More people than ever are switching to electric vehicles (EVs) because they are cheaper to run and kinder to the environment. If you are making the switch, you may be considering installing a home charge point, but are unsure where to start. Here we look at what to consider when choosing an EV charge point for your property.
Should I buy a tethered or untethered charge point?
There are few things to consider when choosing between a tethered and
untethered charge point. Firstly, a tethered charger comes with an attached
cable, while an untethered unit does not.
Opting for a tethered system means you don’t have to carry the EV cable in the
boot of your car. It is also worth taking future developments in mind, because if
the technology evolves beyond type 1 and 2 sockets, you could be left with one
installed in your home. You can find out more about type 1 and type 2 chargers
here.
While you’ll have to buy your own cable, an untethered cable generally looks
more tidy. The manufacturer will usually provide one with the car, but if it is lost
or damaged it can cost around £100 to replace. Untethered units provide more
flexibility, which will be particularly helpful if buy a new EW that needs a different
plug.
Where to install the charge point
Some things to consider regarding the installation point include:
Where is the charging port on your EV? This will influence the positioning
of the charge point.
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- Where is the charging port on your EV? This will influence the positioning
of the charge point.
- Do you want the charge point to be on view or hidden out of sight?
- How long does the charging cable need to be?
- Will the charger be able to connect with the Wi-Fi signal being generated from inside your home?
You can save some money on the installation costs by applying for a government
grant. Find out more about the OLEV grant here.
What is the best speed for a home charge point?
For smaller electric vehicles (with batteries around the size of 40kWh) a charging
rate of 3.6kW will usually take around 8-9 hours, which is suited to overnight
charging.
A 7kW home charger delivers about 30 miles of range every hour and is roughly
twice as fast as a domestic electricity socket. So no matter the size of your EV
battery, you can use this to charge at any time.
The fastest option is a 22kW home charger, although you will need a three-phase
electricity supply, which is quite rare in the UK. [{{type}} Annotation]
The length of time you spend charging will affect your electricity costs, so you
will need to ensure you choose the right tariff. Manual comparisons are generally
the best way to get the best deal.
Thinking of installing an EV home charge point?
AAC are OLEV-approved installers of electric car chargers for home and business
owners. To find out more about our range of electric car charger services and to
organise a free survey and quote, email carchargers@aac.uk.net or call 01707 32 55 66.
