Electric vehicle adoption is growing steadily across Texas, including in Marshall and the surrounding East Texas area. As more homeowners make the switch to EVs — or add a second electric vehicle to the household — the question of home charging becomes practical and immediate. Charging from a standard wall outlet works in a pinch, but it is slow, inefficient, and in some cases hard on your vehicle’s battery over time.
A professionally installed Level 2 home EV charger is the right long-term solution. Here is what Marshall and East Texas homeowners need to understand before the project begins.
Level 1 vs Level 2 Charging: What’s the Difference?
Level 1 charging uses a standard 120V household outlet — the same type you use for a lamp or phone charger. Most EVs come with a Level 1 cord. It works, but it is extremely slow, adding roughly 3 to 5 miles of range per hour of charging. For drivers with short daily commutes, this may be sufficient. For most homeowners in East Texas who drive longer distances or use their vehicle daily, Level 1 is impractical.
Level 2 charging uses a 240V circuit — the same voltage as a dryer or electric range. A Level 2 charger adds 20 to 30 miles of range per hour depending on the vehicle and charger capacity. Most EVs reach a full charge overnight with Level 2. This is the standard home charging setup for serious EV owners.
What a Level 2 Installation Requires
Installing a Level 2 EV charger requires a dedicated 240V circuit run from your electrical panel to the garage or parking area where you charge. The circuit size depends on the charger — most residential Level 2 chargers use a 40-amp or 50-amp circuit, though 60-amp circuits are available for faster charging on newer vehicles.
This is not a DIY project. Running a 240V circuit involves working inside your electrical panel, selecting the correct wire gauge for the amperage and distance, installing a proper weatherproof outlet or hardwiring the EVSE unit, and in Texas, pulling the appropriate permit and scheduling an inspection.
Shilowe Electric and Data handles every step of the EV charger installation process — from assessing your panel capacity to completing the circuit and verifying the final installation.
Panel Capacity: The First Question to Answer
Before any EV charger installation, the first thing Shilowe Electric and Data checks is your panel’s available capacity. A 40-amp EV charger circuit requires available space in your panel and enough total amperage headroom to add the new load without pushing your panel beyond its rated capacity.
Many older homes in Marshall and East Texas have 100-amp service panels. Adding a 40-amp EV charger circuit to a 100-amp panel that is already carrying a heavy load — HVAC, electric water heater, dryer, and full household circuits — may require a panel upgrade before the charger can be installed safely. In some cases, a load calculation shows sufficient capacity exists. In others, upgrading to 200-amp service is the right step.
Shilowe Electric and Data will give you an honest assessment of your panel’s current condition and available capacity before any charger installation work begins. If a panel upgrade is needed, we handle that through our home electrical upgrades service.
Charger Placement and Circuit Routing
The charger itself is typically mounted on the garage wall nearest to where the vehicle parks. The circuit route from the panel to that location depends on your home’s construction — running through an attached garage is usually straightforward, while routing to a detached garage or carport requires either underground conduit or overhead cable.
Shilowe Electric and Data assesses the best routing option for your specific property and installs the circuit in a way that is clean, code-compliant, and safe for long-term use.
Smart Chargers and App Integration
Most modern Level 2 chargers connect to a phone app and allow you to schedule charging during off-peak utility hours, monitor charging history, and receive notifications when charging is complete. Some chargers also integrate with solar panel systems if your home has one.
Shilowe Electric and Data can hardwire your EVSE unit or install the appropriate outlet for a plug-in charger depending on your preference. Either approach produces a safe, code-compliant installation.
What About Outdoor Installations?
For homeowners without a garage, a weatherproof outdoor installation is a straightforward option. The outlet or EVSE unit is mounted on an exterior wall or post with appropriate weatherproof hardware, and the circuit is run through conduit to protect the wiring.
To schedule an EV charger installation assessment in Marshall, TX or anywhere in East Texas, contact Shilowe Electric and Data at (940) 281-9940 or through our contact page. You can also learn more about our residential electrical services for a full picture of what we handle.