Installing an EV charging station at home can be challenging, but it’s worth it to cut down your electricity bill and help the environment simultaneously. The need for electric cars comes with a need for electric car home chargers so that your car’s battery can receive the juice it needs while parked outside your house. If you’re considering installing an EV charger in your garage or driveway, take these simple steps.
1) Determine the Type of EV Charger You Need
There are currently two types of residential chargers to choose from — Level 1 & Level 2.
- Level 1 chargers deliver a charge of up to 2.4kW using a standard household power outlet. If you plan to use them at home, they require no additional wiring; simply plug and charge. The drawback — there’s always a drawback — is that they are slow and can take more than a day to charge your car — so if you need to go somewhere in a hurry, this won’t help your cause.
- Level 2 charger, as the name implies, is faster. It can deliver up to 7.4kW of power output for a standard single-phase house system and 22kW for a three-phase house system. However, these also have drawbacks — you’ll need an electrician to help with the EV charger installation. All the new chargers cost between A$800 up to A$1,800 (not including installation). Many are compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. They can be pre-programmed and can often be both plug-in or hardwired.
2) Check OBC Compatibility
What is an On-Board Controller, and Why Does it Matter?
You’ll also have to pay attention to your EV’s onboard controller (OBC). It’s an interface that manages the communication between your EV and its corresponding charging station. EV batteries require DC to charge, so if you have an AC charger, you’ll need a converter between the charging socket and the battery. AC charging vehicles usually include an onboard charger/controller that moves around with the car, receiving the mains charge and converting it to DC voltage at the required level. If you’re choosing a home EV charger, it’s a good idea to check that your OBC can manage the flow of electricity from the grid to your EV’s battery. This means your OBC must be compatible with the grid locations where it will be used and with the charger you intend to use.
3) Choose the Location for Your Charger
Another consideration when choosing an EV charger is where you park your vehicle. If you park outside, you’ll need to buy a weatherproof charger which can still be affected by the climate. Also, Level 2 chargers come with varying cable lengths if you’re parking outside. This EV charging cable comes in 5 metres, 7 meters and 10-metre cable lengths. Make sure you choose one that’s long enough.
4) Have an Electrician Install the EV Charger
Most home EV charger needs an electrician for EV charging installation. A licensed, certified electrician will help with the proper installation. The electrician might need to access the location for the installation as well as the wiring system to the home unit. If you are not sure about where to get a certified electrician, then, in that case, EvPowerHouse will get one for you. But for portable chargers, you might not need an electrician if you follow the right instructions.
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Our EV Powerhouse experts pride themselves on assisting our clients in meeting their personal, business, and commercial needs. If you want more information on the EV charging guide, our product range, and installation, or have other inquiries, contact us through our website.
