Why do I NEED a home charger for my electric car? | Electrifying

#electriccars #homecharging #evs

If you’re thinking about buying an electric car or have just got one, you may be wondering why you need to shell out for a proper home charger. After all, all electric cars can, in theory, be refuelled from the standard three pin plug - like the one you have on your wall.

The quick answer if you REALLY can’t be bothered to watch our video for another two minutes is that they are safer, faster and will make your electric life SO much simpler. They can also pay for themselves in just a few years. But there’s a bit more to it than that!

Let’s start with safety, for example. Your electric car might come with a charging adaptor (known as a granny charger) that will allow you to plug your car into a three-pin socket.
But here’s the catch. It might look fairly innocuous, but that little box draws quite a hefty load from your mains. Household sockets aren’t really designed to take large loads for extended periods of time.

If we were charging a car like a Citroen ë-C4 from empty to full, it would need to be plugged in for around 23 hours. That’s a lot of what’s called ‘continuous load’ on a socket and if there are any weaknesses or slight faults in your electrics, things could start to get a bit lively.

With a purpose built charger, you don’t have to worry about any of that. A charging unit like this is connected directly to your fusebox - or consumer unit to give it its proper name. Wiring it directly to this means that there are no other loads on the circuit and if there’s any problem with the charger, it won’t take out any of your other appliances.

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[JohnBright-wice]

I have done 20, 000km in 15 months and used a trickle charger exclusively, except for two weekend trips to Sunshine coast where I topped up with a 50kW DC charger.

[JoriDiculous]

Honestly i have no idea but a wild guess would be to charge at home.

[Bournethorpe]

The main reason why I have a Zappi 7 kW charger is to make best use of output from my solar panels, and to minimise importing from the grid. It has three settings: Fast, Eco and Eco+. The fast setting will charge at 7 kW, obviously using any solar energy available but getting the extra from the grid, 100% overnight. The Eco setting will roughly use equal amounts from the panels and the grid, whilst the Eco+ setting will make full use of all the solar energy that we are not using in the house up to 5 Kw, and will pause whenever the solar output falls below 1.4 kW.

[MartinzW]

The safety reason deserves a deeper look:
* The load will depend on the control unit (the granny charger) and the vehicle - often with adjustable amps so speed of charging can vary,
* The sockets in your home may not be rated for the chosen kW load but you can double check as, often on sockets, it's stated,
** To add to this point, sockets have to have ground, otherwise control box will report error,
** The presented control unit has a built in fuse in the plug - in UK fuses are used almost in every connection so it's relatively safe in case of overcurrent,
** If you home wiring looks shabby or is not rated for many kW, reduce the amps on control unit,
* Sockets not designed for use of high load for extended period of time is only true if it significantly heats up which may indicate socket is not designed for the load in the first place or faulty connection.

The only safety concern that should have been raised is the risk of how users may use it:
* control unit with cable is hanging from socket with full weight causing improper connection, heating up the socket and depennding on your breakers could lead to melting socket and burning.
* Extension cord is used while it's rolled up, causing it to heat up and then damage depends on breakers,
* it's laying on ground and your new puppy likes chewing cables.

Getting a wall box likely means an electrician sets it up so less risk of user error. Or you could just hide a granny unit in a box mounted on a wall while ensuring all connections are safely in place. The only practical reason to have wallbox then is potentially increased charging speed depending on the car, more control and aesthetics.

[NZherewecome]

I fitted mine myself, just needed the sparky to check and sign it off.
Obviously he fitted the RCD/MCB in the unit also.
We have our BYD set to charge from 10pm only, and our cheap rate kicks in from 11pm 0.12cents per KW and our hour of free power set for 10-11pm. Our full 68kw battery is normally about $6 for 420ish kms.
We’re NZ btw

[OldManTony]

The main reason to get a home charger is to spend a load more money, that can take years to recoup, and it keeps electricians in work. The average £1100 for an installation will give you 40 or 50 full charges at a Tesla Supercharger or around 10, 000 miles.

[wonderonegaz]

There is an alternate option half the cost of a wallbox but still 7kw.

That's a CCE connection, such as the cable available from Jolt.

The regulations permit use of interlocking CCE connections for special applications, of which charging an EV is.

Simply getting an electrician to connect up an interlocked CCE socket plus a 32A CCE to type 2 cable costs half what a wallbox does (around £500), yet gives you the same capability as a £1, 000 charger and ability to charge at 7KW.

[mikadavies]

If you have the opportunity for Off-Street parking, then a proper EV Charging box it will allow you to charge (1) At much much cheaper rates and (2) it safer.
It is NOT convenience to use Cheap Rate Charging... A "full tank" of electricity is around £7 to £8... Approx 1/5th the price of a petrol car.

[richardhowlett]

Talk about arrogance . The worst thing about electric cars, are the holier than thou people that drive them . Millions cannot possibly charge at home, me included in a semi-detached with no driveway or garage.

[Singlej]

But most folk with solar are capped at producing 3.68kW, so a granny charger is better at ensuring all the electricity going into the car is “free” since a wallbox will charge above your solar’s cap, meaning you are importing or paying for approximately 3.5kW per hour.
Personally I’ve got both, so I use the granny to save money, and the wallbox when I’m in a rush.

[stevenjonesnmcc]

Crikey you're a lucky one using the new Evios charger!

[RB-ltkt]

A misleading video with slightly inaccurate information. A domestic socket is designed to supply 8 Amps continuously with a peak of 13 Amps. The socket has a temperature rise specification and can deliver 13 Amps for 4 hours. My Granny charger has different load settings so I can reduce the current thus lowering the temperature rise. Yes the car charges slowly but its perfectly safe at 8 Amps. Many tumble dryers draw close to 13 Amps but normally run for up to 3 hours on a cycle. You would NEVER charge an EV from empty to full as it is recommended you use the battery between 20 and 80% (60% so on 8 Amps would take 18 hours). You can wire any dedicated socket with 32A cable connected directly to your consumer unit and have a 16 Amp RCBO fitted, add a 32A commando socket and it is perfectly safe. You just need to use the Granny charger to top up your EV when its parked outside your home or work. NOT everyone needs a 7kw £1500 charger.

[graemeglass]

I got one because where I live there are only 2 ev chargers within 1/2 mile, both 7kWh. Plus I have a drive so I can attach the charger to the house. I don't want to tie up a charger for people who live in apartments and can't charge from home. Also I charge overnight at £0.09 per kWh, which saves me money, Roughly £5.40 per 200 miles

[ianpalin]

Why does no one ever talk about the Hive chargers, not expensive, easy to use and a great install experience.

[patrickh]

Understand what you’re saying but there… it is better to have a home charging unit, the grant towards these only works once each car Reg… but over the 4.5 years of EV ownership the EV charging rates have trebled in my area making it pointless being on a day night tariff as also day rates now get hiked ! I would indeed get a sparky expert in to create a separate line via consumer unit and have a industrial 13amp outdoor plug socket fitted and just use this as its going to be a fraction of the cost of a 7kw charge box 🤔

[petergaskin]

If you, at any time, draw more than 100A [for most domestic installations], even for a short period of time, it won't matter how clever your charger is, it will still blow the main isolator on your consumer unit. Check first with your electricity supplier that your individual supply and the area supply in the street outside your house is capable of handling the load.

[PaulrB]

Spent £120 on a 32amp commando socket with isolation and it’s IP rated and guess what, get 7kw from it and car does the smart bit 🤷

[DigitalWeapn]

We live in an end terrace with allocated parking in front of the house but can't have a charger fitted because the cable would go across the path which is a public right of way. I'd love how the government think people are going to charge their hybrid/electric vehicles when the majority of houses in this country are terraced.

[samuxan]

What if the power company can only supply 4kw max to your house?It's the same using the 3 pin or a proper charger. the dealership gave a free charger as a bonus, 3 years later I haven't installed it because of that

[King-mitch]

Good to know however if your home is on a loop system you CAN NOT have a charging point at home