As a new owner of an electric vehicle, you must quickly work out how you will charge the battery. If you decide to install your own EV home charger, this article will show you what to consider before making your choice.
1. Power connection near your parking spot
If you have a permanent parking space, ideally a garage or carport, and access to the electrical connection, you may consider installing a charging station. Also, take into account the size of the charging station, it should fit in the future installation position.
Your vehicle will only charge if the charger can plug into the charging port, which brings us to the next factor to consider.
2. Your car’s type of plug
Depending on where you live, there are different EV charger plugs, and you need to know the type of your car. In North America, for example, every electric vehicle maker except Tesla uses the SAE J1772 connector, also known as the J-plug, for Level 1 and Level 2 chargers.
If you own a Tesla car, you will need an adapter (which you can order from Tesla’s online store) to use a charging station with a J-plug. However, with non-Tesla models, you can charge without purchasing an additional accessory.
The next aspect to consider is EV charging speed.
3. What is your EV charging speed?
Electric vehicles have different charging speeds, ranging from 3.7 kW to 22 kW. The internal charger in your car determines the speed. Getting a charger faster than the power rate your vehicle can accept could be a waste of funds. However, it is a good idea to consider future-proofing as you could own a car that charges faster later.
Many companies make charging stations, but you need to choose the right brand for your vehicle.
4. Which brand is right for your vehicle?
It is sound advice to purchase an EV charger from a reputable brand or manufacturer. They might be more expensive than generic products, but they usually come certified for safety, quality, and compatibility with your car. You would also enjoy a warranty on your purchase with trusted brands.
Another advantage of purchasing an EV charger from a quality brand is the possibility of updates to the software to make the charger work better or even enable new features.
On the subject of features, you need to consider the functions EV charging stations can perform.
5. EV charger features
EV charging stations could be basic, i.e., perform just charging, or have extra features that make them more convenient. For example, some stations can charge two cars simultaneously, a convenient feature for households with more than one electric car. You could also remotely control and monitor some models through a smartphone app or website. Some models can program your charging sessions.
Make sure the charging station you buy has all the features you desire before installing. However, it is worth noting that the more features your charging station has, the higher the price.
Before adding the charging station to your online shopping cart, it is good that you consider the installation.
6. Installation requirements
You should consider the conditions where you charge your car. For example, if you have to park outdoors, you will need a weather-proof station to avoid getting damaged by the sun or rain.
You also need to consider if the power requirements of the charging station won’t require altering your home wiring system or even make trenches to run cables. Both scenarios will add to your expenses.
Another point that affects convenience is on which side of your car the charging port is. If not considered, the charging station could end up on the wrong side.
Sometimes, there are specifications for charging stations by local authorities. It is best to be aware of them, so you do not run afoul of them.
Except you have the technical ability, you would need a trained technician to install your charging station.
All the factors considered already, however, must fit within the constraint of your budget.
7. Your budget
One of the most crucial factors is your budget. Bear in mind that your plan should cover the cost of the charging station, accessories, installation, etc.
You could cut costs by settling for not-too-expensive charging stations. However, you might be sacrificing quality and features.
Incentives could help you reduce costs, so finding out what is available in your area is worth it. You might qualify for several as different governments try to promote electric vehicles by offering tax cuts, rebates, or subsidies.
Conclusion
It is essential to identify what you want from an EV charger. Coupled with your budget and installation requirements, you can get a charging station that is best for you.