The very first thing EV homeowners should contemplate is how they’re going to cost their autos. There are two widespread varieties of house charging options. Stage 1 charging is a simple plug-in of the EV into any commonplace 120V outlet. This requires no electrical modification, and it usually takes about 20 hours to achieve a full cost. In the meantime, degree 2 charging models are offered individually from the automotive and require set up by an electrician as they’re plugged right into a 240V outlet, which permits for a a lot sooner cost.

“Charging stations are geared up with security gadgets reminiscent of GFCIs, that are floor fault circuit interrupters […] which is able to determine if there’s a brief within the electrical and can reduce the charger off to attenuate the chance,” stated Naughton. “There’s a threat of electrical shock and electrocution, however there are particular safeguards which might be robotically constructed into the tools, so the dangers are usually low.

“However if you end up charging an EV, it’s vital to examine for any harm to the charging station itself as a result of that’s the place a possible electrical quick might come into play, and an electrocution publicity might exist by way of that. Any harm to the hose, poor upkeep, or uncovered inside circumstances of the charging unit could be a sign that it wants restore from damages.”

Learn subsequent: Electric vehicle cybersecurity: Business owners worried about the risks

EVs run on lithium-ion batteries, which may trigger a major fireplace hazard if broken. The priority with lithium-ion batteries, based on Naughton, is just not that they’re extra more likely to ignite, however that after they do ignite, they burn very popular, they’re very onerous to extinguish, they usually have the potential to reignite. To mitigate this threat, many EV automotive producers are enclosing lithium-ion batteries and putting them inside the automobile the place they’re much less prone to break – however that then makes it troublesome for EV homeowners to watch whether or not their batteries are in good working order.

“If there’s harm to a lithium-ion battery, it may well produce thermal runaway [and increase the risk of electrical short and fire],” Naughton emphasised. “It’s good observe to just be sure you are bringing your automotive in to be correctly maintained as per the producer’s pointers. These finishing up the upkeep must be licensed to work on EVs, and they should examine the standard and situation of the lithium-ion batteries.

“If there’s harm to an EV – for instance, if a driver is concerned in a collision – it’s vital to not park the automobile inside your storage [in case there has] been any harm to the lithium-ion battery. It’s not good observe to park the broken automobile at house. Preserve it a protected distance away and take it to a restore store as quickly as attainable.”

Learn extra: Zurich launches coverage suite for electric vehicles

Just a few different house security EV threat administration ideas that Naughton shared included: not utilizing an extension wire for extended use (throughout degree 1 charging), and storing all parts and gadgets associated to EV charging models, together with the connection hoses, off the bottom and out of attain of youngsters to scale back electrocution threat and stop slips, journeys and falls.

As for insurance coverage, whereas householders usually are not required to inform their insurer in the event that they buy an EV – they’re not being priced any otherwise by underwriters at this level – there’s some helpful info that householders ought to share with their agent or dealer, based on Naughton.

“What you could need to determine along with your dealer, which is a superb finest observe, is the management options you might have in your house for fireplace exposures on the whole,” she informed Insurance coverage Enterprise. “Smoke detectors in your house, warmth detectors in your storage and the crawl area, and a residential sprinkler system in your house – these are all nice finest practices for fireplace mitigation [… and] normally carriers are recommending and giving credit score for cover gadgets as a result of they assist mitigate threat.”