KB Home, one of the largest homebuilders in the U.S., has announced that they will be providing the option to homebuyers to pre-wire their new construction homes so that they are ready for the high voltage, high amperage electrical lines required to charge electric cars quickly and properly.
The company views this new option as an extension of their already existing “My Home. My Earth.” campaign to make their homes more energy efficient and load them with features and equipment that both save money and have a lowered environmental impact.
While it’s certainly no complicated feat to add a pre-wired electric car charging circuit into a home (what, 240V/80A as recommended by SAE?), it does mark a major shift in the marketing strategies of homebuilders throughout this country. As we enter what is sure to be period of time we will all look back at as the most important evolution of personal mobility since the invention of the automobile, people who are planning ahead will be smart to include such circuits in their homes from the beginning.
“It is critical for the mass adoption of electric vehicles to have companies like KB Home leading the industry by offering this pre-wire option, as the majority of electric vehicle charging will be done at home overnight,” said Matt Mattila, Project Manager for the Rocky Mountain Institute’s Project Get Ready, in a statement. “Not only is it convenient, but when managed correctly, charging overnight, at home, will put less strain on the grid than opportunity day-time charging at public charging stations.”
Source: KB Home
Image Credit: Nissan
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It’s a small but significant step, to be sure. Too bad they are still building new homes that when there is already a glut of existing homes that no one can afford to buy. They also happen to be building them largely in giant, unwalkable sprawling suburban greenfields. Let’s see KB Homes start renovating existing homes, or doing urban infill, or building mixed-use high rises in city centers, and I might be willing to change my view of them.
It’s a small but significant step, to be sure. Too bad they are still building new homes that when there is already a glut of existing homes that no one can afford to buy. They also happen to be building them largely in giant, unwalkable sprawling suburban greenfields. Let’s see KB Homes start renovating existing homes, or doing urban infill, or building mixed-use high rises in city centers, and I might be willing to change my view of them.
It’s smart marketing by the builder.
It’s smart marketing by the builder.
I live in a SouthWestern small town, in a relatively new home in a subdivision, built by local contractor who lives on the premises.
In my home I already have 240 Volt wiring for wood working machinery, although not the required 80 Amp circuit wiring and its protection.
I don’t think cost would be prohibitive for upgrade to code. Chevy Volt wouldn’t do for me, but the Ford EV delivery van really got my interest up, even though I have no info on the specs.
I live in a SouthWestern small town, in a relatively new home in a subdivision, built by local contractor who lives on the premises.
In my home I already have 240 Volt wiring for wood working machinery, although not the required 80 Amp circuit wiring and its protection.
I don’t think cost would be prohibitive for upgrade to code. Chevy Volt wouldn’t do for me, but the Ford EV delivery van really got my interest up, even though I have no info on the specs.
I’m curious. Is this a single charging circuit (his) or a dual charging circuit (his and hers)? Can a home even handle the need to charge two cars in one evening? I read somewhere that there was a limit to the number of ‘amps’ that an individual house would be allocated which was less than what’s needed just to charge two cars at this rate…
I’m curious. Is this a single charging circuit (his) or a dual charging circuit (his and hers)? Can a home even handle the need to charge two cars in one evening? I read somewhere that there was a limit to the number of ‘amps’ that an individual house would be allocated which was less than what’s needed just to charge two cars at this rate…