If you have an electric vehicle (EV), it may be worth looking into getting your own EV charger installed at home. Charging your EV from home offers a wide range of benefits, saving you both money and time as your car recharges.
For example, many EV chargers now use Smart technology to reduce costs by charging your car at times when electricity charges are lower, and they can also be configured to use electricity gathered from solar panels.
Let’s explore the advantages of installing a home EV charger, and outline the best solutions on the market for efficient charging.
The Advantages Of Installing A Home EV Charger
Cheaper Charges: In the UK, at current prices home charging costs approximately 28p per kWh, which makes charging the average 60 kWh EV just £16.80. In contrast, filling a petrol engine can cost as much as £85 for a full tank – up to 80% more!
More Efficient Charges: By installing a home EV charger, you won’t have to drive to a charging point to charge your vehicle, saving you some extra electricity. You can even connect your EV charger to solar panels, which will save you even more money and reduce your carbon footprint.
Having your own home EV charger also allows you to skip the hassle of queueing for a charging point, which is especially important if you work a fast-paced job where time is important and you need to be available at short notice.
You will also be able to make most use of your vehicle’s range – no more long, electricity-sapping drives home from a charging station! This is important because while some EVs offer impressive mileage between charges, others do not.
Safer: The Smart technology on EV chargers usually has built-in safety features, which enable you to charge your car with greater security.
Smarter: Many home EV chargers have Smart technology that charges your EV when electricity prices are lowest, thereby making them a smarter, more cost-efficient way to charge your car. They even have features which allow you to monitor your running costs.
How Much Does A Home Charger Cost?
The cost of a home EV charger and its installation varies depending on the charge point you are using, but as a general rule, it is likely to cost over £800.
With a payback rate of 3-6 years, installing an EV charger can save you money in the medium-term and beyond. Plus, if you ‘sell’ your electricity to other electric car users, you could make a profit on your purchase way before this.
Many EV charger retailers also offer payment options so you don’t have to pay for everything up-front; instead, you can simply stagger your payments over your preferred period of time to make them more affordable.
It is for all these reasons – and more – that electric vehicles are usually considered cheaper to run than their petrol powered counterparts.
Our Top Picks Of Home EV Charger
The All-Rounder: The Easee One
This Norwegian brand is well-known for its reputation as one of the best EV home chargers on the market. The Easee One can be used as a tethered or untethered charger, making it a flexible option for EV owners.
As a result of this feature, The Easee One can charge any electric car, quickly and easily, with a simple, streamlined design and additional Smart features. There is also no need for a charging rod, as The Easee One comes with built-in PEN fault detection, making installation quicker, easier, and cheaper.
The Genius: Ohme Home Pro
The Ohme Home Pro uses app software to link your EV charger with your energy tariff, allowing you to charge your vehicle at the cheapest energy prices – like for example, by charging overnight.
This allows you to take advantage of cheaper prices without having to manually schedule in your car charging times. The Ohme Home Pro also has the option of controlling the charger via a touchscreen, so you can charge your car even when you don’t have access to your mobile phone. Plus, it comes with a 5-metre tethered cable to make charging easier.
However, the Ohme Home Pro is only available in a tethered version, and some features may not be compatible with all vehicles.
The Integrated One: Pod Point Solo 3
Released at the end of 2021, Pod Point’s newest home charger is neat and functional, and easily camouflaged in subtle tones of black and grey. The Solo 3 offers both tethered and untethered options, and uses fuse protection to prevent power outages in the home.
The Solo 3 connects to home Wi-Fi and updates automatically when there are new features available, so you’ll know your Pod is always up-to-date and working to its maximum potential.
The Solo 3 records your home charging, and you can even download charging reports to help you to manage your electricity use. With the Solo 3, you are also granted access to the Pod Point Network of over 6,000 public charge points, allowing you to charge your EV quickly and easily, wherever you are.
If you’re an electric vehicle owner looking to save time and money while living a more efficient lifestyle, why not consider investing in one of the home EV chargers we’ve outlined!
