-
Now live! Generate even more savings with our Skygate system. Click here to learn more.
Renewable Energy Hardware
6 mins read
The Best EV Chargers of 2024 | A Guide To EV Chargers
25 Oct 2021
Take the first step toward energy independence today.
get a quote
6 min read
On this page
The Best Home Electric Vehicle Chargers
So your officially an electric car owner, but if choosing the right electric vehicle wasn’t hard enough, you now have to choose an home charger too! Finding the right home charger can be difficult. There are a lot of factors to consider: charging speed, manufacturer, compatibility, the list goes on. Hence why the team here at Deege Solar have put together a guide to help you understand the different types EV chargers on the market, and to showcase the best of the best!
How Do I Know Which EV Charger is the best?
Depending on which features you wish to prioritise, the best EV Charger can differ project to project. Lucky for you, the team here at Deege Solar have put together a list of key features to compare before choosing which home charging point to install.
Charging Speed
The charging speed of an EV charger effects how long your Electric vehicle takes to be fully charged. The time it takes to charge an electric car depends on 3 factors:
- The size of the EV’s battery.
- The EV Charger Power.
- And the Charging Time.
Types of EV Charging Speeds
Rapid charging – Rapid charging is the fastest way of charging your EV. Especially when on the move. A rapid charger typically has an output of anywhere between 50kW and 350kW. Rapid EV chargers or DC chargers are generally used for public charging points. Public charging points are commonly found at service stations and charge parks along motorways in the UK.
Slow Charging – A slow charge is typically through a 13amp 3pin mains socket and has an output between 2.3kW and 3.5kW. Due to the uptake of 7kWh fast EV chargers, slow charging is becoming less common now.
Granny Charging – A granny charger, as the name suggests, is the slowest and eldest form of electric vehicle charging. Effectively another form of slow charging, Granny charging simply takes power from a typical 13amp 3 pin socket in the home and charges at the rate of 2.3kWh. Charging through a mains socket is 3 x slower than using a fast charger. Many EV’s provide a granny charger as a means of emergency charging.
Fast Charging – Fast EV chargers typically have an output of either 7kW or 22kW, with 7kW being the most common EV charger for the home and workplace. Most home charging points tend to be 7kWh, however it is possible to charge at 22kWh if there is a three-phase supply.
Phase
When it comes to electricity, phase refers to the power supply. A single-phase EV charger can charge your EV at a maximum of 7.4kW. However a three-phase charger can charge your Electric Vehicle at a maximum of 22kW. Three phrase chargers offer faster charging rates, and are more common at places of work or commercial building. Nevertheless, it is possible to get a three-phase home charging point installed if your home has a 3 phase supply.
What is a KW?
kW stands for kilowatt, and is a measurement of how much electricity an appliance needs to run. A kilowatt is 1,000 watts. The large the kW of an EV charger, the more electricity the home charging point can provide.
Smart Charging
A smart charger is an EV charger that can be accessed remotely. The majority of home charging points come with the own unique monitoring platforms. This feature allows you to monitor your car charging, accept firmware updates and take control of your EV charging remotely. All that is required is an internet connection, which may be difficult for those living in more rural off-grid areas.
Smart chargers allow for integration with other technologies, and future proofing. One of the main benefits of smart charging, is the ability to take advantages of time-of-use tariffs such as Economy 7, or Octopus Go, when the price to charge your electric vehicle is cheaper. However, smart chargers are usually more expensive than regular EV chargers.
Connector Type
Similar to your phone chargers, an EV charger consists of two connectors. One that plugs into the electric vehicle and the other that plugs into the chargepoint itself. The type of connector you need varies by vehicle and the power rating of the EV charger. Electric vehicles either have a Type 1 or Type 2 socket for slow/fast charging. Since the phasing out of Type 1 connectors (5-pin connectors), almost all modern EVs and home charging points have the same Type 2 inlet. Type 2 connectors (7-pin connectors) are currently industry standard, and can be found on public chargers also.
Tethered or Untethered
In comparison to an untethered charger, a tethered EV charger comes with a cable attached to the home charging point. This is not only convenient but also an all in one solution.
An untethered EV charger means that the charging cable does not come hardwired to the chargepoint. This means you can use your own, allowing for custom cable lengths, and flexibility for both Type 1 and Type 2 EVs. This choice is particularly useful if there are multiple electric vehicle in your household that use different cables.
Green Energy Ready
Some EV chargers have the ability to work hand in hand with Microgeneration technologies, such as Solar PV or other types of renewable energy resources. This means you will be able to use your surplus green energy to power your electric car more affordably. An essential if you are a homeowner with a renewable system installed!
Solar EV Chargers such as the Zappi, will allow you to charge your car solely from the green energy generated for your solar PV or wind system. Or from a mixture of both your own green energy and energy imported from the grid. By utilising what is known as ‘Load balancing’ or ‘Dynamic Load Balancing’ these smart EV chargers are able to monitor the energy demand of both your home and electric vehicle. In doing so, it can adjust the amount of charge going to your device, according to your green energy generation.
EV Charger Comparison - Home Edition
Below our green team have put together a comparison table for some of the EV Chargers available on the market. If you would like to find out more information regarding EV Chargers contact our team on 01322 479369.
How Do I Get An EV Charger Installed?
By now, you should know everything you need to about the best home EV chargers on the market. Getting a home EV charger could save you thousands over the lifetime of your electric car. So what are you waiting for? If you are a UK home or business owner looking to install the best EV charger on the market, get in touch with our green team. As OLEV approved installers, with over 12 year of experience, when you choose Deege Solar you know you are in safe hands. Call us today on 01322 479369 or click the enquire now button to talk to an expert!
Share article
Share article