EV Charger as nice & Smart Accessory for your Garden
Electrical vehicle charging infrastructure aims at creating emission-free and reliable mobility, accessible to every person everywhere. To prepare for the mass transition into electric mobility, it would be best if you act now. As electric cars are becoming more popular, there will be increased congestion in the public charging spaces and getting a charging station at your home garden is the only solution. Here is a complete guide to help you charge your electric car at home.
How to Charge an EV at home
Charging at home is the most convenient and cost-effective way to recharge your electric car. But first, you need to understand the various EV charger types available based on outputs and charging speed. The rapid chargers are DC only and charges at 100+ Kw up to 350kw. The fast chargers work at 7KW to 2Kw and fully charge an EV between 3-4 hours. The slow units’ works best for overnight charging at 3KW-6KW taking between 8-12 hours for a pure EV and 2-4 hours for a PHEV. For home charging, you will need a 3KW or 7Kw rated chargers. Besides you need to come up with a dedicated home charging point in your garden. Here are various considerations to make before purchasing a home EV charger.
Location
Although you have a garage, you might choose to install your charging station outdoors probably in the garden. Therefore, when buying a charging station, please pay attention to its durability. Pick an EV charger design that can withstand long term exposure to summer, wind, and water during all seasons. It’s worth investing in a compact and weatherproof unit that effectively mounts onto a wall and features a socket or charging cable with some in-built safety features. Pick a charger with a flexible cable that will give you variability over your installation space. Also, before installing, choose a suitable location.
Size
Note that some electric vehicle charging stations can be too bulky and big to move and they may require permanent hardwiring by an electrician. Others come with an easy-mount design that allows convenient installation and you can easily unplug and remove it from the wall to carry it along when you move. Based on your personal preferences and the available space, you can pick the size that suits you best.
Installation
It would be best if you have your electric car charging point professionally installed, and some certified charging units will even include the installation fee on the unit’s price. The process involves an electrical charger installation on an exterior wall near your garden or garage. After the installation processes, you can then pack and connect it safely to a main electric supply. Installation costs may vary, and the process takes around three hours, depending on the complexity of the process and your requirements.
Connectivity and Convenience
A smart EV charger allows connectivity to your home wifi network. You can, therefore, enjoy a seamless control of the charging process from your tablet, computer, or smartphone. Using a dashboard together with the intuitive and straightforward application, you can start or stop the charging process from the comfort of your couch. Still, you can set reminders, view charging history, and even manage your charging schedule by maximizing the use of cheaper, renewable, or solar energy.
Your Electricity Bills
Please note that your electric utility bills will vary depending on your usage. You can charge it as often as you would wish just like your mobile phone by fully charging it at night and topping it up during the day when necessary. Please note that your electric vehicle requires a considerable amount of electricity for a full charge and it might cost more if you charge it with other appliances on. Therefore, it would be wise to charge your car during off-peak times to reduce your electricity bills. You can choose to charge your vehicle overnight to take advantage of the cheaper electricity rates and also to ensure that you have a full battery in the morning in preparation for your next day.
Conclusion
Electric vehicles consume no petroleum-based fuel, reducing the rates of air pollution, CO2 emissions, noise during operation, and help limit heat pollution. Installing a home charging station will allow you to recharge your car whenever you want at lower prices than the public stations.
