Range anxiety and long charging times are some of the more pressing challenges the electric vehicle industry faces today. But these aspects arguably overshadow some underlying issues that require equal, if not more attention, like a proportionate upgrade of the electricity grid, and the safety of electrical systems in homes.<\/p>\n
The Electrical Safety Foundation (ESFI) recently conducted a consumer survey to understand the compatibility of American homes with safe EV charging. ESFI discovered that more than 50 percent of US homes don\u2019t have electrical systems ready for the continuous load that EV charging demands.<\/p>\n
63 percent of respondents said that they scheduled a home inspection before installing electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE), and 54 percent of homes required an electrical panel upgrade. Even though 75 percent of EV owners did not face any charging issues, eight percent of them had received an electrical shock.<\/p>\n
Using manufacturer-approved and certified charging equipment is vital in ensuring the safety of your home and your EV. InsideEVs<\/em> recommends using EV charging equipment that adheres to safety standards from UL, ETL, TUV, or CSA, and buyers should ensure that the body of the unit contains a printed label.<\/p>\n EV charging often involves large quantities of current flow over sustained time periods. \u201cThe longer a circuit is energized, the more it heats up, and the connections can become stressed,\u201d InsideEVs<\/em> senior editor and charging expert Tom Moloughney wrote in his charging guide last year.<\/p>\n \u201cOlder homes may not be able to safely handle EV charging without overloading the home\u2019s electrical system,\u201d said ESFI President Brett Brenner. \u201cESFI urges consumers to have a qualified electrician complete an assessment on their home before purchasing or installing EVSE to ensure their electrical system can withstand the demands of EV charging.\u201d<\/p>\n