In short, yes. If you own an EV or are thinking of acquiring one, having a home charging setup is essential. 85% of Australians charge theirs at home, and for good reason. It’s easy, you can do it overnight when energy rates are lower and your car will always be ready to hit the road in the morning.
Of course, all EVs come with a Type 2 charging cable that you can plug into a wall socket. These are super convenient for emergency top-ups or when you’re out and about. However, for daily charging needs, a dedicated wall or pedestal-mounted home EV charger will get you powered up in no time.
How does a home EV charger work?
A home EV charger is more than just a cable that connects the car to a plug socket, it’s a station installed by a professional. It’s connected to your home’s electrical system, usually via a 32-amp single-phase line and typically operates at a higher power level than a standard outlet, allowing for faster charging.
Level 2 home EV chargers are designed to communicate with your EV to ensure safe and efficient charging. When you plug in your EV, the charger communicates with the car to determine the optimal charging rate based on the battery’s current state and other factors. This helps protect the battery and ensures it charges effectively.
How fast do home EV chargers charge?
How quickly your charger will power up the car will depend on the charger’s capacity and the vehicle’s onboard charger. If your home has single-phase power, you could accommodate a 7kW charger, which adds around 40km of range per hour of charge. An 11kW charger can add about 60kW per hour. Meanwhile, a three-phase power supply can accommodate a 22kW charger, which can triple the speed of charge, giving you 120km of driving per hour.
In comparison, a standard 10 A wall socket produces 2.4kW of power and, depending on the battery size, takes 15 – 30 hours to fully recharge an EV.
What makes home EV chargers so convenient?
It’s like having your own fuelling station at home. Unlike standard plug-and-play charging cables, dedicated chargers come with tonnes of functionalities and features that streamline the charging process. For instance, most brands come with smart features like smartphone apps, allowing you to monitor and control charging remotely.
What’s more, you can schedule charging to coincide with off-peak electricity rates, which will save you money over time. If your home is solar-powered, EV chargers like the Ocular IQ Solar are designed to pair with your system to really maximise those solar returns.
What makes a home EV charger safe?
An electric charger can consume a substantial amount of power relative to typical household appliances. When you plug an electric vehicle into a standard outlet, it can draw a significant amount of electricity and potentially overload your home’s electrical circuit, especially if other high-powered devices are in use at the same time. Unlike a standard outlet, a home EV charging station is specifically designed and wired to manage the high-power demands of EV charging.
What does a home EV charger cost?
When investing in a home EV charger, there will typically be a hardware purchase cost and installation fee. These will be determined by the type of charger you opt for (some are simple, others have lots of bells and whistles) and the complexity of the installation. Entry-level chargers can start from as low as $700, going up to $2,000 for a top-spec charging unit. Regarding installation costs, you will be given a quote by your chosen installer for this.
Under the ACT Government’s Sustainable Household Scheme, you can apply for loans of up to $15,000 to go towards the costs of an EV itself and your home charging set-up.
When it comes to finding the right home charging solution, ActewAGL can take care of every element, from finding the right charging solution to installation and after support. With charging options to suit all budgets from market leaders like JET Charge, Tesla and Ocular, you can trust ActewAGL to provide tailored advice and solutions that meet your specific needs.
Summary
- Unlike standard charging cables, home chargers are stations installed by professionals, connected to your home’s electrical system for faster and more efficient charging.
- How quickly your charger will power up the car depends on the charger’s capacity and the vehicle’s onboard charger. Single-phase power can accommodate 7kW (40km of range per hour), 11kW (60km per hour), or three-phase power for 22kW (120km per hour).
- Home EV chargers offer smart features like smartphone apps for remote monitoring and control, and scheduling charging to take advantage of off-peak electricity rates or solar power.
- Home EV chargers are designed to handle the electrical load required to charge an EV.
- Hardware costs range from $700 to $2,000, with installation costs determined by the complexity of the installation. Financial help may be available through government schemes like the ACT Government’s Sustainable Household Scheme.
- ActewAGL provides comprehensive solutions from market leaders like JET Charge, Tesla, and Ocular, offering tailored advice and installation services for all budgets.
Are you considering making the switch to an electric vehicle? Save time and money and stay fully charged with exclusive access to electric vehicle charging solutions and information to support you on your EV journey, all available through ActewAGL’s evHub. Find out more here.
