Charging electric cars at home: what to know when choosing a station?

  • Charging electric cars at home: what to know when choosing a station?
     

    If you own an electric vehicle (EV) and have a dedicated parking space at home (garage, underground parking, etc.), installing a home EV charging station is an excellent idea!

    For most people, the easiest way to charge an EV is through a wallbox charging station. Over 90% of electric vehicles are charged at home. However, using a standard household power outlet can take a long time to fully charge the battery. To speed up the process, many owners invest in a dedicated wallbox charger.

    These small, almost inconspicuous boxes (as the name suggests, "wall" for wall-mounted and "box" for compact design) can be easily connected to your home’s existing electrical system.

    You’ll need a permanent parking space off the street, such as a garage or private lot, but charging stations can be installed wherever convenient.

     

    Questions to Answer Before Choosing a Charging Station

    1. What is your EV's charging connector type, and do you plan to switch vehicles soon?
    2. Where is the charging port located on your EV, and what cable length will you need?
    3. How many EVs do you plan to charge simultaneously?
    4. Will the charging cable obstruct pathways or create a tripping hazard?
    5. How will the cable be stored when not in use?
    6. What is your EV's maximum charging power?
    7. What electrical wiring (power capacity) is available at the planned installation site?

    These are just guidelines to help you think ahead before making a purchase.

     

    What to Consider When Choosing a Charging Station?

    There are several key factors to keep in mind when selecting a charging station.

     

    Your EV's Charging Speed

    The first factor to consider is your EV's maximum charging speed, which typically ranges from 3.3 kWh to 22 kWh. The higher the kWh per hour, the faster your battery charges. Newer EVs generally support faster charging speeds.

     

    Charger Output

    To charge your EV at its maximum speed, you'll need an appropriately rated charging station. The four standard options are:

    3.3 kW, 1 phase, 16 A
    7.2 kW, 1 phase, 32 A
    11 kW, 3 phase, 3 x 16 A
    22 kW, 3 phase, 3 x 25 A

    Charging typically results in about an 8% energy loss. For example, charging a 36 kWh Nissan Leaf battery at 3.3 kW would take approximately 11 hours and 45 minutes (36 kWh + 8% / 3.3 kWh).

     

    Your Home’s Electrical Supply

    The faster you want to charge, the more powerful your electrical supply must be. Depending on your electrical setup, you can choose a single-phase or three-phase wallbox charger. Charging stations with 3.3 kW and 7.2 kW power outputs can typically be installed with existing wiring. However, three-phase chargers (11 kW and 22 kW) may require additional power adjustments from your electricity provider.

     

    Choosing Based on Your Preferences

    charging station

     

    Standard Charging Option

    If you're looking for a budget-friendly option and charging speed is not critical—for instance, if you charge your EV overnight while sleeping—a 3.3 kW wallbox is a suitable choice.

    Fast Charging Option

    If you want to maximize your EV's charging speed or your vehicle supports rapid charging, choose a station with an 11 kW or 22 kW capacity. This may require adjustments to your home’s electrical system, but such capacities are typically available in commercial buildings.

    Learn more about EV charging station types and speeds in our article What Are the Types of EV Charging Stations?.

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