Plugging in an electric vehicle (EV) and letting it charge is as simple as plugging in a cell phone. However, if you own an EV, you may require an EV charging station, a unique installation created only to use power from the main supply to charge electric vehicles. There are three places where you can charge your car: at home, at work, and in public places.
Most EV owners prefer to charge their cars at home overnight, making it the most practical and affordable option out of the three. Discover more about a home electric charger and whether it is worth it.
Why invest in an EV home charger?
For EV owners, having EV charging outlets installed in their homes makes life much easier, as most private cars are stored there overnight. Doing this prevents lengthy morning recharging sessions because the automobiles are always fully charged and prepared for usage.
The mounting of the charging point on an outside wall or garage is part of the installation process for home electric car charging points, which a qualified charging provider must do. You can also benefit from the government electric car charger grant, which offers a subsidy for the costs of installing an EV home charger.
As most cables are between 15 and 25 feet in length, the setup must be close to where the EV is parked. It may be necessary to lengthen the cables if the distance is more, which could result in extra fees. After everything is finished, the charging point is securely connected to the primary energy supply.
You must get ready for installation by making sure the charging point’s location, including the energy meter’s location and the path the cable will take, is clear and unobstructed.
Home EV charger types
You need to understand each type of charger, its features, and compatibility with your vehicle if you want to have an EV charging point in your home. There are two different types of home EV chargers: Level 1 and Level 2, with Level 2 being the faster of the two. The model of your electric car will determine the sort of charger you require.
Your electric vehicle already has a Level 1 EV charger, which doesn’t need any specific installation. You only need to plug your Level 1 charger into a regular 120-volt outlet to get started.
Level 2 chargers have the advantage of faster charging but call for a 240-volt power source. However, they need to be installed differently because a typical wall outlet only offers 120 volts, and the procedure is comparable to setting up a 240-volt electric oven or washing machine.
Your installer can help you apply for the government electric car charger grant to lower installation costs. You may be qualified for a grant of up to 75% of the cost under the government electric car charger grant.
How long does the home charging take?
Your EV battery’s capacity, state of health, and the charger’s power are a few variables that affect the hours it takes to charge it at home. The amount of time it takes to charge a battery from empty to full increases with battery size and charging output. Here are some of the typical battery size capacities, charging powers, and times to give you a better picture of the relationship:
- If you use a 3kW charging station, it will take an electric car with a 32kW battery about 9 hours to charge; if you use a 7kW charging station, it will take about 4 hours.
- When using a 3kW charging station, it will take an electric vehicle with a 40kW battery approximately 11 hours to fully charge, while a 7kW charging station will take about 4.5 hours.
- When using a 3kW charging station, it will take an electric vehicle with a 60kW battery approximately 17 hours to charge, whereas a 7kW charging station will take roughly 7 hours.
- A 100kW battery electric vehicle will take approximately 27 hours, 11.5 hours, and 4.5 hours to fully charge using a 3kW charging station, a 7kW charging point, and a 22kW charging point, respectively.
Although conceivable, it is not advisable to charge your electric car using a standard 3-pin plug; instead, it should only be stored as a backup alternative and used sparingly.
How often should you charge electric cars at home?
If you have a home EV charger, it’s likely that you won’t need to use public or commercial charging stations very often unless you’re on a long trip and need to refuel frequently. Since the charging process takes between 4 and 12 hours, depending on the type of charger, most EV owners prefer to charge their cars when they have no intention of leaving the house.
If you have cheaper nighttime energy tariffs, evening and nighttime provide sufficient charging time and lower charging prices. The number of times you would need to charge your electric car depends entirely on how often you use it, how far you drive, and how much battery power it has. Some EV owners charge their vehicles every night to ensure a full “tank” every morning, while others charge a few times a week to suit their needs.
There is disagreement about how much of the battery must be charged each time. Most EV owners try to charge their vehicles to about 80% of their capacity instead because they believe that charging them to 100% may cause the batteries to degrade more quickly. However, it shouldn’t harm the battery’s health to occasionally charge the battery in your electric car to 100% when you need to use it for longer trips.
The final take
Installing an EV home charger is worth it. If you want convenience and cost-effectiveness when recharging your EV car’s batteries at home, you may benefit greatly from having a home electric car charging station. Through the EHSS scheme, the government provides a subsidy for installing private charging stations in houses. That is in efforts to promote electric vehicles because they have zero emissions and bring significant environmental benefits.