Installing an Electric Vehicle Charging Station on Your Property

Installing an electric vehicle (EV) charging point at your property can be a great way to encourage the use of electric vehicles.

Not only will you be reducing your carbon footprint, but you may also receive financial incentives from the government. This guide will walk you through the process of installing an EV charging point at your property.

What is an EV Charging Point, and why do you Need one on Your Property?

An EV charging point, also known as an electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE), is a device that allows you to recharge your electric vehicle.

As we all know, EVs do not run on fuel or diesel, but instead, use electricity from the grid to power their batteries. The most common way of recharging one is by plugging it into the main power supply.

Recharging EVs is often more convenient than re-filling their fuel or diesel counterparts. With an EV charging point installed, you can recharge your car at home, saving you time and effort from visiting a petrol station to refuel.

What are the Benefits of Having One Installed?

Installing an EV charging point at your property has many benefits.

For example, in some cases, you may be entitled to a government grant when installing one, making the cost much more affordable. In addition, you will also benefit from owning your EV charging point to make recharging your car as easy as possible.

Electric vehicles are still fairly new to the UK, and there is a certain level of unfamiliarity as well as a lack of knowledge surrounding electric vehicles. With this in mind, having an EV charging point at your property can help raise awareness and encourage the people you know to consider switching to an EV.

How to Choose the Right EV Charging Point for Your Needs?

One of the most important decisions when installing an EV charging point is to choose which type you will install.

There are three types of charging points for vehicles: Type 1, Type 2, and Type 3, which come with a cable that plugs into your vehicle, and then the third option is the one commonly known as “the slow charger.” This charges your car at a maximum of 3.6 kW. However, there is also the option of installing an industrial charger, which is commonly used by businesses or homeowners who own more than one electric vehicle.

The next decision you’ll need to make when choosing your charging point is whether you want to charge it using your home’s main power. Or would you like to install a charging point that is powered by solar panels?

A benefit of investing in a mains-powered charger is that you will be able to charge your car at any time, whereas if you choose a solar power system, your charging times will be subject to sunlight.

The Installation Process: Who Will be Responsible for Installing it and How Long Will it Take?

Many factors will determine who is responsible for installing your EV charging point.

The first thing you should do is contact the manufacturer of your vehicle, as they may already provide a service that allows installation to take place at a cost. If the car manufacturer does not offer this type of service, then you’re usually left with two choices on where to get the installation done.

You can either choose a professional third-party company, or you can ask your installer if they will be able to do it on their own. In some instances, an electrician won’t need to visit your home to install the charging point and instead will fit it remotely.

The Cost of Installing an EV Charging Point: How Much Will it Set You Back?

This depends on which type of installer you use, but like anything, there is always a range of prices.

If you take your vehicle manufacturer’s word for it and ask them to install the charging point at their cost, then they may not charge you much at all! However, if you choose to have it installed by an independent company, then you should expect to pay around £1,000.00 for both the installation and certification.

It’s important to understand the difference between vehicle manufacturer-installed charging points and those installed by third-party companies. The former is certified by the supplier, whereas independent ones are not, so you will have no legal recourse if something goes wrong with your EVSE.

Therefore, it is important to make sure the products are certified. Charging points are subject to safety standards set by the IEC 62196-2 standardisation group, so make sure your installation company adheres to these guidelines.

Maintenance and Running Costs of an EV Charging Point

Maintenance is certainly not something many homeowners consider when purchasing the equipment, but it’s important to think about if you’re looking at long-term costs.

It’s all very easy to get an installation company out to your property initially, but how much are you willing to spend on maintenance costs over the years? Will the installer be able to provide you with an individual to take care of your site?

And if not, who will you call in the future when there’s a problem? This is something that should be covered in the contract and agreement before installation begins.

The location you choose for your charging point could also determine what running costs you can expect to pay. Factors such as how many of your appliances use electricity will influence this, so it’s a good idea to think of the machines that are regularly used.

If you have a large family and have more than one car that regularly needs recharging, this could impact the fee you’re charged by an electric company for using a public charging point.

The Different Types of Charging Points

There are two main types of charging points that you can choose from wall-mounted chargers and home-installation charging units.

The former is by far the most common type of charger currently available, but the latter is something you should consider if you have a garage or other outbuilding on your property. This means an electrician will usually need to visit your home to carry out the installation work, but this is usually much cheaper than having an additional wall charger installed.

Before choosing any equipment, you should also consider the different types of connectors you can use with different EVs. Different models come with varying standardised charging points, so you must check what type your chosen vehicle needs before installation work begins.

The Future of Electric Vehicles and the Impact This Will Have on the Demand for Charging Points

It’s obvious to see that the electric vehicle market is growing at a rapid rate right now, but how big will it get in the future?

There are already so many different models on the market, and this number is only set to rise. How long do you think it’ll be before all new cars are fitted with an alternative power source?

With forecasts predicting all new models will be electric within the next 10 years, this is a question worth thinking about.

Summary

The benefits of installing an EV charging point are clear to see, and as electric vehicles become more popular, the demand for charging points will only continue to grow.

If you’re considering installing one at your property, contact us today and we will be happy to advise you on the best option for your needs. We can also take care of the installation process, so you can rest assured that everything will go smoothly.