Charging your electric vehicle at home
We’ve previously looked at how the charging infrastructure is growing faster than ever before, but it seems that the majority of electric vehicle owners still rely on home charging to keep their car’s batteries topped-up. So with that in mind let’s take a closer look at what you need to know.
One way you can charge your EV at home is to plug the car into your home’s domestic electricity supply using the standard 3-pin socket. While this seems convenient it’s not terribly efficient – at most it might deliver 3kW, although it’s likely to be less, so fully charging a larger battery will take a long time. In any case, it’s not really advisable in the long-term as it can put a strain on domestic wiring.
A far better answer is to use a dedicated wallbox charger that draws current from the mains and delivers it safely to your EV. Okay, so you need access to off-street parking – a driveway, for example – but assuming that’s the case they can be fitted quickly and easily by a qualified installer.
It’s not just a matter of convenience as the charging rate is normally 3-7kW, so it will be faster, too. In fact, some units can supply 22kW although your property will need to have a three-phase electrical supply. And with the latest ‘smart’ units able to charge at the most efficient time – off-peak and when demand from the grid is at its lowest – topping up your EV will be much cheaper, too.
As for cost, prices for wallbox units vary so it’s best to shop around, but they generally start from around £300-400 although they can cost substantially more depending on specification. However, help is at hand thanks to the Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme. Run by the government’s Office for Zero Emission Vehicles, the scheme contributes 75% of the cost of buying and installing a wallbox, with the payment capped at £350 including VAT. There are eligibility criteria to be aware of, though, so pay their website a visit for the full details.
If the availability of easy and affordable charging for your electric vehicle at home sounds like good news, well, it is. If you’re about to take the plunge into EV ownership – or you’re tempted by one of our electrified classics – then it means there’s one less thing to worry about. Here at RBW we think there’s never been a better time to go emissions-free…
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