An EV charger installation at your Bracknell home makes EV ownership simple, allowing you to plug in your EV in the evening and have it fully charged and ready to go again the next morning.
Thames Valley Electricians are your local electrician in Bracknell. Fully qualified and highly experienced, our electricians are here to answer your questions about EV charger installation.
Is my home suitable for an EV charger installation?
The main requirement for an EV charger installation at your Bracknell home is an off-street parking area such as a driveway or garage. Beyond this there are a few checks that the electrician who installs your EV charger will need to make. They will need to inspect your driveway to ensure the site is safe for the EV charger installation. They will be checking that there are no metal or electrical objects too close to the chosen installation site as these can pose a safety risk. Your electrician will also need to ascertain whether your current fuse board meets the current safety standards for an EV charger installation and can handle the increased power demands. If your fuse board is unsuitable, they will advise you of the next steps.
Which EV charger should I choose?
Every EV charger has its own features and benefits. As experienced EV installers, our electricians’ will be happy to advise you on the suitability of each model for your specific needs and will help you make an informed decision. We will talk you through the different options and discuss the pros and cons of each.
The questions we will ask include:
- What Power? How fast would you like your car to charge? The faster the charge you require, the higher the power you need. A 7kW charger is the most common choice and will charge the average EV in around 6-8 hours. If a longer charge time is not an issue, then you could select a 3kW charger instead.
- Tethered or Untethered? EV chargers have two types of cable -tethered or untethered. A tethered charger has the cable permanently attached whilst with an untethered style, the cable remains in the car. Untethered chargers can be used by different EVs (providing they have their cable with them) whereas tethered chargers will usually fit a specific model. Untethered chargers are a sleeker, tidier design but do mean you lose some boot space to the cable.
- Design: This one is really a matter of personal taste. You can select a design that fits your home and personal style.
- Additional Features: EV chargers can have a wide range of extra features, including solar panel compatibility or smart functionality. We will discuss these options with you to see which ones would be most appropriate for you.
How long does it take to charge an EV at home?
Whilst there is no doubt that a home EV charger is not as fast as the super chargers found at service stations, home EV charging times will fit around most lifestyles. For the most common battery sizes, under normal conditions, you can expect charging times to be:
- For an electric car with a 32kW battery around 9 hours with a 3kW charging point, and around 4 hours with a 7kW charging point.
- For an electric car with a 40kW battery charging time is around 11 hours with a 3kW charging point, and around 4.5 hours with a 7kW charging point.
- For an electric car with a 60kW battery, it will take around 17 hours to charge with a 3kW charging point, and around 7 hours with a 7kW charging point.
- For an electric car with a 100kW battery a full charge would take around 27 hours with a 3kW charging point, around 11.5 hours with a 7kW charging point, and around 4.5 hours with a 22kW charging point.
As you can see for most cars a 7kw charger will have your car charged in a reasonable amount of time and all from the comfort of your own home. With an EV charger installation at your Bracknell home, there’s no need to plan in a visit to the services and waste your valuable time. You can simply plug in and leave your EV charging whilst you enjoy a restful evening.
If you would like to know more about the possibilities of an EV charger installation at your Bracknell home, Thames Valley Electricians are here to help. Our fully qualified, NICEIC registered electricians have a wealth of experience in EV charger installation. Call us today to arrange your EV charger installation.
