Is It Worth Installing A Home EV Charger?
If you are looking to purchase an EV, you may be wondering whether you can just charge it at public charge points or whether it’s worth installing a home EV charger.
In this guide, we will discuss whether there is enough infrastructure to charge your vehicle constantly on the roads or whether you should opt for a home charging point.
What Is A Home Charging Point?
Simply put, a home charging unit allows you to charge your EV from the comfort of your own home and not rely on public charging at locations such as supermarkets, shopping centres and car parks.
There are two ways in which you can achieve this, through a standard 3-pin plug which uses a slow charger and takes the power from your domestic supply. Or you can install a wall charging point to your garage or the side of your house and this is connected directly to your domestic electricity supply.
Advantages of Having a Home Charger Installed
Convenience
The convenience of having a charger installed at home is not overstated. You no longer have to worry about getting to a public charging point on time before your battery runs out. You can simply schedule chargers at certain points of the day or overnight and know that when you head out, your EV has been topped up.
They can also be quicker than some public charging units meaning you won’t have to wait for ages. You could charge your EV for a couple of hours and it may have increased by 40%, it all depends on the number of volts you are using.
Saves You Money
By having a home charger, you get access to cheaper tariffs. This is achieved by charging at off-peak hours when fewer people are using the Grid. This could be that you leave your vehicle to charge overnight for a few hours, this will cost considerably less than charging in the middle of the day.
There are also schemes where you can rent your EV charger to people and it is a good way to earn a little bit more money each month.
Could Increase Your Home’s Value
By having a home charger, you get access to cheaper tariffs. This is achieved by charging at off-peak hours when fewer people are using the Grid. This could be that you leave your vehicle to charge overnight for a few hours, this will cost considerably less than charging in the middle of the day.
There are also schemes where you can rent your EV charger to people and it is a good way to earn a little bit more money each month.
Use Complete Green Energy
Certain brands out there allow you to use completely green energy without using the Grid. For example, the Zappi charger is compatible with wind and solar energy, meaning you can charge your car on surplus green energy.
Not only does this save you a lot of money in the long run, but you are helping to save the planet at the same time, its a win-win for all involved.
Disadvantages
Installation Cost
Having an EV charger installed is not a cheap option upfront, you can often buy the charger and have it installed together at one price. Depending on the brand and company you use to install it, prices can vary from £750-£1500 usually.
This is a lot of money in one go, but you will certainly reap the rewards over the long term when you no longer have to pay petrol and diesel prices.
Longer Charge Times
Public charging can be a hassle as the infrastructure is not as advanced as it should be, but they are excellent for rapid charging. You can spend 20 minutes charging your EV and you will have charged considerably more than a home EV charger.
Home unit’s tend to charge at 7kW and take a few hours, which is why the majority of people leave their EV to charge overnight.
Conclusion
As you can see from this guide, there are a number of benefits to owning a charger at home. From convenience to cost savings, if you own an EV, it’s certainly worth investing in one for the long run. Otherwise, you will have to constantly rely on public charging points, which could be a considerable distance from your house and cost much more than some of the energy tariffs you can get at home.
See all of our other articles regarding EV’s and the answers to some of the most popular questions in the industry.
