EV Charger Installation at Home: What You Need to Know Before You Buy

More People Are Asking About EV Chargers. Here’s What You Actually Need to Know

Electric vehicles are becoming a lot more common on the Sunshine Coast, and the first question most new EV owners ask is: can I charge at home? The short answer is yes, but there are a few things worth understanding before you spend money on a charger.

Level 1 vs Level 2 Charging

You have two main options for home charging.

Level 1 is a standard 10A power point. Every EV can use one, and you don’t need any special installation. The downside is speed. You’ll get roughly 10 to 15 kilometres of range per hour of charging, which means overnight charging won’t fully top up most modern EVs if you’ve had a big day of driving.

Level 2 is a dedicated EV charger running on a 32A circuit. These typically deliver 7 to 22kW and will fully charge most EVs in a few hours overnight. This is what most EV owners end up wanting once they’ve lived with Level 1 for a few weeks.

What Your Home Needs to Support a Level 2 Charger

A dedicated 32A circuit needs to be run from your switchboard to the garage or wherever you’re parking the car. That means new wiring, a new circuit breaker, and in most cases an RCD as well.

The bigger question is whether your switchboard can handle the extra load. A 7kW EV charger running alongside air conditioning, a hot water system, and a cooktop is a significant draw. If your board is older or close to capacity, it may need upgrading before a charger is installed. A licensed electrician needs to assess this before any charger is purchased or committed to.

Single Phase vs Three Phase

Most homes on the Sunshine Coast have single phase power, which limits you to around 7kW with a home charger. Three phase homes can access 11 to 22kW chargers, cutting charge times further. If you don’t know which you have, check your switchboard or ask your electrician.

Which Charger Brand Should You Buy?

The charger market has exploded and the quality varies a lot. We install a range of units and can supply one as part of the job if you want to take the guesswork out of it. What matters more than brand is matching the charger output to what your home’s electrical supply can actually deliver. An oversized charger you can’t run at full speed is money wasted.

Do You Need Council Approval?

In most cases, no. A standard single phase EV charger installation falls under normal licensed electrical work. There’s no building approval needed, and your electrician will handle the compliance certificate. If you’re upgrading to three phase supply, the process involves Energex and takes longer, but your electrician manages that too.

Get a Quote for EV Charger Installation on the Sunshine Coast

Leading Edge Electrical installs EV chargers across the Sunshine Coast for homes and businesses. We’ll assess your switchboard, recommend the right charger and circuit, and handle the full installation. Call Joel on 0418 416 481 or use the quote form below.