Local Spotlight: Plug In, Chill Out with Taurean EV Charging Solutions
Fancy finding you here and I’m so happy you’re back!
We have another great blog contributor who is a local powerhouse woman who not only is literal sunshine inside and out BUT also someone who really cares about the environment. If you haven’t met Nicole from Taureen EV Charging Solutions, she is someone you will want to meet!
I knew Nicole previously from other business colleagues but we actually also spent 1 year together in a small business program for woman. I got the pleasure of seeing her every month and she taught me SO much about EV’s and what to buy… so of course I had to ask her to come and share all of that with you because I do believe EV’s will be more popular in the coming years. If you don’t know where you sit with EV’s or you simply want to learn more, I highly recommend you read the blog post Nicole has created for us. You will probably learn a thing or two and if not, she’s a great writer so you will enjoy the article. Anyways, Nicole - Take it away!
Hi Eco-Friendly Friends!
I'm Nicole, founder of Taurean EV Charging Solutions, residential EV charging specialist, unapologetic EV nerd who gets way too excited when they see an EV in someone’s driveway, and the person who's passionate about helping homeowners make the switch to electric with confidence.
The wonderful Markie (IKYK) was kind enough to let me crash her blog today, so let me share a bit about my story and of course talk about something that's about to become as standard in your home as a dishwasher: a Level 2 EV charger.
Photo by Mike Wilkins
My Why
Five years ago, I looked around Windsor-Essex and saw a whole lot of gas stations and not nearly enough people who could explain, in plain English, how to charge a car at home. So, I built the company I wished existed.
I started Taurean EV when my first-born was four months old. I was sleep-deprived, running on coffee and blind optimism. Staring down at this tiny human, I thought to myself, “he is going to inherit whatever mess or magic we leave behind on this planet,” so my "Someday" of creating an eco-forward business stopped being a dream and instead became reality. Taurean EV is my love letter to him (and his brother now), to the planet, to the animals who don't get a vote… proof that real change starts at home, one driveway at a time.
Five years later, that grit hasn't gone anywhere. Every install is a household with a cheaper commute, a more valuable home, and cleaner air for our kids. That adds up! And I got to prove also, that a busy mom with a baby on her hip can absolutely run a unique business, thank you very much.
So, What Exactly Do We Do? So Glad You Asked! (Beyond "The Charger Lady")
People assume I just bolt a box to a wall. Respectfully, I do so much more than that, let me outline the details below:
Residential installs - the bread and butter. Single family homes, garages, driveways, the whole deal.
Multi-unit residential buildings (MURBs) - condos and apartment buildings that want to offer charging without an electrical nightmare.
Government and commercial projects - bigger scale, same obsessive attention to detail.
Consulting - not sure what you need yet? I'll review your panel, your parking spot, and your budget before you spend a dime.
If you’re still with me, this blog is for the homeowners, because that's where the magic, and the ROI — really lives.
Why Your Home Wants an EV Charger (Even If You Don't Own an EV Yet)
Think of a Level 2 charger the same way you'd think of one of Markie’s great kitchen renos: it's an upgrade people notice, and it's an upgrade people will pay for.
Home value — EV charging is quickly becoming a line-item buyers scan for, the same way they scan for updated electrical panels. It signals a move-in-ready, future-proof home.
Convenience — no more white-knuckling it to a public charger with a toddler screaming in the backseat. You plug in at 9pm in your slippers and unplug to a full charge with your coffee.
Confidence — waking up every single morning to a "full tank" you never had to think about is a genuinely underrated peace of mind.
Cost savings — let's be honest, the gas station was never really "convenient," it was just familiar. Sure, you needed a pack of gum anyway, but you were also standing outside in the wind, watching a number climb way faster than it should, for a fill-up you'll do again in a week. Charging at home, overnight, on off-peak rates is dramatically cheaper than gas (I pay $30/month to power my full-size EV truck), and cheaper still than public fast-charging. Your wallet will notice within a month, and you’ll never have to regret saying “I’ll just stop for gas on my way to work tomorrow” again!
The planet — fewer tailpipes, less local air pollution, and a real, measurable dent in your household's carbon footprint. This one's for the kids. For the dog who deserves clean air on their walks. It's a small daily choice with a genuinely big ripple effect.
And here's the part nobody tells you: it's easy.
This isn't a renovation that eats your summer. A residential install is typically a one-day job, done by people (hi, it's me) who actually care whether it's done properly.
A Few of My Favourite Things
Because you didn't ask, but you're getting it anyway:
EVs I'd happily recommend to a friend:
Photo by Mike Wilkins
Chevrolet Silverado EV: the beloved pickup truck. Built for real work and powering job sites, not just commuting.
Chevrolet Equinox EV: a real, practical family SUV that finally makes everyday electrification accessible.
Ford Mach-E: if you want a little more attitude with your commute.
Anything from Hyundai's IONIQ lineup: genuinely excellent value and range.
And for a PHEV (Plug-In Hybrid) option, Windsor’s own ChryslerPacifica Hybrid: the classic family van used for soccer tournaments and hauling that new playhouse.
Charging hardware I trust in my own installs:
EVduty (Elmec):Quebec-made, rock-solid reliability, with ultra-flexible cables that don't go stiff in frozen conditions.
Grizzl-E (United Chargers): proudly Canadian-made, built like a tank, priced fairly
Hypercharge: Reliable, smart, and scale-ready. A go-to for seamless commercial, workplace, and multi-unit residential setups.
One last note: There are often rebates and incentives available for EVs and chargers, so be sure to do your research or reach out to me to see what’s available. Currently, you can save up to $5,000 with the Federal Electric Vehicle Affordability Program (EVAP) Rebate on select vehicles priced at $50,000 or less.
If you’re serious about EVs, this is what Actually Happens on Install Day (Spoiler: It's Not Scary)
I think people picture a full home renovation. It's really not that. Here's the play-by-play:
The Chat - We talk about your vehicle, your driving habits, and where you actually want to plug in. Garage? Driveway? Beside the good bushes you just planted? Noted.
The Assessment - I look at your electrical panel to see what it can handle. This is the step that determines everything else, and it's usually a lot less dramatic than people expect.
The Quote - Clear, honest, no surprise line items. You'll know the cost before anyone touches a tool.
The Permit - Yes, this is a real electrical job and it gets done properly, permits and all. This protects you, your home insurance, and your resale value.
Install Day - Typically one day. We run the line, mount the charger, and make sure everything is code-compliant and clean (as in, actually tidy, not just "technically finished").
The Walk-through - I will show you exactly how to use it, how to schedule off-peak charging, and answer every question, including the ones you feel silly asking.
That's it. No sledgehammers, no weeks of dust sheets and house guests, no living out of a hotel.
While we’re here, let's Bust a Few Myths, Shall We?
"I need a whole panel upgrade to charge an EV at home." Sometimes, sure. But way less often than people assume. Plenty of homes can handle a Level 2 charger with their existing panel. That's exactly why the assessment step exists, so you're not paying for work you don't need.
"Charging at home is slow and annoying." You're asleep for most of it. It's the least annoying charging you'll ever do, because it's not a task, it's a background process. It’s as easy as charging your phone at night (you can even control the charger from your phone).
"The public charging network is good enough, I don't need one at home." Public chargers are a great backup, terrible daily habit. Waiting in line, paying premium rates, hoping the charger actually works versus plugging in at your own house for pennies overnight. There's no comparison.
"It'll mess with my home's electrical system." A properly permitted, professionally installed charger is designed to work safely with your home's electrical system, not against it. This is precisely why you hire someone who does this for a living instead of your cousin who's "pretty handy."
The Bigger Picture
This isn't really a car conversation. It's a "what kind of world are we leaving behind" conversation. Every driveway with a charger in it is a household that decided the future was worth investing in. Everyone deserves to breathe clean air and live their life to the fullest in good health.
You don't have to overhaul your life to be part of that. You just have to make one really good decision about your garage wall.
Photo by Mike Wilkins
If you're even a little bit curious about what a charger install would look like at your place, come say hi on Instagram @taureanev I answer my own DMs (promise), or shoot me an email: info@taureanev.com.
This year marks 5 years in business for us, and I’d love to help make it a big year for your home, too.
Happy charging!
Nicole.
Okay… so my next vehicle purchase may be an EV… just saying!
I’ve learned so much from Nicole and I hope you did too, so BIG thanks to Nicole for writing and educating us all a bit more on the power we all have to be more sustainable in our own lives.
Kudos to you for taking the big leap into business all while being a mom (probably one of the best moms too).
Make sure you join us next month for our next blog… it’s a surprise topic so stay tuned and enjoy the rest of your Summer!
Cheers,
Markie.