The number of electric vehicle (EV) owners across the world topped 2.5 million in 2020 and is set to increase by a further 70% in 2021. As the number of buyers and new owners increases, so too does the need for information on one particularly important part of electric vehicle ownership: electric vehicle charging.
There are lots of things to consider when purchasing an EV charger for your home or office, but we’ve broken down the three most important ones here…
#1. The manufacturer
One of the major things you should look out for when buying electric vehicle charging equipment is the credibility of the manufacturer.
As the use of electric vehicles continues to grow, it will come as no surprise that there are now over 40 manufacturers that provide residential charging units alone, so there are certainly lots of options to consider.
When choosing which manufacturer to purchase from, it’s important to consider…
- How durable their electric charger is
- Whether their charger is compatible with the make and model of your vehicle
- Whether they have the right government licenses to operate
If you’re worried about choosing between so many different options, it’s best to stick to one of the more well-known manufacturers, such as BP, Pod Point, or Rolec.
#2. The power rating
Most manufacturers that provide electric vehicle chargers for residential and office spaces will supply three power rating options, 3kW, 7kW or 22kW. This determines how quickly the car is charged.
In the UK, where the national electricity grid is less robust than the likes of Germany, 3-7kW chargers are the most popular for home and office use and should charge your vehicle in 4-8 hours. This is more than enough time to charge your vehicle either overnight or during a full day in the office.
#3. Tethered or untethered
In addition to the power output of your charger, you’ll also need to decide whether you want a tethered or untethered unit. Quite simply, this means whether your charging point comes with an attached cable or not.
Whilst tethered units offer more convenience as the cable cannot be moved or lost, untethered charge points (often called socketed charge points) give you more flexibility as they accommodate all electric vehicles.
This is particularly useful if you’re likely to purchase a different electric vehicle in the future.
How Elite Electrical can help you
Electric vehicles are becoming increasingly mainstream, meaning more and more carmakers are joining popular brands like Tesla to build hybrid and fully electric EVs.
But with an increase in demand comes an increase in supply, and this can make choosing the best EV charger for your home or office difficult.
Here at Elite Electrical, we are fully trained and fully qualified electricians that have dedicated a reasonable portion of our training budget to understanding the requirements for electrical vehicles and charging points.
Whether you’re looking for further advice on choosing the right charging point, or you’re ready to install a charger and are wanting a team of local, efficient, and reputable electricians to carry out the work, we can help.
Find out more here.
For further information on installing an EV charger at home, why not download our FAQ guide below.
