How Long Does Charging an Electric Car Take
Electric cars are becoming more popular as people become more environmentally conscious. Many people have questions about electric cars, one of which is how long […]
Electric cars are becoming more and more common on UK roads, but that does not mean that everyone has one. There are still plenty of petrolheads around who prefer to stick with traditional fuel sources.
The remote chance of running out of fuel is always preferable to having to wait for another remote charge-up (although many modern EVs take only 15-30 minutes to recharge from empty, so it’s hardly a marathon).
In this article, we provide a simple guide to the choices available for charging your vehicle at home. At the end of the article, you will be able to make an informed decision on the best EV charger to work with the energy saving trust.
Charging at home is the best way to ensure that your electric car will always be ready to go when you are. Of course, this may increase your electricity costs but will help you save up on fuel costs. Charge-ups can take place overnight, and if you use a smart charger, they can also happen when electricity prices are cheapest (so it’s essentially like getting free fuel).
Home electric car chargers often come with timers and other handy features for better energy management. You can conveniently charge your electric car at home. You can also take advantage of higher power outlets to help speed up your car’s charge-up times, so the best home chargers are usually worth the extra expense. You can make use of the dedicated off-street parking for charging your zero emission vehicles.
We tested five different models, some of which were more suitable than others for charging at home. There are very few cars that cannot be charged using the home chargers. All of the models we tested offer a good compromise between features and price, but there was one clear winner.
As mentioned, we have tried and tested a good number of electric chargers and have picked some of the best options for your home with the best auto power balancing features. There are many automotive partners that are encouraging the installation of charge points at home.
The Zappi 6kW Home Charger is an absolute best-seller on Amazon, boasting more than 1,900 five-star reviews. It’s also one of the cheapest home chargers out there. The Zappi EV chargers come with a one-year warranty and are sure to please.
You will love the fact that this model is compatible with almost every single electric car on the market. It has a maximum power output of 6kW, which can be used to charge 3-6 miles of range for every hour that it’s plugged in, depending on which EV you drive. You can also use it as a standard universal socket, even if your car isn’t plugged in.
It comes with a standard charging cable and has an LED screen to indicate the current state of charge. It is very easy to install and use and is super-efficient (which means it will cost less over time).It works on a single phase connection as well as the three-phase supply.
For those looking for the cheapest option that is still high quality, this one ticks all of those boxes.
The Ohme is a more professional-grade charging point, designed to charge two vehicles at once in a bid to save you time and energy.
This model can be used for up to 37 miles of range every hour, so should help your car’s charge-up times considerably. You can also monitor the power being transferred to your car via the LED screen on the front of the unit.
The Ohme comes with a standard charging cable and has five stars on Amazon. You can also use it as a standard three-pin plug, even if your car isn’t plugged in. The maximum power output is 8kW, so two cars full-charge within one hour (if you park them back to back).
It also comes with a two-year warranty and is quickly and easily installed. It’s much heavier than other models we tested, but this does help it to feel well-made and sturdy.
Ohme offers such amazing value for money that it’s hard not to recommend this as the best EV charger you can buy with reasonable energy usage with installs completed effortlessly.
The Pod Point is also a 6kW unit, so offers power outputs similar to the Zappi charger. It can charge 3-6 miles of range for every hour that it’s plugged in, depending on your car model. You can also use this model as a standard plug socket even if your car isn’t plugged in.
Pod Point comes with a standard charging cable and has an LED screen to indicate the current state of charge. It is easy to install and use and is super-efficient (which means it will cost less over time).
This model has four stars on Amazon, but you do get a two-year warranty with the purchase. Pod-Point also offers a complete home installation service.
We tested Pod Point app because it’s the cheapest option in the range of 6kW home chargers on Amazon, but that doesn’t mean to say that it’s not high quality. The sleek white design looks great and is fairly compact, so should fit nicely in most homes.
You can also use this model as a standard plug socket even if your car isn’t plugged in.
The EO-HUB10-Q is a very sleek and modern looking unit that can be used to charge up to 10kW, meaning that it’s much faster than all of the models we tested. It has an LED display as well as an interactive touch panel control.
You can also use the EO-HUB10-Q as a standard plug socket even if your car isn’t plugged in. This model offers a three-year warranty and is compatible with almost every electric car on the market.
We tested this unit because it’s an incredibly innovative design and looks absolutely beautiful. It’s incredibly easy to install and use, but is very expensive indeed. The EO-HUB10-Q is the perfect model for those that want an extremely reliable home charger that doesn’t compromise on style at all.
EO is one of the EV charger providers that offer a full installation service, so will come and install the unit for you. There is also an option to buy the EO-HUB10-Q with a separate wall box, which can be installed in just 30 minutes without any need for an additional electrician.
The Wallbox Pure Sine Wave Type 2 is the most expensive model we tested, but you get what you pay for. This unit is compatible with all electric cars and can provide up to 22kW of power supply (enough to charge an entire family’s worth of EVs in one go).
This Wallbox charger model comes with a three-year warranty and meets the highest levels of efficiency. You can also use this unit as a standard plug socket even if your car isn’t plugged in, but there is no LED display on the front.
In terms of design, this model is very similar to our number six pick (the Pod Point). It has a sleek and efficient design and is very compact, so will fit even in the smallest of homes.
We tested this unit because it’s the only model that comes with a three-year warranty and also meets the highest levels of efficiency. It’s compatible with almost every electric car on the market and is highly likely to work with any future models too.
The government has been offering grants and other incentives to homeowners who wish to install EV chargers in their homes. Most reports indicate that the electric vehicle homecharge scheme is about to come to an end in the first quarter of 2022.
The EVHS is a government initiative that encourages people to buy electric cars by offering money to help them install home chargers. There is absolutely no obligation or cost involved with this scheme, so there really isn’t any reason not to apply! The OZEV grant is also a similar scheme to encourage the installation of a home charging point.
Electric car home charging installation services are usually provided by the manufacturer of the equipment, but there are also companies that specialise in this service.
Individuals can have an electrician install a home charger for them, but some companies offer the installation service as well. There are both pros and cons to this method. The benefit of having someone else do it is that they are able to come round at a time that’s convenient, so you don’t have to take time off work to see them.
However, you may need to pay for a professional installation service on top of the cost of the unit itself (which can be anywhere up to £500). If you’re worried that an electrician won’t install the unit correctly then it might be advisable to do it yourself instead. There are step-by-step guides online that can help you every step of the way. Be careful so as to avoid non-standard charger installations for your zero-emissions vehicles.
The cost of getting a home charger installed will depend on how much equipment you need to buy, who installs it, and how much work is involved. It is important to check the power rating of the model you choose. Installing a home charger will save money and your energy bills will not escalate much. There are four main components that you’ll need:
The units themselves can cost anywhere up to £500 for a basic model or as much as £2,000 if you want an extremely powerful one. There are many factors to take into account, including the power output and whether or not you want one wired directly or wireless electric car charging unit connected through your wi-fi.
If you need new wiring for your home then expect to pay between £150-£500 for connecting everything up. The tethered charger will be configured to work with your three-phase connection and your fuse board. This can be an additional cost if you are planning to install a new power box or other electrical components.
The installation fee will vary depending on whether you want to do it yourself or have someone else do it for you. For instance, some EV charger providers offer installation as part of the package, whereas you can choose to install it yourself for less money.
This will make the biggest difference to the overall cost of installation. The cheapest option is known as hardwiring and involves physically connecting the unit to your fuse box. The cable length is a significant consideration for your AC charge and tethered unit. This requires new wiring and can result in a lot of extra work, so you might need to call an electrician out if it isn’t something that you want to do yourself.
There are quite a number of EV chargers that are quite advanced, offering smart charging capabilities. This means that the unit uses a minimum amount of energy when your car is not on charge or is fully charged. You can take advantage of the smartphone app to manage your charging unit and get the maximum amount of output.
It’s very important to clean the cables on an electric car charger. Dust and grime can build up over time, which could reduce the efficiency of the unit. You should clean it with unscented soap or an environmentally friendly cleaner.
It is also advisable to get a sturdy storage box for the smart chargers, so you can keep it out of sight when not in use. This will make your home look tidier, while also keeping the cables safe.
You now know how to choose a home charger and understand what factors should be taken into consideration including the electricity supply. You no longer have to use the public chargers to charge your car. The installation process is one of the most important things, so make sure you take it into account when looking at different units in your price range.
Whether or not you need smart charging capabilities will depend on your lifestyle and which car you have. Ultimately, this is a cost-effective solution. There are both pros and cons to this type of charging, so it’s important that you weigh up the advantages and disadvantages before making a final decision.
It’s also advisable to consider whether or not you need wired or wireless outputs for your charger. You should also think about where in your home you want it installed, whether hidden away out of sight or on view for all to see. The electrical supply and the grid technology also need to be considered.
Most providers are happy to provide a no-obligation quote for the single unit properties and other systems. Electric cars are in high demand and this means that more people will looking for ways to install charging bays at home.
You’ll be able to find the ideal EV charger with these considerations in mind, so have a look at some of your options and choose one that will work best for you without a cut off date. Enjoy!