What You Need to Know About The Residential Electric Vehicle Charger

Most plug-in electric vehicle drivers do more than 80% of their charging at home because it is convenient and inexpensive.  Residential electric vehicle chargers allow them to take advantage of low and stable residential electricity rates.

In fact, the cost to run your electric vehicle over the course of a year can be less than the cost of running an air conditioner.  

You also have a couple of choices on how you would be able to charge your car at home—plug it into a standard three-pin socket or you can get a special home fast-charging point installed.  The former option is the most convenient but is also the slowest.  With a residential electric vehicle fast-charging point installed, you get much faster charging times.

Factors to Consider When Buying a Residential EV Charging Station

There has been a growing adoption of plug-in vehicles (PEVs) increasing the need for installing residential charging stations, also known as electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE).  When you plan to buy one of these charging stations, here are things you need to know:

• Location of your residential EV charger

You have to consider the durability of the unit you’re planning to buy.  Can it withstand being exposed to the elements like the sun, wind, snow, and rain in the long term?

Look for the right location to install your charger where it is protected from the elements.  You can find units that feature a waterproof and durable case with longer charging cables at a comparable price.  The longer cable will allow you greater flexibility over where it can be installed.

• Size

Compare the different sizes of available residential EV charging stations.  Some are just too big and bulky to move.  Some may even require permanent hardwiring by a professional electrician.

There are EV chargers you can use at home that have an easy-mount design and that can be installed in the most convenient locations.  Choose units that can be unplugged and removed from its wall mount so that you can take it with you when you move.

• Easy Installation

Do not add up to the cost of your EV charging station with a unit that requires the skill of electricians.  Choose a unit you can install yourself so you don’t need to hire a professional.

There are residential EV car chargers that are easy to install because they come with a compatible plug and an adapter as well.  

• Smart Chargers

The advancement of technology in the EV charging station industry has made it possible for you to connect your residential EV charger to your home WiFi network.

This feature will allow you to have easy access to all functions of your charging device from your smartphone, personal computer, or tablet.  Through the simple and intuitive app and dashboard, you can do the following:

• Start or stop charging
• Set reminders
• Manage charging schedules (to maximize the use of cheaper or renewable energy)
• View your charging history.

• Reduced electricity costs

There are certain home EV charging stations that you can control so that your charger can charge your car automatically during the off-peak times that you select.  This is possible only through units that have smart technology and WiFi connectivity.

Why does this matter?  Utility electric rates vary at different times of the day, depending on the overall usage of the grid.  Hence, as electric cars consume a lot of electricity when they are being charged, make sure that you charge only during off-peak times.  

If you charge while other electrical appliances are turned on, you will expect to be paying more for electrical costs.

Buying a residential EV charger with WiFi connectivity will help you control the times of charging your EV.  You can charge your car automatically during off-peak times that you select, thus, prevent the unexpected increase in the cost of electricity and reduce the toll on the power grid.

The Cost of Charging Your EV at Home

How much you spend charging your electric car costs less than fuel costs for conventional vehicles because plug-in hybrid EV’s have smaller batteries.  This is especially true if you use your residential electric vehicle charger at night when your utility offers special off-peak rates.

One thing is for certain when you choose to install an EV charging station at home—it will cost you considerably less to charge an electric car than it would fill a car’s fuel tank with petrol or diesel.  Make the wiser choice now!