How do you charge an electric vehicle at home?
Going Electric But Now Sure How To Home Charge? Here's Everything You Need To Know...
When you get an electric car, you are no longer reliant on fuel. After all, being liberated from the need to visit a fuel station and pay for fossil fuels not only saves the environment, but it saves you time and money; it's no wonder EV sales are going through the roof! This is, however, assuming you can charge your car at home.
In this article, we talk about how you charge your electric vehicle at home and some of the key benefits of home charging rather than using public charging points for your vehicle. But first, a word from us:
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How to charge an electric vehicle at home
There are several steps in charging your electric vehicle at home. These steps include not only charging your vehicle but preparing your home for vehicle charging. Learn more about the steps involved in charging an electric vehicle on your property below, and why each step is a key part of the process:
1. Choose your charging method
There are two different ways of charging your electric vehicle. The first option is using the slow charger provided with the vehicle. This uses a standard 3-pin plug to take power from your home's supply. This is the simpler method of charging your car, although it takes longer and often does not deliver a full charge.
The alternative is installing a wallbox. Wallbox chargers are specifically installed in a garage, and deliver faster charging times. Although there is a greater initial cost, this is easier to use and doesn't require wiring running throughout the property. For the purposes of this article, we'll choose the faster and more efficient wallbox option.
"Whilst cutting down on prices is a key part of running an electrical vehicle, finding the right balance between cost savings and safety in your property means that you have complete peace of mind as you charge your car overnight."
2. Find a wallbox installation team
The next step is finding a wallbox installation team. Using electrical experts for the installation of your wallbox is essential, as these systems use a significant amount of power at a high voltage. Installing a wallbox safely and securely is essential, as the alternative is a dangerous piece of equipment in the house that can harm both you and your car.
When researching find a balance between reducing costs and selecting quality. Experienced electrical teams mean that you don't need to replace your wallbox, as you can trust the quality of installation. Whilst cutting down on prices is a key part of running an electrical vehicle, finding the right balance between cost savings and safety in your property means that you have complete peace of mind as you charge your car overnight.
3. Complete the installation
Once you have a wallbox team picked out, book an installation. Being in and around the house on the day of installation is key, as the electricians may need access to different parts of the house in order to wire the wallbox in. Make sure that you book the installation on a day that works for you, so you'll always be available to the installation team if they need your help with anything around the house.
If you are present throughout the installation process, asking questions is always a good idea. Whether this is more technical information about the task an electrician is completing or even basic information about the wallbox, professionals don't mind answering questions. This helps you to get a better understanding of your new piece of equipment and means that you have a better chance of using your new wallbox in the most effective way possible.
4. Start charging at home
Once you have a wallbox in place, start charging your electric vehicle. You'll notice an immediate difference in charging speed in comparison to using the slow charger provided by the manufacturer. This means that you can spend more time on the road in comparison to keeping your car on charge and make the most of your newfound freedom to charge your electrical vehicle on your property. Remember, energy bills will increase as a result of this, but you make significant savings in comparison to paying for fuel.
If you're interested to read more about Electric Vehicles then take a look at the following articles:
James Cartwright
James is an innovator in the Gap Insurance market with a longstanding understanding of automotive and Gap Insurance and consumer trends. In authoring these articles he brings together over 20 years of industry experience and a lifetime as an automotive enthusiast.
