EV Charger Installation in Arundel, Maine

Arundel is a commuter town. Route 1 runs north toward Biddeford and Saco, the Maine Turnpike crosses the town, and Route 111 heads inland toward Lyman. The nearest high-speed chargers are the Superchargers at the Kennebunk service plazas on the Turnpike, eight on each side. For someone driving to Portland or Portsmouth every day, though, the useful charger is the one in the garage, running overnight so the car leaves home full. Winter cold cuts range and adds cabin heat to the load, which makes a reliable home charger even more important.

Arundel's housing makes installation fairly direct in many cases. Houses from the 1980s onward often have an attached garage or one close to the house, and single-family lots are big enough that a pedestal charger at the end of a driveway is also an option. The panel is the bigger question. A 100- or 150-amp service that already feeds a well pump, an electric dryer and maybe a heat pump can run out of room before a 40- or 48-amp charging circuit fits. The options then are to turn the charger’s output down, add a device that divides capacity between the charger and the house, or upgrade the service. In a manufactured home, the pedestal service and its feeder have to be checked as well.

After a look at the panel, Goodnow Electric can put in a hardwired unit, such as a Tesla Wall Connector or a universal model, or a plug-in charger. Efficiency Maine's off-peak program presently puts $400 toward an eligible Emporia Level 2 charger, $200 at checkout and $200 after setup, as long as the owner takes a time-of-use rate and lets the charger stand down on weekday evenings between 5 and 9. Customers of Kennebunk Light & Power District should check with the district about rate options. The installation is covered by Arundel's electrical permit, and a charger added to a detached garage or barn may need a new feeder trenched from the house.