Buying an electric car is usually a significant milestone for many EV owners as it often accounts for huge savings compared to gasoline-powered vehicles. However, most EV owners are soon faced with another challenge: how to choose a suitable EV charging station for their home use. This challenge can often be a source of worry, as making another investment in the wrong EV charger can be frustrating. Not to worry, we have compiled this guide just for you if you’re at this point in your EV journey. This post will give you all the information and essential criteria to consider when choosing a suitable home charging station. Let’s get started.
Know about the Charging Speed
This consideration is perhaps the most critical to evaluate when in the market for the best fitting home charging station for your EV. The speed of your home charging station significantly determines how long it will take to charge your EV at home after traveling around the city the whole day. Waking up to a half-charged EV can be agonizing for many EV owners as there is no guarantee of enough power for the day’s itinerary. But here is the thing, the faster your charging station, the more the voltage supply you’ll need to power it. Home charging is usually limited to the voltage supplied by the power distribution company, which often ranges from 120V to 240V depending on the local power specifications. Still, understand that faster-charging options will cost you more to purchase and install.
Level 1 vs. Level 2
The two types often supported by residential power supply are the Level 1 and commercial level 2 charging station. Level 1 chargers often require very little or no installation since you can easily plug them into any power socket at home and start charging your EV. Also, the cost of purchasing a Level charger is small compared to other chargers, including a Level 2 charger. However, the level 1 charger has the slowest charging speed of the two chargers and will often take up to 24 hours to fully charge your EV. On the other hand, a level 2 charger costs more to purchase and install and will require an experienced technician for installation. Still, it offers a faster-charging speed that can fully charge your EV in 5 to 8 hours, depending on your battery’s size and maximum charging rate. More importantly, a level 2 charger often requires more power supply from the power grid than a level 1, so you’ll have to ensure that it matches your local power requirements.
Considerations to Choose an EV Home Charging Station
To choose a suitable home charging station, you must understand specific criteria and give them adequate consideration in your selection. These factors are highlighted below.
- Charging Speed – Ensuring that your choice of home charging station meets the charging speed requirements needed for your EV is often an essential consideration. The size of your battery and your driving patterns will often determine the charging speed requirements of your charging station. For instance, a big battery for an EV that travels a long distance will usually require charging speed with a high-speed best electric car charger for home like a level 2 charger.
- Ease of Use – You should also consider the intuitiveness of the charging station before investing in one. It might not be a suitable home charging station if it requires too many technicalities and procedures before or during use. A good home charger should not be cumbersome or be a source of stress for you when charging your EV at home.
- Cost – Depending on the brand and the speed of the charging station you are considering, the cost of purchase will be a critical criterion for picking a suitable charger from the market. Typically, a level 2 charger will cost more to purchase and install than a level 1 charger. However, your budget will significantly determine which one you can buy.
- Easy Installation – No doubt, the ease of installation is often different for the various home charging stations available in the market. The level 1 charging station is the easiest to install. Still, you should look out for the easiest to install, even if you are looking to install a level 2 home charger.
- Customer Support – This factor is often critical for a level 2 charger since it has more technical requirements than a level 1 charger. A good home charger supplier should include after-sales support to address customers’ inquiries and maintenance requirements. Hence, if you want a suitable level 2 home charger, consider purchasing from a supplier with customer support.
Conclusion
In conclusion, choosing a suitable charger for your home charging will require you to consider the primary factors carefully. Especially where you have a big battery with a long-distance driving pattern, considering the speed of the home charging station will be critical for your suitability. Also, consider your budget against your EV requirements, as there can be a mismatch between the two. Finally, ensure that you go for a home charger supplier with prompt customer support in their service bouquet, as this might prove essential in the long run. Now that you understand what you need to select a suitable home charging station for your EV, what is your next move?
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