Electric vehicle sales in Maine are growing fast. With state rebates, federal tax credits, and fuel prices that never seem to settle, more homeowners across Portland, Scarborough, and Falmouth are making the switch. But there's one step many people overlook until they're sitting in the dealer's office: making sure their home can actually charge the car.
At Goodnow Electric, we've installed dozens of residential EV chargers and the process is straightforward — when it's done right. Here's what you need to know.
Level 1 vs. Level 2: Why the Outlet in Your Garage Won't Cut It
Every EV comes with a Level 1 charger that plugs into a standard 120-volt outlet. The problem? It adds roughly 4 to 5 miles of range per hour. For most commuters, that means leaving your car plugged in all night and still not reaching a full charge by morning.
A Level 2 EV charger uses a 240-volt circuit — the same type that powers your dryer or oven — and delivers 25 to 30 miles of range per hour. That's a full charge overnight, every night, without thinking about it.
What the Installation Actually Involves
A proper EV charger installation includes more than just mounting a box on your garage wall. Here's what Goodnow Electric handles during a typical install:
- Electrical assessment — We check your existing panel to see if it can support a 40- or 50-amp dedicated circuit. If not, we'll recommend an electrical panel upgrade first.
- Dedicated circuit run — A new 240-volt line from your panel to the charger location, sized to code and protected by the correct breaker.
- Charger mounting and wiring — We install the unit at the right height and location for your vehicle, whether it's in the garage, on an exterior wall, or in a carport.
- Permitting and inspection — We pull all required permits and schedule the electrical inspection so everything is up to code.
Do You Need a Panel Upgrade?
This is the question we get most often. If your home was built before 2000 and still has a 100-amp panel, the answer is almost always yes. Modern homes with 200-amp panels can usually accommodate the additional circuit without any upgrades.
We see this frequently in older neighborhoods across Westbrook, Gorham, and Saco — the homes are beautiful but the electrical systems haven't kept up. The good news is that we handle both the panel upgrade and the charger install as one project, which saves on both labor and scheduling.
Choosing the Right Charger
We work with all major EV charger brands and can help you pick the right one for your vehicle and driving habits. Some things to consider:
- Amperage — A 40-amp charger handles most daily driving. Heavy commuters or multi-EV households may want a 48-amp unit.
- Smart features — Wi-Fi-enabled chargers let you schedule charging during off-peak hours, track energy usage, and get notifications. If you already have smart home technology, these integrate nicely with your existing setup.
- Indoor vs. outdoor — NEMA 4 rated chargers handle Maine winters without issue. We install both configurations.
Pairing Solar with Your EV
Some of our customers in Cape Elizabeth and South Portland are offsetting their EV charging costs entirely with solar panels. The math works well in Maine — a typical rooftop solar system generates enough surplus during peak hours to cover most of your charging needs. We can design both systems together so your panel, solar inverter, and charger all work seamlessly.
What Does It Cost?
A straightforward Level 2 charger installation — with no panel upgrade needed — typically runs between $500 and $1,200 for labor, plus the cost of the charger unit itself. If a panel upgrade is required, that's a separate investment, but one that adds value to your home well beyond just EV charging.
Maine also offers rebates through Efficiency Maine, and the federal 30C tax credit can cover up to 30% of installation costs. We'll walk you through the available incentives during your estimate.
Get Your Home EV-Ready
Whether you've already ordered your vehicle or you're still researching, the best time to get your electrical system assessed is before the car arrives. Contact Goodnow Electric for a free estimate. You can also learn more about our team or check out our recent projects — including several EV charger installations in Windham and Biddeford.
Call us at (207) 318-1022 to schedule a convenient time. The owner is on-site for every job — you'll never deal with a random subcontractor.