Got questions about EV charger installation
Some of the questions we are asked have been answered below, see if yours is there too
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info@easyevchargepoints.co.uk
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Frequently Asked Questions
How long will it take to charge?
The time it takes to charge an electric car can be as quick as 30 minutes or more than 12 hours. This depends on the size of the battery and the speed of the charging point.
- A typical electric car (60kWh battery) takes just under 8 hours to charge from empty-to-full with a 7kW charging point.
- Most drivers top up charge rather than waiting for their battery to recharge from empty-to-full.
- The bigger your car’s battery and the slower the charging point, the longer it takes to charge from empty to full.
There are 5 main factors that affect the time it takes to charge an electric vehicle.
- Max charging rate of chargepoint: The time it takes to charge will also be limited by the max charging rate of the chargepoint you are using. For example; even if your vehicle can charge at 11kW, it will only charge at 7kW on a 7kW chargepoint.
- Max charging rate of vehicle: You can only charge a vehicle’s battery at the maximum charge rate the vehicle can accept. For example; if your vehicle’s max charge rate is 7kW, you won’t charge any faster by using a 22kW chargepoint.
- Size of battery: The bigger your vehicle’s battery capacity (measured in kWh), the longer it will take to charge.
- State of battery (empty vs. full): If you are charging from empty, it will take longer to charge than if you are topping up from 50%.
- Environmental factors: A colder ambient temperature can make it take slightly longer to charge, particularly when using a rapid charger. Colder temperatures also mean vehicles are less efficient, so less miles are added per time charging.
How much will a typical charge cost me?
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 8p per kWh.
Cost of charging an electric car
Charging a 60kWh electric car at home costs about £16.80 for a full charge at peak rate and is the most convenient and cost-effective way to keep your car fully charged. Most drivers will charge their electric car overnight, waking up to a full battery every morning giving you about 200 miles of range.
What does tethered or untethered mean?
Tethered means is the charging cable is permanently attached or tethered to the charger at that end.
The advantage of tethered cables is they are always ready for use and quicker to use, you don’t have to put a wet cable in the car when finished and they have less connections to overtime become warn.
The advantage of untethered is you can use different connectors for different cars, the charger is cheaper if you already have a lead which may have come with your car.
However, something to consider is that an untethered cable can be removed from your car and charger by unauthorised persons.
How long will it take to install the EV charger
Our lead times vary, please contact us using the “Get your free quote” button so we can capture all the information we need to ensure your installation is carried out as soon as possible. Actual installation times vary but standard installation is usually completed within 3 hours.
Can I use a standard 3-pin plug socket to charge my car?
Yes, you can – but with great caution.
- You’ll need to have your home socket inspected by a qualified electrician to make certain that your wiring is safe for the high electrical load needed
- Make sure you have a socket in a suitable location to take the charging cable: it is NOT safe to use an extension cable for recharging your car
- This method of charging is very slow – around 6-8 hours for a 100-mile range
Using a dedicated car charging point is much safer, cheaper and faster than standard plug sockets.
What is load balancing?
Every household has a limit on the amount of current it can use (Amps). Because an EV Charger is constantly drawing a load eg (32 Amps) it’s important that this doesn’t exceed the maximum limit for your property and blow the main fuse. Load balancing will allow the charger to monitor the amount of current the whole house is using and if it looks like it’s getting near to the limit, will reduce what the charger is using until it is safe to increase it again.
What is OZEV
The Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) provides grants aimed at offering an additional incentive to UK EV drivers. From the 1st April 2022 the grant scheme is no longer open to homeowners, those who live in bungalows, semi detached and detached houses.
The scheme remains open to:
- Occupiers of rental accommodation
- Landlords
- Homeowners who live in flats
- Workplaces and businesses
The value of the grant per charge point is currently £350 which can be used against the cost of the EV charger and installation. More information can be found on the OZEV Government website.
3 steps to get your EV home charger installation
1
Complete our online quote form and answer a few questions to get you going
2
Receive your free no obligation quote, ask any questions and accept it if you’re happy
3
We’ll then arrange a time with you to complete the installation and any additional paper work
What areas do we cover?
We’re based in High Wycombe in Buckinghamshire but work throughout the county installing EV charge points covering homes and business with many different types of electric vehicles. Some of the areas we cover are:
- EV Charger Installation High Wycombe
- EV Charger Installation Amersham
- EV Charger Installation Aylesbury
- EV Charger Installation Marlow
- EV Charger Installation Gerrards Cross
- EV Charger Installation Slough
- EV Charger Installation Beaconsfield
- EV Charger Installation Maidenhead
- EV Charger Installation Downley
- EV Charger Installation Bourne End
- EV Charger Installation Chesham
- EV Charger Installation Napp Hill
