What to consider when choosing a EV charger point

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.

• • 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.