Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming the norm in Ireland, and while many households are starting with one EV, the reality is that more families will soon own two or even three. If you’re planning home improvements or installing your first charger, it makes sense to think ahead. Future-proofing your home now can save money, hassle, and upgrade costs down the line.
Here’s how Irish homeowners can get their homes ready for multiple EVs.
1. Install a Higher-Capacity Charger
Most single EV chargers in Ireland run at 7.4kW, which is ideal for overnight charging. However, if you anticipate adding another EV, consider installing a charger that supports load balancing or even a dual-port setup. This way, you can share the available power safely between two cars without overloading your home’s supply.
2. Upgrade Your Electrical Supply
Many Irish homes operate on a single-phase supply, which can limit charging capacity. For households expecting multiple EVs, upgrading to three-phase power (if available in your area) can make a huge difference. It allows faster charging and better distribution of power across appliances, future-proofing your system for years to come.
3. Choose Smart Chargers with Load Balancing
Smart EV chargers can automatically manage how much power each car receives, depending on demand and household usage. This prevents tripped circuits and avoids costly electricity spikes. Some advanced systems even let you prioritise one car over another, useful if one EV needs to be ready for an early morning commute.
4. Plan for Solar Integration
If you’re considering solar panels, think about how they will interact with EV charging. A solar-compatible EV charger can use excess solar energy to top up your car during the day. Pairing your charger with a home battery can make it possible to store excess energy and use it to charge multiple cars overnight.
5. Future-Proof the Cabling
When installing your first EV charger, run additional conduit or cabling so that a second charger can be easily added later. The cost of preparing for another charger during the first installation is much lower than digging up driveways or rewiring the house later.
6. Think About Parking Layout
It’s worth considering how you’ll park two or more EVs at home. Whether you’re using wall-mounted chargers or free-standing pedestals, plan the charger location and cable lengths so both cars can reach comfortably without hassle.
7. Monitor Energy Usage
Installing a smart meter and pairing it with a home energy management system lets you see how much energy your EVs are consuming. This can help you decide when to upgrade your system and optimise charging around the cheapest electricity rates.
Final Thoughts
If you’re only installing one EV charger today, it’s still worth planning for the future. Adding capacity, preparing your wiring, and choosing smart, solar-ready systems will make it much easier (and cheaper) to expand when your household adds another electric car.
At WattCharger, we specialise in helping Irish homeowners design EV charging solutions that grow with your needs. Whether you’re in Dublin, Cork, or anywhere in Ireland, our team can recommend the best future-proof options.
👉 Get your free quote today and prepare your home for the EV future.
Blog Author: Rowan Egan