Today there are more than 42,000 EV charging connections across the UK. There is a strong consensus that infrastructure will need to play a critical role in providing high-speed services for electric cars. You may have come across some providers like the pod point network for charging electric vehicles. The Government has recently announced its conviction that new funding rules will be put in place to support the development of charging points.
The Government has certainly taken steps to promote the adoption of electric vehicles, but it is yet to be seen whether they will take appropriate action to ensure that a sufficient number of charging points are installed across the UK.
The good news is that there are EV chargers that can be used in your business and at home. It’s important that you get professional advice on how to install them correctly.
What Are EV Chargers?
EV stands for an electric vehicle. An EV charging unit is typically a three-phase, 32 amp supply that provides 43 amps at 240 volts AC (Alternating Current) – seven kW of power to the car battery pack in the car. These chargers come with different types of plugs, depending on where you are in the world.
UK EV drivers will need the standard three-pin plug to attach the charger directly into a wall socket. Drivers in other countries will need to purchase an adaptor for their own plug type.
It is necessary to fully charge a car’s battery pack using an EV charging point before it can be driven anywhere. The more kilometres that are driven on a single charge, the faster the car is charged. This means that it could take several hours to fully charge an electric vehicle’s battery pack.
Who Needs an Electric Vehicle?
If you want to reduce your carbon footprint and help the environment, buying an electric vehicle is a great way to do it. The UK Government has set out that in order for people to live more sustainable lives, they must adopt cleaner methods of travel which include driving electric plug-in cars rather than gas-guzzling cars.
The Government’s Green Transport plan revealed that they want to see more than electric vehicles on UK roads. Not only does this plan promote fewer emissions but it also encourages businesses to invest in green technology which will improve the environment for future generations.
What Are The Benefits Of Electric Vehicles?
Electric vehicles provide a number of benefits over conventional combustion engine cars. Firstly, they are far cheaper to refuel than petrol or diesel cars. EVs usually charge for around four pence per mile, whereas the average UK driver spends fourteen pence per mile on petrol. This means that the costs for vehicle owners are significantly reduced.
Drivers can also rely on electric vehicles to save them money because they will be exempt from Vehicle Excise Duty (VED), which is a road tax that drivers pay when they choose to drive their cars on UK roads. This is one of the most expensive road taxes in the world.
EVs are also designed with safety in mind, which means that they can save lives. The Government’s Green Transport Plan suggests that there are around 2,000 deaths every year because of pollution levels and poor air quality.
OZEV Grant for EV Charging UK
In a bid to encourage the uptake of electric vehicle (EV) charging in the UK, a new grant scheme has been introduced that will offer a 75% rebate for installing a home or public charging station, which you can claim. The Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OZEV) has partnered with Chargemaster to promote the OZEV Grant scheme.
The OZEV is made possible through the government’s Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV), part of the Department for Transport (DfT).
The grant is open to businesses, households and local authorities in England, Scotland and Wales. To qualify for the OZEV Grant retailers or installers must apply to Chargemaster who will act as administrator on behalf of the OZEV.
What are the different types of charging an Electric Car?
When looking for EV chargers, there are so many options out there. With the advancement of technology, people are looking for smart chargers for home and office use. The single-phase chargers seem to be
EV chargers come in three main types:
AC – AC charging, is the type of charger you will get from a public charging point. The car will always charge at a constant speed and it is typically 3 kW.
DC-DC Charging charges twice as fast as AC charging and can deliver up to 50 kW of power to your car. This type of charging point is typically used at your home or workplace, and you will need a charger with an SAE Combo 1 connector.
CCS – CCS charging, enables DC charging to take place and can deliver up to 100 kW of power directly into the batteries, which enables it to charge four times faster than AC. This type of charging point is typically used for destination chargers and can be installed at your home or workplace.
CCS charging points are ideal for all types of electric vehicles, which means that you won’t need to worry about compatibility issues. They deliver up to 100 kW of power and operate at a high voltage.
EV Charges For Home Use
EV chargers for homes are typically installed in garages or outside of your home. The charger will come with the necessary equipment to install it, which includes a plug and an in-cable wiring kit. It’s important to make sure that you are aware of the legal requirements when installing your electric vehicle charging point. The electric vehicle homecharge scheme has been promoting the use of electric cars.
These EV home chargers offer the convenience to charge your electric vehicle overnight, so it’s always fully charged by morning. Often EV home chargers have a timer setting which you can use to set the exact time that your car needs to be ready for a journey.
EV Chargers for Businesses
Businesses with a large number of electric vehicles on their premises need to find a solution to charge them as quickly as possible. A business may have a number of destination chargers installed, which provide a direct connection from the power supply at the site to your vehicle.
Destination charging is faster than most public charging points because it provides up to 100 kW of power. However, if you’re looking for a public charging point then there are also options available that can be installed at your workplace or business premises so that employees and customers can use it.
Best EV Chargers in the UK: 2022 Buyer Guide
Project EV – The Next Generation Electric Vehicle Charging Station
Project EV is a charging station that has been designed with the modern electric vehicle in mind. It can be used to charge any make or model of electric car and is compatible with all charging standards, including Tesla’s proprietary Supercharger system.
The Project EV charging station is made from aluminium and features a built-in 240V AC charger, which means that it can be plugged into any standard wall socket. It also has a 10A circuit breaker, so you don’t need to worry about overloading your electrical system.
The charging station is easy to use and comes with an LCD display that shows you the current charging status. It’s also WiFi-enabled, so you can control it remotely from your smartphone or tablet.
The Project EV charging station is the perfect choice for anyone who wants a reliable and easy-to-use charging station that is compatible with all types of electric vehicles.
Rolec EV Charger – A Smart, Compact Charging Station
The Rolec EV charger is a smart, compact charging station that is perfect for use in domestic settings. It can be used to charge any make or model of electric car and comes with a built-in 10A circuit breaker, which means that it can be plugged into any standard wall socket.
The Rolec EV charger is easy to use and comes with an LCD display that shows you the current charging status. It’s also WiFi-enabled, so you can control it remotely from your smartphone or tablet.
The Rolec EV charger is the perfect choice for anyone who wants a reliable and easy-to-use charging station that is compatible with all types of electric vehicles.
Myenergi – Zappi In-Cable 50kW Charging Station
The Zappi In-Cable charging station is a high power electric vehicle charging station for homes and businesses. It’s available as a single unit, but it can also be purchased in quantity to create multiples of this amazing system for your home or business.
The Zappi in-cable charging station delivers up to 50 kW of power, which is enough to charge your electric vehicle in just 25 minutes. It comes with a NEMA 6-50P plug for easy home installation.
ChargePoint Home Electric Vehicle Charger (240VAC 32Amp)
The ChargePoint Home Electric Vehicle Charger is compatible with all-electric vehicles, so you won’t have to worry about compatibility issues. It delivers up to 25 kW of power, which means that it’s four times faster than standard home chargers.
The charging station has a charging cable wiring kit included for easy installation and comes complete with a NEMA 14-50 plug. It has a range of accessories that are available to purchase separately, including cable kits and weatherproof covers for outdoor use.
OHME Type 1 Electric Vehicle Home Charger
The OHME Type 1 electric vehicle charging station is compatible with all-electric vehicles in the UK. It delivers up to 32 amps at 16 kW of power, making it well suited for homes and offices.
The charging station has an in-cable wiring kit included for easy installation and comes complete with a NEMA 5-20R plug. It’s made from polyamide and comes with a variety of accessories, including a wall mount holster and an in-cable wiring kit.
