50 Amp for Electric Cars Futureproofing

[mobiledynamics]

Helping my brother with his new house - he's got no sense of construction. Basically on the weekends, I'm playing contractor and he's my helper.

Whaddya guys think. I'm think it would be a good idea to run a 6awg - 50 amp dedicated to a area close to the garage door - in theory, just that the *fuel* outlet for a electric car. He's not buying a Tesla anytime soon, but I can easily see him buying a MB, etc when the fit/finish of a electric car is out there that is comparable to current luxe cars ...

 

[slow]

I would, it could always be used for a welder as well.

Or at least run a conduit over there so adding would be easier in the future.

 

[rockwithjason]

what he said

 

[Stuart in MN]

I'm no expert but generally electric cars plug in somewhere towards the front, don't they? I'd think a connection point there would make more sense than by the garage door.

 

[themiller]

http://www.teslamotors.com/sites/default/files/downloads/charging_wall_connector.pdf

I'd put it on the drivers side. I think the volt has it drivers side front, and the leaf is front. Charging stations seem to be "head-in" so I'd imagine that will continue to be a good place to put it.

 

[mobiledynamics]

I think I might have either decided to put it mid-way or 1 up front and 1 up rear with the fact that both are sharing the same circuit.....

I guess it depends if he backs in. I generally back in, versus backing out in the morning...

Tesla is drivers rear

 

[Syberia]

This is probably one of those things that should wait until he has the car or at least knows what he's going to buy. Of course, if he uses a welder or other device that can use the socket now, by all means go for it. Just don't expect it to necessarily be in the right place for e-car charging.

 

[redmondjp]

A great idea - plug location depends upon the car. One neighbor's Leaf connects in the front. The other neighbor's iMev has plugs in the rear. I'd put it near the door on the inside - that way, it can be easily extended outside if necessary.

 

[DNK]

If you have 2 cars do you need 2 50 Ampers?

 

[mobiledynamics]

You would if you were to charge both at the same time. But if that was even on my radar, I'd rather put a subpanel in the garage and then breakout from there...

 

[toplessHO]

rough in the circuit and extend as needed when needed

 

[sberry]

If you don't need it for other tools just figure out a way it is possible but really,, a real garage has a 100A panel in it. I was a place a while back,, wondering if I could make a 220 cord to reach in the basement,,, the garage had a 100A 20 space panel,,, ha They had a circuit or 2 for recept and lights but the rest was rocked in real nice.
Cut some drywall if you want to use it I guess. If you don't care about parking money put wire in. If you use 3 conductor could eventually put a panel on but this doesn't sound like the guy wants to keep adding power tools.

 

[Electric_Light]

He may need to get a second meter so he can have just the EV on Time-of-use. Why? Going TOU for the whole house would roughly double the peak kWh price. It would be brutal on A/C bill just to get the night rate for the EV. So, some utilities offer the TOU meter just for the charging outlet to EV owners while letting the rest of the house stay on the normal plan. Utility won't install the meter without an EV and a proper permit for the said circuit.

If he roughs in the wire and route them through J boxes at each place where he may want the outlet, it'll let him put the outlet at any of the J-boxes at later time without snaking or tearing walls apart.