacity and can fit more circuits. However, your builder may not include one if the home is not entirely electric (e.g., you have gas appliances or heating). A 100-amp panel is not less safe than a 200-amp, it just holds fewer circuits. Since 200-amp panels can be slightly more expensive, your builder may not automatically include one if your home is partially run on gas.
What to Do:
Ask your builder if a 200-amp panel comes standard in their homes. Ask them to install one if not.
Consider a smart load management system to balance power.
Place the panel in a garage or utility area for easy access to EV wiring.
4. Position the Garage or Carport Strategically
Will your new home have a carport or garage? Where you park your car impacts EV charger installation costs and convenience. Running conduit across long distances or through finished areas increases expense.
Design Tips:
Attach the garage to the home near the main panel or utility meter.
Add a sub-panel in the garage if the main panel is far away.
If building a detached garage or carport, run conduit during foundation work to save future hassle.
If you opt for a carport, know that you’ll need to account for weatherproofing your charger, which could add to initial costs.
5. Integrate Solar and Battery Storage
Charging your EV with solar energy can reduce your carbon footprint and utility bills. Think about it: The whole point of installing EV chargers is to, well, charge your car. It’ll probably be on the charger any time it’s parked, or at least overnight.
“Charging your car overnight will provide more than enough battery power to get through the day without needing to recharge,” according to Energy Star. “Home charging is also more convenient and less expensive than public EV charging.”
But all that charge time is going to affect your utility bills – and your energy usage. The fact that you own an EV says you want to reduce your footprint; luckily, there are ways you can have the best of both worlds.
Suggestions:
Install a solar-ready electrical system (with conduit and space on the panel).
Add a battery storage system to charge EVs during outages or peak hours.
Use bi-directional chargers (if supported) to let your EV power your home in emergencies. With bi-directional chargers, electricity flows from the electric gride to the EV or vice versa, allowing your vehicle to supply power to your home.
Consider a solar carport for your EV.
6. Build with Smart Home Integration in Mind
Smart home tech can optimize when and how you charge your EV, which is another way to keep costs and energy usage down. Many new homes are built with smart features integrated into the design, so it should be a breeze to use those features to optimize your EV charging.
Handy Features:
Wi-Fi-connected EV chargers to schedule charging during off-peak times.
Integration with home energy monitors to reduce demand charges.
App-based control of garage doors, lights, and chargers.
7. Ensure Future-Proofing
EV infrastructure is quickly becoming a common option in new construction. Even if you’re not using all the features now, pre-installing the infrastructure can help you save the headache of having to add it later.
“Pre-wiring new homes for EV charging during construction can save a homeowner hundreds of dollars later,” according to Energy Star.
Future-Proofing Ideas:
Run empty conduit from the panel to the garage for future wiring.
Choose universal charger mounts instead of brand-specific ones.
Label breakers and circuits clearly for future upgrades or inspections.
The Bottom Line
Designing a home to support electric vehicles is no longer just a tech-savvy luxury, it’s a practical step toward a more sustainable and future-ready lifestyle.
With thoughtful planning, you can enjoy faster charging and higher property value, all while making the transition to clean transportation seamless.
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James Klingele
James Klingele holds a Bachelor of Science in Digital Media Innovation from Texas State University. He is a digital media specialist and content creator with a passion for storytelling in both print and digital formats. His work has included covering high-profile events like SXSW, where he contributed to content creation for global audiences. He has been a content specialist for NewHomeSource since 2024.