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EV Charger FAQs — Real Questions We Get from Homeowners
We’ve been getting a lot of EV questions lately — from Fort Myers to Cape Coral to Bonita Springs — and honestly, we love it. Folks are curious, cautious, and excited all at once. They’ve made the switch to an electric vehicle, or they’re thinking about it, but they’re not sure what happens next when it comes to charging at home.
We figured it’s time to put together a straight-shooting FAQ — the stuff we actually get asked on job sites, in driveways, and over the phone. No marketing talk, no tech babble. Just what you really need to know before installing an EV charger.
We’re Coharbor Electric, and we’ve installed hundreds of EV chargers around Southwest Florida — from basic garage setups to dual-port smart systems for whole condo buildings. Here’s what we’ve learned (and what you’ve probably wondered, too).
Yes — but don’t expect much speed.
That’s called Level 1 charging, and it runs off a normal 120-volt outlet. It’ll give you maybe 3 to 5 miles of range per hour. So if your car’s totally empty, you’re talking a full day (sometimes more) to charge.
It’s fine for light driving — short commutes, grocery runs, retirees who don’t go far. But if you drive daily or have a long commute, you’ll want a Level 2 charger. That’s the kind we install in homes — 240 volts, 20–40 miles of range per hour, full charge overnight.
We’ll help you decide which setup fits your lifestyle and power system best.
Level 1 uses a standard outlet (no installation needed). Level 2 uses a dedicated 240-volt circuit — the same kind of power your dryer or stove uses.
The difference in speed is night and day. Level 2 chargers fill your battery 6–10 times faster than Level 1.
Level 1 is the “it’ll get there eventually” option. Level 2 is “plug it in before bed, wake up ready to go.”
We’ve installed both, but almost every homeowner who starts with Level 1 calls us later for an upgrade.
Usually half a day. Sometimes a full day if the electrical panel’s far from the garage or driveway.
We start by checking your panel, calculating available load, and planning the route for the new circuit. We’ll pull the permit, run the wiring, mount the charger, and test everything before we leave.
No guesswork. No mess. Just a clean, code-compliant installation that’s ready to go.
That depends on how much capacity you’ve got left.
A lot of Fort Myers homes still run on 100-amp service, which can be tight if you’ve got AC, pool equipment, and a few large appliances running. But that doesn’t always mean you need a full panel upgrade.
We use load management systems that balance your home’s power automatically. When the AC or dryer kicks on, the charger eases back. When the load drops, it speeds up again.
That means you can safely add an EV charger without upgrading to 200 amps right away. We do that all the time for homeowners in older neighborhoods like McGregor, Iona, and Whiskey Creek.
Every home’s a little different, but most fall between $600 and $2,000 total.
It depends on:
How far your panel is from where the charger goes
Whether you need a new circuit or breaker
If we’re adding surge protection or load management gear
And whether you choose a plug-in or hardwired unit
We’ll give you a straight quote upfront — no surprises, no upselling.
Not much, but it’s good to check them every few months.
Wipe the connectors, make sure the cable’s not frayed, and keep the charger covered or shaded if it’s outdoors. Florida sun and humidity can be rough on any electrical gear.
We also recommend having us do a quick check once a year — tighten connections, inspect seals, and test for corrosion. Takes about 20 minutes, and it keeps things running safely.
Technically, sure. Should you? Probably not.
EV chargers pull high, continuous loads for hours. If the wire size, breaker, or connections are wrong, that heat builds up fast — and you won’t know it until it’s too late.
We’ve seen a few DIY installs that literally melted the outlet or scorched the breaker. It’s not worth the risk.
When you hire Coharbor Electric, you’re getting a licensed, insured install that’s permitted, inspected, and safe. Your car warranty and home insurance stay valid, too.
There’s no “one best” brand — it depends on your car and your home.
We like JuiceBox, ChargePoint, Emporia, and Wallbox because they’re reliable, smart, and UL-rated.
Some let you control charging from your phone, monitor energy use, or even connect to solar systems. We’ll help you pick one that fits your setup — not just what’s popular.
Absolutely. We install dual-port Level 2 chargers all the time for families with two EVs.
They share one power source but split the current automatically between both cars. It’s clean, simple, and cheaper than running two separate chargers.
We just make sure your panel can handle the draw or add a smart load-sharing system if needed.
That’s a little trickier — but totally doable.
If you live in a condo or townhome, you’ll probably need HOA approval. We’ll provide stamped drawings, load calculations, and all the info your board needs to approve the project.
We’ve installed shared chargers for communities across Lee County, from downtown Fort Myers to Cape Coral. Some use smart billing systems so residents only pay for what they use.
Whether it’s your assigned garage space or a shared lot, we’ll help your HOA figure out a safe, code-compliant setup.
Depends on your charger and your car.
A Level 1 charger (regular outlet) adds 3–5 miles of range per hour. A Level 2 adds 20–40 miles per hour. So if you plug in overnight, you’ll wake up full nearly every time.
Bigger batteries (like Rivians or F-150 Lightnings) take a bit longer, but a proper Level 2 setup keeps things consistent and reliable.
Yes — and we’re seeing more people do that now.
If you’ve got rooftop solar, we can integrate your charger to pull from that system first. You’ll still use grid power when needed, but you’ll offset a good chunk of your charging costs with free energy from the sun.
It’s not just efficient — it’s smart planning.
Pretty simple. We show up, check the layout, confirm the plan, and get to work.
You’ll have power most of the day. We might cut it briefly when tying into the panel, but we keep it quick and clean.
When we’re done, we test the system with your car and walk you through how everything works — charging times, safety shutoffs, even the app if you’ve got a smart charger.
And yes, we clean up before we leave. No drywall dust, no packaging left behind.
If you’re thinking about adding an EV charger, don’t overcomplicate it. The key is matching the right charger to your home’s electrical setup — safely and efficiently.
We’ve installed hundreds of these systems across Fort Myers, and no two homes are exactly alike. That’s why we start with inspection, not assumptions.
You’ll get clear answers, honest pricing, and a setup that’s built to last — no stress, no surprises.
👉 Call Coharbor Electric today to schedule your EV charger consultation. We’ll check your electrical panel, plan the installation, and help you choose the perfect Level 2 system for your home or condo.
We make EV charging simple, safe, and built for Florida living.
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