Congratulations on the purchase of an electric car, you have contributed to the ecology of the planet!
Now what?
Everyone has a question: how can I charge my electric car in a private house or garage? You have two options: a regular outlet or a powerful charging station.
Electric cars are already an integral part of the automotive world, many use electric cars on their daily trips. However, the growing use of electric vehicles is still not accompanied by the same number of public charging stations, so having an electric charging installation at home is a necessity.
Before deciding to install a charging station at home, there are a number of factors to consider, including the length of the connector, a compatible outlet, charging speed, and many other features.
A charging station is definitely a safer, faster, and more convenient solution for charging your electric car at home. But which one is most suitable for your electric car and which one to choose? We will tell you what to look for when buying.
Read also: Why Do Tesla Owners Tap The Charger?
How to choose a charging station for an electric car
1. Charging power: How fast does the electric car charge?
The built-in charger of an electric vehicle significantly determines the duration of charging. The power here ranges from 3.7 kW to 22 kW. However, the charging speed depends on two important components: the charging station and the charging cable. In this case, the component with the least power determines the overall performance.
For example, an electric car with a charging capacity of 3.7 kW can in principle be charged at any charging station, including fast charging, but only with a maximum power of 3.7 kW. The charging capacity also corresponds to the power of the weakest link in the circuit. In our review, you can find out the charging speed of your electric car. Or you can easily calculate it yourself according to the following formula:
Charging Power (Single Phase AC):
- Charging power (kW) = number of phases * Rated voltage (V) * Current (A)
- Charging power (3.7 kW) = phase (1) * Voltage (230 V) * Current (16 A)
2. Connectors: What type of charger does my electric car have?
Manufacturers of electric vehicles use various plug systems. In Europe, the Type 2 connector is standard, but Asian and American models still use the Type 1 connector. These include the first-generation Nissan Leaf and Mitsubishi i-MiEV. When choosing a stationary charging station, you need to make sure that it is compatible with your electric car, as there are no adapters for the various connectors. Table of electric vehicle connectors.
However, the Type 2 socket charging station offers you complete versatility. If necessary, you can also connect a Type 3 charging cable to it. For public places such as hotel parking lots or shopping malls, Type 2 plug charging stations are best suited.
3. Charging station: what to look for when choosing a manufacturer?
When buying a charging station for your electric vehicle, always choose a quality manufacturer that has been tested and listed by leading automakers. Thus, you will be confident in compatibility with your car, as well as future updates, services or spare parts. Find out which manufacturer of charging stations in our store is right for you.
With Schneider Electric EVlink, you rely on a recognized manufacturer of products that have already established themselves in the market. The Schneider Electric EVlink is also the most preferred partner for Daimler’s home charging stations.
ABL invented the SCHUKO plugin in 1925. Charging stations are also on the market in large numbers. ABL is also a brand of charging stations preferred by VW.
Alfred from the Netherlands. This market plays a pioneering role in electromobility. ICU charging stations are distinguished by intelligent solutions aimed primarily at business customers.
Webasto is one of the most successful automotive suppliers in the world. The cheap 22kW “Made in Germany” charging station is easy to install and makes charging your electric car so easy that even a child can do it.
4. Additional features: What do I really need?
With the rapid development of electromobility, the requirements for the charging infrastructure are also growing. It must be developed and compatible with other new technologies. Only an intelligent charging station can offer this. With it, you can use the available intellectual capabilities that are designed to meet your possible needs in the future.
- Load management
Load management for electric vehicles: Intelligent charging stations can be integrated into the load management system with additional modules. If the load is constant and without drops, then several electric vehicles can be charged at the same time. The available power is automatically distributed by the number of charging electric vehicles. First of all, it is relevant for shopping centers, hotels, parking lots, etc.
By installing several charging stations, owners avoid voltage drops and high loads. Due to this, they prevent price increases and preserve the performance of charging stations.
- Restrict access
Restrict access: In public places, such as garages, hotels, and shopping mall parking lots, it makes sense to protect access through RFID. This ensures that charging stations will only be used by individuals who have access to it. In general, there are two options: key or RFID.
When buying, we recommend using RFID (in the form of a card or key fob) because it can provide access to multiple charging stations, making it universal for use. With the support of similar RFID systems (e.g. Mifare ISO-A), access cards are also suitable for other purposes, such as an office key.
READ ALSO: How long does it take to charge a Tesla?
So, based on all these factors, we, as always, have compiled a rating of the most reliable and powerful chargers to facilitate your choice.
And here are our winners in the nominations:
Versatile Charging: EVIQO Level 2 EV Charger
Remote charging: JuiceBox 40 Smart Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Station
The safest charging: Enphase Level 2 EV Charger
Fastest charging: Autel MaxiCharger Home Smart Electric Vehicle (EV) Charger
The most affordable charging: Lectron NEMA 14-50 Level 2 EV Charger
The most reliable charging: Grizzl-E Level 2 EV
Let’s take a closer look at the advantages and disadvantages of each of them:
Most Versatile Charging: EVIQO Level 2 EV Charger
The EVIQO Level 2 EV Charger stands out for its balance of speed, safety, and smart features. It offers up to 9 times faster charging than standard portable chargers, making it ideal for EV owners who value convenience and reliability. With its compatibility across all EV models in North America and an app designed for cost efficiency and usage tracking, EVIQO redefines home charging.
Remote charging JuiceBox 40 Smart Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Station
Of course, the most important difference between this charging and others is its remote control.
The JuiceBox 32 charger offers smart charging. You can control it with Amazon Alexa. Various smart features include receiving notifications when charging is over reminders of charging sessions, and more.
The safest charging Enphase Level 2 EV Charger
ClipperCreek’s safety certifications include ENERGY STAR, ETL, and cETL and demonstrate that this EV charging station meets generally accepted product safety standards. In addition, the Service Ground Monitor continuously verifies that the ground is correct to ensure safety for you and your family. In addition, the device is enclosed in a fully sealed NEMA-4 housing and is designed to operate in the temperature range from -22°F to 122°F (-30°C to 50°C).
Fastest charging Autel MaxiCharger Home Smart Electric Vehicle (EV) Charger
MaxiCharger Home is a 240V electric vehicle (EV) charging station that can charge any electric car or plug-in hybrid up to 9 times faster than a standard charger.
The power output range of the electric vehicle charger from 6 to 50 amps allows you to choose the charging speed that suits your lifestyle and home.
The most affordable charging Lectron NEMA 14-50 Level 2 EV Charger
The savings presented by Lectron are not without some compromises compared to more expensive offerings, as evidenced by the lack of mounting equipment or Wi-Fi connectivity. However, the Lectron is equipped with an easy-to-read LED screen that displays useful information such as voltage, amperage, charging time, power consumption, and temperature.
The most reliable charging Grizzl-E Level 2 EV
A simple and powerful charging station that works in the harshest conditions. The case is metal, sealed and waterproof. It has built-in protection against overcurrent, overvoltage, under-voltage, ground fault, and overheating. Operation resumes after a power outage. The cable remains flexible even in severe frost.
Conclusion
While there may be upfront costs associated with installing an EV charging station at home, the long-term benefits, including convenience, cost savings, and environmental impact, make them a worthwhile investment for electric vehicle owners. Additionally, the expanding network of public charging stations enhances the accessibility and convenience of electric vehicle ownership, further supporting their value.
