ALL YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT INSTALLING AN EV HOME CHARGER

There is a greater need than ever for EV charging stations as their popularity continues to soar. Even while the infrastructure for charging electric vehicles in public places is expanding rather quickly, many EV owners opt to plug their cars in at home because it’s more convenient and frequently less expensive.

You may still connect an EV automobile to a regular three-pin socket. However, many EV manufacturers only advise doing so as a last resort. Besides, it would take an unimaginable 42 hours to charge most EVs using a regular socket. Installing a dedicated electric car charger, also known as a wall box, at home is a popular alternative for EV owners.

However, selecting the ideal one can be tricky. Here is the ultimate guide on everything you need to know about installing an EV home charger.

What kind of device is an EV home charger?

Home chargers are often modest boxes attached to the side of a wall, house, or garage rather than the large, intrusive installations you find in grocery and service station parking lots. While some are particularly covert, other manufacturers provide more ’boutique’ chargers that are customizable.

Many EV owners qualify for the “standard installation,” which includes fitting the charger to a permanent structure, running up to 15 meters of cable from the electric board/meter to the home charger, and running half a meter of cable through the main wall. You can get more assistance from a charger installation.

You have to choose a convenient location.

Some chargers can be mounted outdoors, while others can only be mounted indoors. You will need to acquire a charger made for inside use if you don’t have a garage or other enclosed space. Make sure the model you choose has a cable long enough to extend to the charge port on your electric vehicle (EV). Note that you may have challenges if your charger is from the charge port on the other side of the garage.

Although it may seem easy, there is no purpose in even considering installing an EV charger at home if one does not have access to a parking area. Renters must also speak with their landlord to see if a socket may be installed in their apartment.

Your electrical infrastructure

When you’ve chosen a location for your EV charger, check to be sure your home’s electrical circuits can handle it. Most Level 2 chargers (the kind that is frequently used in home and small business upgrades) need 240 volts, as opposed to the usual 110 volts. Additionally, these chargers consume much more current than the typical home appliance.

Chargers are getting stronger as EV batteries grow in size. Newer/faster chargers have a maximum amp draw of 80 amps, whereas other chargers only draw up to 48 amps. On the other hand, typical home appliances like a vacuum cleaners only consume 12amps. Therefore you will need stronger circuit breakers to safeguard your existing circuits from this much pull.

It is best to leave this intricate circuitry and potentially hazardous voltage level to trained professionals. A licensed electrician can set up your electrical service and ensure you adhere to all local laws for safety and proper operation.

How fast do you want your EV to charge?

How rapidly you want your vehicle to charge is usually the key consideration when searching for an EV charger HK. The most common power outputs are between 3.6kW and 7.4kW, with a maximum of 11kW and 22kW. It’s crucial to note that this is an alternating current (AC) charge rather than the faster DC charge that rapid chargers use. The latter is the headline charge time that manufacturers typically prefer to boast about.

Although a 22kW charger will charge an EV much more quickly, not all EVs can handle that kind of charge, and the typical home is unlikely to have the infrastructure to support that amount of charging.

Take the Audi e-Tron as an example; a 3.6kW charger would require 26 hours to complete the charge, whereas a 7kW charger would require 14 hours. At 22kW, it would finish in nine hours, which would be quicker.

Regular vs. smart EV charger

Standard and more sophisticated “smart” chargers are the two different EV chargers available. With the latter, you can perform more complex tasks like scheduling time changes to take advantage of lower electricity prices and monitoring the charge. Although it costs a little more, the latter alternative is more desirable. Also, only “smart” chargers are eligible for a government electric car charger grant.

Tethered or not.

When investing in an EV charger, you have to pick between a tethered and an untethered charger—that is, whether you want the wire to be permanently connected to the electric charger or whether you prefer to constantly plug in your cable. Thankfully, it is one of the simpler choices a consumer may make. Although it depends on your preference, the former is more convenient but costs more.

How much does a home EV charger cost?

The pricing varies between vendors and is based on the charging speed of the specific charger. Luckily, the government is still trying to promote the use of electric vehicles; therefore, it offers customers an electric car charger grant, which provides up to 75% of the cost of installing a private EV charger. Most electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles are eligible for the grant, and each car is limited to one charge point.

When purchasing an EV home charger, you also need to make sure the charger is “smart” and qualifies for the grant (if that’s what you want). Although the installation cost is typically included in the grant, this isn’t always the case. A typical tethered 7kW home charger (the most popular option) will cost between $500 and $650, including the cost of installation and the grant subtracted.

The conclusion

Installing an EV home charger is not as simple as plugging in your vacuum cleaner, and it requires a state-of-the-art electrical interface. Therefore you must make all the due evaluations when installing one in your home.