When moving to an electric vehicle (EV) there are several things to consider. Price, range, does it fit my needs and lifestyle? But the considerations continue, how will I charge it? The boom in the EV charging infrastructure has meant more and more people have access to charging points. However, most of the fast charging and smart charging points are only available in public places. Those who have charging points at home are able to pick the charger that best suits their needs. So, what do you need to think about when installing a home charging point?
Where will your charger be?
Depending on where you would like your charger installed, will have a big impact on the cost of installation. Running or laying cable from your house to the end of a garden or driveway, will cost much more than a charger that can be installed close to your consumer unit on the side of your premises. The positioning of the charger is very important and is one of the first considerations given by EV charger installers.
How quickly do you want your car to charge?
How quickly you want or need your car to charge will dictate the type of charger you will need. Some wall chargers and smaller charging points can be easily installed; however, these are generally low amperage, and as such it can take up to 12 hours to fully charge a depleted cars battery. More powerful charging points can charge your battery in as little as 30 minutes, this is entirely dependent however on your car’s battery capacity. Car manufacturers are continually researching and developing car batteries that can facilitate a fast or rapid charge.
Do you want to make the most of a Government grant?
The Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS) is a voucher based grant providing support towards the up-front cost of purchasing and installing EV charging points. On-Street Residential Chargepoint Scheme (ORCS) gives grant funding to local authorities towards the cost of installing on-street charge points. To be eligible for any of the above grants you will need to use an OLEV approved installer. To find a full list you can click here, or simply fill out the form below and one of our team will be happy to help.
How much does it cost?
This can vary greatly due to the electricity tariff and supplier you use, but it can cost in the region of £8.40 for a full charge. Charging at home is the most cost-effective way of keeping your electric vehicle fully charged, and is by far the most convenient.
If you have any questions about EV charging or want to know how much it would cost to install an EV charger at your home or business, please get in touch below.