The ability to charge up at home can transform the whole electric vehicle ownership experience. Not only does it mean that you can have a fully-charged car each morning, but it also allows you to access low-cost electricity through EV-focused energy tariffs. Here at Prestige Cars Kent, we’ve got many electric vehicles to choose from, so take a look at our current range today.
But are you wondering how to install an EV charger? There are some things to bear in mind before you start. In this article, we’ll explore all the things you need to know about installing an EV charger for your home.
Do you have off-road parking?
One of the first things you need to think about is whether you have off-road parking. This is a key starting point, as you’ll need an area off-street in order to access a charger. For instance, if you have a driveway which leads up to the side of your home, then you’ll be able to get your car close enough to plug it in. There are solutions for those without off-street parking, but you may need to consult with the local council if you’re considering installing a charger, which could impact those walking on the pavement.
Likewise, if you’re a homeowner, then the installation process is more straightforward. If you’re renting, however, then you’ll need to speak to your landlord to make sure that they agree to you installing a charger on their property.
What type of charger do you want?
You might have noticed that we’ve got electric vehicles here at Prestige Cars Kent, and the number of home chargers to choose from is just as broad. The two primary ways of splitting them are between tethered and untethered units. The former has the charging cable attached - you can’t disconnect it - and looks a little like a hose reel with the main charging unit at the top. The benefit of these units is that you don’t need to worry about plugging in and unplugging each time you need to charge, though the downside is that they’re a little bulkier, so they take up more room on the side of your home.
Untethered units, meanwhile, are simply the charging box to which you then plug in the cable that has been supplied with your electric vehicle. You’ll need to disconnect it each time you’re done charging, but these units are much smaller and are less noticeable, so they’re great if you’ve got a smaller home or are more restricted on space.
Two other areas to consider are how to connect with the charger. Nearly all of the chargers on sale today are ‘smart’, which means that they’re able to ‘talk’ with both your car and the home energy supplier to intelligently charge at periods of lower cost. To do this, they need to connect to the internet. Some use wi-fi, while others have an in-built SIM card, much like your phone. If your charger is set to be installed far away from where your home router is, or if the walls of your home are thick, then a SIM card-based unit could be best. However, for many people, a Wi-Fi-enabled unit is best and the easiest to set up.
What charging speed would you like?
Most charging units that you’ll find on sale in the UK will provide 7kW of electric power. This is a higher rate than you’d get from a three-pin plug - these provide around 2.3kw - and should be enough to fully charge an average electric vehicle overnight. Plus, because these charging units are designed from the ground up to deal with higher voltages, they are far safer to use than a conventional three-pin plug charger.
However, if you’ve got the need for speed, then there are higher-powered options out there, too. The maximum that you’ll be able to get from a home charger is 22kW. With this, you could fully charge a car in under five hours, so it’s great if you’re someone who needs to top up in a hurry. However, these higher-powered units are more expensive; you’ll need to upgrade your home electricity to a three-phase supply, and you’ll need to check that the EV you’re looking to purchase can accept a 22kW supply - most can only accept 11kW via a home charger.
Does your home electricity supply need upgrading?
Newer homes shouldn’t need too much upgrading if you’re looking to install a charger. Of course, a qualified electrician will be able to advise you on what needs changing, and they’ll need to perform the whole installation, too, since the unit itself is dealing with high-voltage electricity. Remember, power will need to be sent to the charger from your home’s main supply, so being too far away from the consumer unit could prove an issue - most installers provide a certain length of cabling as part of the installation cost, but if it exceeds this then you may need to pay extra.
Older properties present a different challenge. You’ll need to make sure that your supply can handle the high-voltage power used by an EV charger for home, but an electrician will be able to test this. It might be that your home’s energy supply will need to be upgraded before you can put a charger in - so consult with a specialist about this so you’re happy about any extra costs.
Finding an energy supplier with an EV-friendly tariff
Once you’re installed, it’s a good idea to make sure that you’re on an EV-specific energy tariff. Most of the popular options on the market today will offer a lower rate of energy cost at off-peak times; for instance, during the night, you might be able to charge for around 7p/kW, some way under the usual average of around 25p/kW. This will dramatically reduce your overall EV charger installation cost.
Most of these suppliers will set up a ‘smart’ system, which will allow your charger to ‘talk’ and work out when those lower rates of charge are happening. This will allow the charger to intelligently start and stop the charge depending on when it’s cheapest. If you have any further questions on how to install an EV charger, get in touch with our team at Prestige Cars Kent.