Types and Benefits of Home Electric Car Chargers

Types of electric car chargers for home use

If you want to install an electric car charging station at home, you need a basic understanding of each type of charger, its functions, and compatibility with your vehicle. Home electric car chargers come in two different levels; Level 1 and Level 2, with the former being considered slow and the latter considered fast. The type of charger you need depends on the brand and model of your electric car.

A Level 1 electric car charger requires no special installation and is provided with your electric car. All you have to do is plug your Level 1 charger into a standard 120-volt outlet, and you're good to go. A Level 2 electric car charger requires a 240-volt power supply and offers the benefit of faster charging. However, they require special installation procedures because standard outlets provide only 120-volt power. This process is similar to installing a washing machine or oven that uses 240-volt power. It is also possible to charge electric cars with ordinary 3-pin sockets, but this is not recommended and only used as a backup option and is rarely used.

Are home electric vehicle chargers worth it?

Convenience

Home electric car chargers allow you to charge your car anytime, anywhere. Forget waiting for your turn at public EV charging stations or even having to leave the comfort of your home to charge the battery. Dedicated home charging points are also safer than regular 3-pin sockets and usually faster, experts recommend occasional use, only in emergencies, as prolonged use can have adverse effects on the overall health of the battery.

Reduce dependence on public charging stations

Since electric cars are relatively new and slowly entering the mass market, there aren't too many charging stations available. Although the number is rapidly increasing, there is still a long way to go. Some areas may have many public charging stations while others may have none at all. This is particularly true for rural and remote areas where charging stations are still scarce. If you live in such an area, a personal charging station can be particularly useful because most of your charging needs can be met at home, especially if you have a long-range car with a larger battery.

More affordable

Using a home electric car charger can be much cheaper than using public charging stations. The cost of using an electric car charger is less than half that of installing a charger for public use. Additionally, you can schedule charging during the most cost-effective time, usually at night, to save you some extra cost.