What Are the Factors That Impact the Cost of an Electric Car Charger?

Charging an electric vehicle is as simple as charging a mobile phone – just plug it into a power source and let it do the rest. You will need an electric car charger, which is a dedicated structure that uses mains electricity to charge electric vehicles. It can be done in three ways – at home, at work, and in public places.

1. Understanding electric car charger

Electric vehicles use lithium-ion batteries that are sensitive to extreme temperatures. Fast charging generates too much heat compared to slow and fast chargers that generate less heat, which can damage the battery's lifespan. While fast charging may be useful when you're in a hurry, prolonged use may have adverse effects on your electric vehicle. Having an electric car charger at home will allow you to charge your car when needed, without relying on fast charging stations in public places. When it comes to charging your car battery, a home electric car charger is extremely beneficial for those seeking convenience and cost effectiveness.

2. Factors that affect the cost of electric car charger

Charging output

There are various electric car chargers with various output capacities. The higher the charging output, the higher the cost. Models that can handle a maximum of 3kW power will be much cheaper than those with 22kW power, and whichever model you choose will have significant cost implications for your electric car charger.

Charging cable length

Most cables range from 15 to 25 meters in length, and if you need more than the standard length to ensure your car is connected to the charging point, you will have to pay extra.

Charging port location

The ideal location for an electric car charger is where you usually park your car, and where the cable can easily connect to the socket. In most cases, this may be in the garage, and additional cables may be required to install the system correctly, which naturally adds additional costs.

Labour costs

The cost of the installation process is divided into material costs and labour costs, accounting for 80% and 20% of the total cost, respectively. Typical installation work takes about 2 to 4 hours to complete but may vary depending on model specifications, site accessibility, and any other work required to ensure the system operates efficiently.

Other additional costs

Many other things can add to the overall cost of electric car chargers. These include high-gain antennas, miniature circuit breakers, consumer unit replacements, mechanical protection, alternative grounding systems, new lanes, safety lights, and other safety features.