Electric vehicles are becoming increasingly popular in the UK due to their great sustainability and the surprising power they provide. They are the future of transportation, so many drivers are looking to make the switch from traditional petrol and diesel cars to EVs. What can put off a lot of people from making the switch is the power range when you only have access to public charging points. This means that for most journeys, drivers have to make a stop that can take 20 minutes with the fastest charger to have enough power.
However, today, you can get an at-home EV charger to combat this issue and prevent regular charging stops during journeys. This is the best and most practical way to keep an electric vehicle charged and ready to go when you need it most, because you don't have to endure the hassle of finding a public charging point. So many EV drivers are looking for the best EV chargers that suit their needs and property, but with so many options available, it can be difficult to make the best decision. To help you choose the perfect charger for you, we've created this EV charger buying guide that outlines how to find the right charging point and how our electricians can help.
Why Get an At-Home EV Charger?
Getting an at-home EV charger can offer you numerous benefits that make owning an electric vehicle easier, more convenient and even more affordable. The benefits of the best EV chargers for your home and needs are:
Makes Charging Convenient: With a charger that suits your needs and property, you get convenient charging for your electric vehicle. There's no more hassle trying to find a public charging point and then waiting to get a usable range. You can just charge your vehicle when you're not using it and be ready for every journey.
Cost-Effective: Having an at-home charger is much more affordable than constantly using a public charging point. You can choose chargers that power your vehicle smartly, using as little electricity as possible and making use of off-peak times that are cheaper.
Quicker Charging: Many at-home chargers can use a faster option to quickly power your vehicle to a usable range for when you're in a rush. As well as this, you can charge your vehicle overnight to get full power and always be ready. Plus, when installed professionally, your charging point is very safe to use and prevents electrical hazards.
Increase in Property Value: A surprising benefit to EV chargers at your home is that they can make your property much more appealing to potential buyers. Even though the financial value of the property won't really go up much, the appeal value will, as electric vehicles are the future, and it shows your home is prepared for that.
How to Choose a Home EV Charger
When it comes to how to choose a home EV charger, many electric vehicle owners struggle to know which one is best for them. There are so many different home chargers to choose from, which all have their own benefits. However, you need to make sure that you carefully choose a charger because you need to find one that works for you, your property and your daily needs. To help you choose the best EV home charger for you, we've outlined the top considerations you need to think about before purchasing one.
Think About the Charger Type You Want
The first consideration you need to make is the charger type you want. Each EV charger works differently and offers unique features, which means some may not work for your needs and some will. Look at the features of each EV charger and what modes they offer to see if it helps you and meets your needs. Think about the power it gives and how it takes the power, such as does it all come from the electric grid, or does it offer solar panel integration to use renewable energy instead, cutting down your electrical consumption to protect the environment and make charging more affordable. You also need to think about what benefits the charging point offers and if that suits your property and daily routine to make charging as simple as possible and the most convenient for you.
Look at the Charging Speed
The next important thing to consider when trying to find which EV charger is best for your home is the charging speed. This can change across different charging points, and you need to find one that works for your electrical capacity and your daily needs. Most home chargers are faster, but they all offer different modes that affect the charging speed. Some offer fast charging, which uses the most electricity yet can get your vehicle to a usable range instantly, and they can also offer more sustainable charging modes, which take longer to charge but save your electricity usage. Others only offer one mode of charging, such as a more sustainable charging option that takes longer but saves you money on consumption. You need to find the best one for you and your vehicle, as your battery can be different and have unique needs, such as only allowing you to charge it to 80% to keep the battery healthy.
Find Out the Power Capacity
Alongside looking at the power the charging point gives, you need to consider if your electrical system has the capacity to offer that power before you install your charging point. This is especially the case when thinking about installing a high-powered charging point. Your charger won't work properly if you don't have the capacity for the high power, meaning that the speed the charger offers doesn't matter because your electrical system won't be able to give that power to the cable. The best thing about this is that you don't have to know exactly what power your electrical system can give, as the professional electrician will take a look at this before installation, especially when you use Pullinger's EV charger installation service. Our experts will assess your current electrical system to determine if it can safely handle the capacity of the charger before we do anything else. We can also upgrade or rewire your electrical system if needed to be able to safely handle the power, ensuring that risks of hazards are significantly minimised.
Consider the Costs
You should also factor in the costs that come with your home charging point. This should not only be the initial cost of the charging point, but also the costs associated with the charging point once installed, such as your electrical costs. Every home charger is priced at a different cost, depending on the power it provides and its unique features. It's ideal to look at the different prices of each charging point you're considering to see if it suits your budget. The best thing to know is that typically, the higher power the charger offers, the more expensive it is.
As well as this, you need to factor in the installation costs, which can vary depending on the electrician you use. It's best to use professional and highly experienced electricians to ensure that your charging point is safe and working flawlessly because, in the long run, you'll save money as it's built to last. You should also look at the power to know how much electricity it will take and work out how much that'll cost, as well as factoring in unexpected costs, such as replacing or upgrading your electrical system, installing a new isolator switch if needed, having rapid charging cables installed, or even creating a new driveway to accommodate the charger.
Which EV Charger is Best?
When it comes to which EV charger is best, it's not about the top-rated overall charging point, but it's more about which EV charger works for you the most. This is why it's extremely important to choose a charger based on the important factors of your daily routine, needs, property type ands layout and future plans.
At Pullinger Associates Ltd., we offer a variety of different charging points with our installation service to provide you with the right one for you. We safely install Ohme, Zappi, Hypervolt, Tesla and Podpoint EV chargers according to your needs to give you a convenient, quick and easy way to keep your electric vehicle powered when you need it most. However, it can be difficult to know which EV charger is best for you, which is why we've outlined our different chargers and who they are best for.
Best Budget EV Chargers
The best budget EV chargers can be the perfect choice for many electric vehicle owners who are looking for excellent and easy functionality that focuses on saving money, not only for the initial purchase of the charger, but also for energy consumption. Affordability and simplicity can be a huge factor in how to choose a home EV charger that works for you, and we offer amazing budget EV chargers that can suit your property and daily needs.
Podpoint
Podpoint is a great mid-range charger that can be considered a budget EV charger, depending on the model you choose. You can get a very simple charging point that helps you to save money on the initial cost and over time on electricity costs. However, you can get more advanced models that offer app control and smart features. Choosing the more budget-friendly model means you get hassle-free charging, which is perfect for first-time EV owners and those who aren't looking for advanced features.
Ohme
Ohme is also considered as a budget EV charger in terms of saving you money over time on electricity costs. It provides cheap overnight charging and smart tariff integration to reduce energy consumption and costs. It also offers automation to make charging work for you, but it requires a strong mobile connection. This means it's perfect for those looking to save money on energy costs, drivers with great mobile networks at their property and those who don't want to manually schedule charging times.
Best Premium EV Chargers
The best premium EV chargers that we can install are the ones with the most advanced features, better aesthetics and future-proof setups that can work for today and for the future. These are the strongest charging points for those who want smart charging, more control over their energy and the highest power for fast charging.
Hypervolt
Hypervolt is a premium EV charger that is designed to work best for smart homes. It offers a variety of smart features to make charging your vehicle easy. It also is compatible with solar power to cut down your energy usage. Hypervolt gives you a lot of control over your charging experience through the app, making it ideal for those who want manual control over their energy, as well as those looking for great functionality and smart home owners.
Zappi
Another premium EV charger is Zappi, which is a solar-powered charging point that only relies on the renewable energy source. It offers strong renewable energy management and is built for properties that have solar panels to reduce the dependency on the electrical grid. This means that it's ideal for those with battery storage systems, solar panels and future-proof smart homes.
Tesla
Tesla is a premium EV charger that offers outstanding integration with Tesla vehicles and a sleek, minimalistic design that looks premium. It works flawlessly with the Tesla app and offers exceptional Tesla ecosystem support. As well as this, it has strong multi-car power-sharing capabilities and a charge-port opening button. This means that this charger is best for Tesla owners and those with multiple Tesla vehicles.
How Much Does an EV Charger Cost?
So, how much does an EV charger cost? This all depends on the charging point you choose and what features it offers. For basic, simple chargers that use less power, around 3kW, these can range anywhere between £250 and £500, but it's all dependent on the type of charger and the smart features it has. For more premium chargers, this can be anywhere from £450 and above, depending on the power they offer and the features they have.
Our Best EV Home Chargers
At Pullinger Associates Ltd., we offer the best EV home chargers and installation for you. Our expert team of electricians safely and precisely install quality charging points to make charging your EV easier, quicker and much more convenient. We work with you to provide a charger that suits your daily lifestyle, property layout and unique needs, so that your vehicle is always ready to hit the road when you need it for years to come. Contact us today to discuss your needs and find out how we can make charging simpler for you.