If you are thinking of buying an electric car, firstly; good on you for doing your bit to help reduce your climate footprint. But secondly, it’s imperative you think about where you’re going to charge it. The electric car needs to be regularly charged using a cable, which will ensure that the batteries have enough power to deliver the driving capacity needed to get you from A to B.
If you have a garage or some off-street parking, then the obvious choice would be to charge your electric vehicle at home. Indeed, the majority of the electric car owners use an EV home charger to charge their cars. Although the public charging network is on the rise, we’re still perhaps a couple of years off it meeting demand.
For electric car owners, then, a wall box charger is the best option as it will charge the car much quicker than a regular three-pin plug. Here’s our IDEAL guide on how to chose a home EV charger.
WHAT IS A HOME WALL BOX CHARGER?
A dedicated home wall box charger is a unit that is installed in the garage or in the area where your car is parked. It is connected to the home’s main electricity, and most of these devices will charge your car at a much faster pace than the normal three-pin plugs, the latter of which is limited to 3kW, compared to a wall box charger’s 7kW.
There are also other benefits of choosing a home wall box charger; not having to use an extension cord that may be unsafe, and the ability to control charging remotely via an app.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF HOME WALL BOX CHARGERS
There are many companies in the market today that offer home wall box chargers. However, before choosing one, you need to consider a range of factors like price, ease of installation, cable type, and compatibility with your home.
As per the European Commission directives, all-electric cars have Type 2 plugs and cables, and you can choose between a tethered and an untethered wall box. A tethered device means that a charging cable is attached to the wall box, and it plugs straight into the car. An untethered plug box comes with a standard plug into which you have to connect your cable; a little more complicated, perhaps.
WIRING REGULATIONS
To ensure the safe and compliant installation of your home EV charger, it is crucial to adhere to the wiring regulations specific to electric vehicle charging. These regulations outline the necessary wiring standards and requirements for the installation process, ensuring the proper functioning and safety of the charging system. By following the wiring regs for electric vehicle charging, you can have peace of mind knowing that your charging setup meets the necessary standards and minimises potential risks. It is recommended to consult with a qualified electrician who is knowledgeable about these regulations to ensure a smooth and compliant installation.
CHARGING SPEEDS
The basic home chargers start at 3kW (the maximum of a three pin plug’s output, remember), and more advanced units deliver 7kW of power. Recent additions to the market (and with a cost to match) are able to provide as much as 22 kW, and generally speaking, the charger’s price goes up as you move up the power bands. A 3.7kW wall box will fully charge a standard Nissan Leaf (considered the best value EV on the market) in 13 hours and to cover a distance of between 150 and 200 miles, roughly.
CHOOSING THE BEST EV CHARGER
In terms of choosing the best EV charger manufacturer, Pod Point has been around for a decade, and has sold tens of thousands of charging points across the UK. It can connect to Wi-Fi and offers smartphone connectivity, and is, therefore, a viable choice for modern times. You can find the location of their charging points via Zap Map.
Exploring the market further, EO Chargers has sold more than 10,000 chargers in over 30 countries across the world and has options for both tethered and untethered connections. The EO Mini is the smallest fast charger on the market now.
Rolec EV makes a wide range of home chargers across various price ranges. Their main product is the WallPod: EV HomeSmart, and is the cheapest home charger available in the market today.
Be aware that all of these models require a slightly divergent installation process and it’s wise to consult with an expert prior to purchase to determine its suitability for your unique domestic situation. Good luck!