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.
1. 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
What is a KW?
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. Green Energy Ready
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.
| EV Charger | Safety | Charging Speed and Modes | Price | Smart Charging | Solar Compatible | Warranty | Connector Type | Load Balancing | Durability | OLEV Approved | Adjustable Power |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zappi EV Charger | ✔️ Built In PEN-fault technology. ✔️Pincodeprotected. | 7kW Single Phase charging speed or 22kW 3 phase. 6A to 32A (Variable). 3 charging modes: ECO, ECO+ & FAST. | £££ | Yes Remote control, scheduling and monitoring. | Yes | 3 Years | Tethered or Untethered. Offers a Type 2 Tethered 6.5m cable | Yes | Indoor & Outdoor IP65 fully weather resistant. | Yes | Yes |
| Rolec WallPod:EV | ✔️Built-in overload and fault current protection. ✔️Certificated by the BSI. ✔️ OCPP 1.6 Compliant | Available in Mode 2 2kW charging speed ( a domestic 13A EV-rated socket) or Mode 3 fast charging speed. Available In both 3.6kW and 7.2kW, as well as 3phase 11kW and 22kW speeds for commercial and workplace locations. | ££ | Yes Remote control, scheduling and monitoring. | Requires a Charge-By-Solar switch | 3 Years | Available in Type 1 & Type 2 tethered or Type 2 socket versions offering 3.6kW and 7.2kW charging speeds. | No | IP65 Weatherproof & UV stabilised. Corrosion resistant. Fire retardant. Impact resistant. | Yes | No |
| Tesla Wall Charger | ✔️Built in RCD Type A + DC 6mA protection | The Tesla Wall Connector is capable of supplying up to 22kW of power. | £££ | Yes NB: The Tesla Wall Connector relies on the settings in the Tesla vehicle. | No | 3 Years | Tethered Only Select between 8.5’ or 24’ cable length options. | Yes | Indoor & Outdoor IP55 fully weather resistant. | No | Yes |
| Project EV | ✔️Built-in Earthing. ✔️Full Electrical Protection including over/under Temperature Protection. ✔️System Locking | 7.3KW single phase. | £ | Yes Intelligent power adjustment, emergency stop, Wifi/APP/ethernet monitoring. | Yes | 5 years | Untethered with a Charging Type 2 Connector. Works with all plug-in vehicle brands. | Yes | Indoor & Outdoor IP65 fully weather resistant. IP65 protection grade, capable for harsh environmental conditions | Yes | Yes |
| Wall box Pulsar Plus | ✔️Built In Earthing (for the 7.4kW version) | Capable of supplying up to 22kW of power for 3 phase charging. | ££ | Yes Schedule charging sessions that take advantage of off-peak energy rates, and monitor your charger status through the myWallbox app. Connect via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. | No | 3 Years Extends your warranty for one or three years. So you can enjoy your Wallbox to the fullest and don’t have to worry about a thing. | Available with Type 1 and Type 2 charging cables. Comes Tethered Only, choose between a 5m or 7m cable. | Optional Extra | Certified water and dust resistant with IP54 and IK08 protection ratings. Perfect for indoors or outdoors. | Yes | Yes |
| EO Mini Pro 2 | ✔️Locking feature to prevent others from using your charger. ✔️Conforms to international safety standards. | Single Phase up to 7.2kW. Charger can be set between 1.4kW and 7.4kW. Suitable for lower rated supplies. | ££ | Yes Remote control, scheduling and monitoring. | Yes | 3 Years | Tethered or Untethered. Choose between a Universal socket or Tethered (Type 1 or 2) charger. | Yes | Indoor & Outdoor IP54 fully weather resistant. | Yes | Yes |
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 installed, 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!
