Charging Your Electric Vehicle at Home: Facts and Figures
Explore the benefits of home charging for electric vehicles. Learn about cost savings, environmental impact, and smart charging solutions.
Electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming increasingly popular in the UK, and with this rise comes the need for convenient and efficient charging solutions. One of the most common methods of charging an EV is at home, offering convenience and cost-effectiveness. This guide will walk you through the process of home charging, from installation to optimisation, and everything in between.
Setting Up Home Charging for Your EV
To charge an electric car at home, you should have a dedicated home charging point installed where you park your vehicle. This is typically a compact, weatherproof unit that mounts to a wall, equipped with a connected charging cable or a socket for plugging in a portable charging cable. These dedicated EV chargers are installed by qualified specialist installers and offer faster charging speeds and built-in safety features compared to standard 3-pin plug sockets(1).
The installation process involves mounting the charge point on an exterior wall or garage, near where you park, and safely connecting it to the mains electricity supply. The process typically takes around three hours, depending on the individual requirements and the complexity of the installation.
The Cost of Home Charging
A fully installed home charging point costs from £799. Once installed, you only pay for the electricity you use to charge. The typical electricity rate in the UK is just over 28p per kWh, while on Economy 7 tariffs, the typical overnight electricity rate in the UK is 11p per kWh. By switching to an electricity tariff designed specifically for EV drivers, you could reduce this to just 4.5p per kWh and charge up for under £5 while you sleep(2).
Charging Speeds and Frequency
Charging speed for electric cars is measured in kilowatts (kW). Home charging points charge your car at 3.6kW or 7kW, giving about 15-30 miles of range per hour of charge. The maximum charging speed may be limited by your vehicle’s onboard charger. If your car allows up to a 3.6kW charging rate, using a 7kW charger will not damage the car.
You can charge your electric car at home as often as you need to. It can be treated the same as charging a mobile phone, fully charging overnight and topping up in the day if necessary. By charging overnight, electric car drivers can take advantage of cheap nighttime electricity rates and drive for as little as 2p per mile(3).
Optimising Home Charging
Smart home chargers are a way to tackle new energy-related challenges that will arise for drivers and networks. By adjusting your charging schedule to take place at certain times, it is possible to take advantage of time-of-use tariffs which have specific periods when electricity is cheaper. Many smart home chargers monitor home and EV energy usage so you can get a clear understanding of cost per kWh, which enables you to determine how much you are spending and switch to cheaper tariffs.
Charging an electric car at home places an additional load on your electrical supply. To avoid overloading your main fuse, some smart home chargers automatically balance the power drawn by your chargepoint with the rest of your home, ensuring it never causes your total demand to exceed the max available supply(4).
Conclusion
Charging your electric vehicle at home is not just a matter of convenience, but also a strategic decision that can lead to significant cost savings and environmental benefits. With the right equipment and a little planning, you can optimise your charging process to save money and reduce your carbon footprint.
The cost-effectiveness of home charging is a major advantage. With the installation of a dedicated home charging point, you pay for the electricity you use to charge your vehicle. By switching to an electricity tariff designed specifically for EV drivers, you can significantly reduce your per kWh cost, making it possible to charge your vehicle for under £5 while you sleep.
Moreover, home charging allows you to take advantage of off-peak electricity rates. By charging your vehicle overnight, you can benefit from cheaper electricity rates and drive for as little as 2p per mile. This not only saves you money but also ensures that your vehicle is ready to go each morning.
The environmental benefits of home charging are also noteworthy. As the UK's grid continues to get greener, with an increasing proportion of electricity generated from renewable sources, charging your electric vehicle at home will become an even more environmentally friendly option. This aligns with the global push towards more sustainable modes of transportation and the reduction of carbon emissions.
Furthermore, the advent of smart home chargers has made it possible to manage and optimise home charging in a way that was not possible before. These devices can balance the power drawn by your charge point with the rest of your home, preventing overloads and ensuring efficient use of electricity. They also allow you to monitor your energy usage and costs, giving you greater control over your charging process.
In conclusion, home charging offers a multitude of benefits for electric vehicle owners. It is a practical, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly solution that, with the right approach, can greatly enhance the experience of owning and driving an electric vehicle. As technology continues to advance and the UK's grid becomes greener, these benefits are only set to increase.
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