See my comments below ... feel free to ask additional questions and let me know if you need a referral code
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I am getting ready to get my first Tesla in early 2018, based on Tesla website. I am new to this and before calling electricians for estimates, I wanted to be informed so that I can ask the right questions and not have a fast one pulled over me. My situation is as follows:
- Planning to have 2 Tesla M3 in 2018 (one for me and one for wife) but possibly add another EV 3-4 years down the road when pretty much all of the car companies will have their own long range EV
- My wife and I each drive about 60 miles round trip daily, on weekends we normally drive one car about 150 miles total
- We are from southern California. We don’t have many long road trips except an occasional drive 250 miles one-way to Las Vegas
Questions and comments I have regarding charging set up. Feedback would be greatly appreciated.
1. With 2 Tesla’s I was thinking about installing only 1 HPWC. I could alternate charging between the 2 cars every other day since this should cover our range from the standard range M3. Would there be any problem with this?
Based on your usage pattern you should be fine with one HPWC.
2. Instead of spending money on two HPWC's, I would add a 14-50 outlet in the same wall location. I am guessing this would be a small incremental expense. This could serve as a 2nd charger for the 2nd M3 or as a backup for any future EV that doesn’t use the HPWC. I assume this is less expensive than buying a 2nd HPWC and that a 2nd HPWC is overkill since it’s not needed. Is my thinking correct?
Yes, an additional NEMA 14-50 is far less expensive than another HPWC. This is exactly what I did in my garage
3. My home is only several years old and main circuit breaker has 200A. It has a 70A subpanel for household outlets, etc...
Should be fine based on your usage profile listed below.
4. We have very little electricity usage during the day. Evenings primarily only TV and a few computers of usage. All lights are LED so not much draw. Air condition use only during summer months but fairly mild weather and high A/C setting over 75 degrees so I think electricity draw doesn’t come close to using the full 200A. Would this be enough or would an expensive upgrade to 400A circuit be required? If 200A is enough, would electrician just need to install the HPWC and 14-50 outlet on the wall and cost would be reasonable, say less than $1000? No need to upgrade your service at this time. An electrician can complete a load calculation to confirm.
I paid $700 for installation of a HPWC and NEMA 14-50 in my garage.
5. We have solar installed and have a big credit that should cover at least one and maybe both of the EV electricity charging during the year. Would this impact any decision on what to install for charging?
Yes, you can use your credit to cover charging and also switch to a EV favorable TOU rate schedule for additional savings in SoCal.
6. The main breaker is on wall outside of garage and I am planning to install the HPWC directly inside garage and where there is also another subpanel already on the wall. Does anyone have any experience with a good electrician in Orange County who offer decent prices to do this type of install? If 200A is enough, would electrician just need to install the HPWC and 14-50 outlet on the wall and cost would be reasonable, say less than $1000, since I don't need to add another circuit breaker?
Get 3 quotes from different electricians and let them know you are comparison shopping. You should be fine with a $1,000 budget for the work based on your sub panel location.
7. Oh and a misc. dumb question – when the Tesla is being charged, can one accidentally pull the car out of the garage with the charging cable still plugged to the car and ruin something? Or is there some sort of alert or disabling where you cannot drive off until the charging cable is removed from the car. I am thinking ahead and can see through an oversight how this might happen to me.
Your Tesla will not engage the drive train when the vehicle is charging ... fool proof!