Empowering Your Electric Journey: Choosing the Right EV Charger
Electric vehicles (EVs) have become a popular choice for the environmentally conscious consumer. If you’ve decided to join the electric revolution, one crucial decision is selecting the right home EV charger. Exploring the various types and learning more about key features will help you choose the best charger for your needs. Let’s take a look at six options available to you.
Do You Need a Level 1 or Level 2 Charger?
EV chargers are offered as Level 1, 2 and 3. Most commonly in the UK, Level 2 chargers are used. That said, some older electric vehicles still in use, such as the Nissan Leaf 1st Gen, require a Level 1 charger, so checking your car’s requirements is important. As for Level 3, these are super rapid chargers that require higher DC voltage and are usually found in commercial settings.
Different Charging Power and Speed
Charging speed is a vital consideration. It refers to how quickly an EV charger can replenish your vehicle’s battery, usually measured in kilowatts (kW). Higher power ratings result in faster charging times, and home chargers are offered from 3kW to 22kW. Most domestic homes only have a single-phase power supply, which means the fastest charger you can have installed is a 7kW unit. If, by chance, you have a three-phase system, you could have a more powerful 22kW charger.
The majority of available home chargers are 7kW providing approximately 25 miles of range per hour. It will take around 7 – 9 hours to top up an electric car completely. This charging speed is fast enough for overnight charging – you will wake up to a full battery.
Choosing between Tethered and Untethered
Charging speed is a vital consideration. It refers to how quickly an EV charger can replenish your vehicle’s battery, usually measured in kilowatts (kW). Higher power ratings result in faster charging times, and home chargers are offered from 3kW to 22kW. Most domestic homes only have a single-phase power supply, which means the fastest charger you can have installed is a 7kW unit. If, by chance, you have a three-phase system, you could have a more powerful 22kW charger.
The majority of available home chargers are 7kW providing approximately 25 miles of range per hour. It will take around 7 – 9 hours to top up an electric car completely. This charging speed is fast enough for overnight charging – you will wake up to a full battery.
Understanding Smart Charging Features
A Smart EV charger offers enhanced features such as charging scheduling and energy usage tracking. Smart chargers allow you to monitor and control the charging process remotely through mobile apps. You can use your smartphone or tablet to access everything you need from the comfort of your living room.
Smart chargers connect to your internet and can use intelligent charging strategies to optimise cost and efficiency while supporting the electrical grid. Utilising data from your car and from the grid, they marry the two sets of information together to ensure optimum charging efficiency. The charger will use this data to determine the best time to charge your vehicle and can help save money by making use of cheaper tariffs.
Solar Compatible
Some EV chargers have been designed with solar charging in mind. If you have solar panels or are considering installing them in the near future, this feature is essential. Solar-compatible chargers can monitor your solar generation and the energy coming from the grid and will start charging your EV at the point it detects there is surplus solar. This means that you can charge your car using free energy from the sun.
Compatibility and Connector Types
EV chargers are not universally compatible, and some differences must be noted. Your vehicle’s make, model, and specification will dictate the suitable type of EV charger. Some vehicles may require specific adapters or connectors, and some advanced chargers might not be fully compatible with older EV models.
Ensure that the charger you choose is compatible with your EV model. While most EVs use the standard SAE J1772 connector for level 2 charging, some models, like Tesla, may require an adapter.
Final Thoughts on Choosing Your EV Charger
Selecting the right home EV charger is crucial when embracing an electric lifestyle. You can make an informed decision by considering factors like charging power, smart features, and compatibility. Investing in a reliable and efficient charger will give you the convenience of powering your electric vehicle at home.
There’s a lot of information to take in, but if you’re still unsure about the right EV charger, ask a qualified installer’s advice. An experienced professional will happily offer guidance to ensure you purchase the right EV charger for your needs. Get in touch with the team at RMD Electricals & Renewables – we have the knowledge to help.
