Caricabatterie EV domestico: Vantaggi, tipi e installazione

A home EV charger provides the equipment to ensure your car is always ready to drive. This is especially useful when you intend to use the EV regularly, whether for leisure or daily trips to the workplace. In this article, we bring you the information you need to understand home EV chargers, including their cost and installation requirements.

What do I Need to Charge My EV at Home?

This is a question that any person intending to own an electric vehicle would ask. Well, you have a choice of two main types of home EV chargers: a portable kind that’s wired to the power source and that you use by inserting into an outlet or the kind that you wire to your home’s electrical system.

Usually, your EV will come with the mobile type of charger, or what’s more commonly called a level 1 charger. But this is usually a slow device. So, although it may be sufficient for some, most EV owners choose to acquire a level 2 type.

A level 2 car charger for home, unlike the other type that uses a 120V outlet, requires a 240V service line, which may or may not be already available. However, this type of power system is already available for most homes.

A level 2 also gives you two home EV charging options: a gadget connected to a 240-volt socket or a charging station that wires to the home’s power system. Either way, you get what you can call an “at-home EV charger” for private use: more about that below.

Home EV Charger

An “at-home electric car charger” provides the convenience of not having to go out looking for a public charging station, which may not be available when you need it, which can be frustrating. As stated earlier, this can be a level one or level two type of device.

Level 1 Charging at Home

A level one charger is the cheapest home EV charger you can get. It allows you to juice up your electric car battery without spending on installation costs. In addition to costing less, you do not need to change your existing wiring. It’s simply a plug-in EV charger you insert into a normal outlet.

The only downside to this home EV charger is its slow charging speed (up to 24 hours on average). If your EV has a large battery, there may be better ways to charge it; it mostly suits smaller batteries or car owners who do not need to take long trips.

Level 2 EV Charging at Home

This is the most ideal for at-home charging. It’s also the fastest home EV charger that you can own. It can get you going in under 3 hours. Again, the exact time depends on the size of your EVs battery.

As already discussed, level 2 chargers offer reduced duration to bring your EV battery to capacity. However, it would help if you had a 240V circuit to connect it to. If your home is a lower voltage service line, you would also need to upgrade it.

Home EV Charger Installation

As we’ve seen, a home EV charger is more beneficial if it’s a level 2. Most of the time, this may require either a service line upgrade (not often), a modification to existing wiring, or both. You may also want to install it outside, and this needs to observe a few safety rules and requirements. This is how to get an EV charger at home based on these factors.

How to Install Home EV Charger

Installing a home EV charger should not be a DIY project. It requires a professional who understands your region’s electrical codes and regulations. They will also be able to determine the best wiring system to ensure your charging system’s safety. These installation tips will help you make the right decisions.

• Decide on the appropriate output or power rating for your home EV charger. This will usually be based on how fast you want your car to be charging or whether your battery is small or large.
•  Next, decide where to locate your home EV charging point or station. Installing only an outlet should be easy, as you would only need to install an outlet. If not, choose where to place a charging station, either indoors in a covered space or outside.
•  Ensure any charging station installed outdoors has an appropriately NEMA-rated plug and is adequately protected by a NEMA enclosure.

Your installer will either wire a 240V outlet to use with a portable charger or they will use more steps to install a charging station and wire it to the wiring station. In either case, the most suitable breaker for the circuit should be sought, and any other protective device should be installed.

Home EV Charger Installation Cost

The cost to install an at-home EV charger will mostly depend on your region’s labor rates. Considering that, you can expect to pay- on average, between $200 and $500.

The cost to buy home EV charger equipment and the charging device itself could be around $1000. This could also increase, especially if we’re talking about a charging station installed outdoors. 

How Much is a Home EV Charging Station?

A charging station is a preferred option over a simple outlet in terms of speed and convenience. However, it’s also a costly one. So, how much is the home EV charging station price? Although difficult to quote a specific amount, we can roughly estimate the amount you’ll likely spend to buy one.

The home EV charger costs $300 and well over $1000. Many factors, such as brand, features, and specific power rating or output, dictate the cost. You could buy a more affordable unit based on your charging needs or go for the most expensive but fast charging type.

Best Home EV Charger

Which home EV charger should you go for? Choosing your charging station for home use is difficult, with many options. Here is our advice:

• The best home EV charger is one that meets all your requirements. These include charging speed and device physical size.
•  Other requirements for a home EV charger include convenience and aesthetic features, although these depend on personal preferences and taste.
•  For example, some chargers will come equipped with remote control options using WIFI or Bluetooth connections.
•  Most importantly, choose a charger that is compatible with your EV. Also, it’s appropriate for home installation based on local electrical rules.

Conclusione

A home EV charger is the perfect option for charging convenience. You may choose from the many available options, such as level 1 and 2 types, based on your needs. You may also want to select the most appropriate power output for the device, again based on your charging needs and, if installing it outdoors, the charger’s size and aesthetics, among other factors.