A home EV charger is a device that is installed at your home to recharge your electric vehicle (EV). It is an essential accessory for EV owners who want the convenience and security of charging their vehicles at home.

While EVs come with a charger that you can use to charge your car, investing in a home EV charger can offer faster charging times, greater convenience, and cost savings.

Public fast chargers can be crowded, limited in availability, and potentially unreliable, making a home charger a more reliable and convenient option.

Faster charging times: Home EV chargers are typically faster than the standard charger that comes with your car, and can fully charge your vehicle in just a few hours.

Convenience: With a home charger, you can charge your car overnight while you sleep, without having to worry about driving to a public charging station.

Cost savings: Public charging stations can be expensive, and the costs can quickly add up if you use them frequently. With a home charger, you can save money by charging your car at a lower rate during off-peak hours.

Limited availability: Public charging stations can be crowded, especially during peak hours, and you may have to wait in line to use them.

Distance limitations: Depending on the location of public charging stations, you may not be able to access them if you live in a rural area or if you need to travel long distances.

Reliability: Public charging stations can sometimes be out of service or malfunction, leaving you without a charging option when you need it most.

Degradation: Using a public charger too often can rapidly degrade your EV battery - read more below for how this can happen, as well as tips on better charging habits.

Using a fast charger can potentially degrade your electric vehicle (EV) battery over time. Here are a few reasons why:

Heat generation: Fast charging can generate a lot of heat, which can cause your battery to degrade faster. When your battery gets hot, it can cause the lithium-ion cells inside to break down more quickly, reducing the overall capacity of the battery.

Charge cycles: Fast charging typically involves charging your battery to a higher percentage than slower charging. This can increase the number of charge cycles your battery goes through, which can also contribute to degradation over time.

Battery chemistry: The chemistry of lithium-ion batteries can make them more susceptible to degradation when they are charged too quickly. Over time, the battery is not able to hold a charge can decrease, reducing the overall range of your EV.

Avoid frequent use: If possible, try to use fast charging only when you really need it, and use slower charging methods whenever possible.

Keep your battery cool: If you are using a fast charger, try to keep your battery as cool as possible by parking in the shade or in a cooler environment.

Monitor your battery health: Keep an eye on the overall health of your battery, and if you notice any significant changes in its performance or range, consider having it checked by a professional.

By being mindful of how you use fast charging and taking steps to minimize potential degradation, you can help extend the life of your EV battery and maximize your overall driving range.

This will depend on the solution you choose and how close your home’s electrical system is to what that charger requires. They usually need to be wired directly to your main switchboard, so they have their own circuit with a suitable fuse and robust wiring. The total power your home could potentially use, after your new charger is installed, may also need to be taken into account.

It is not recommended to install a home EV charger yourself unless you are a registered electrician and have experience in electrical wiring and are familiar with local electrical codes. Improper installation can result in electrical hazards or damage to your vehicle, property or people. It is recommended to hire a licensed electrician to ensure the installation is done safely and correctly. Installation by an unregistered electrician also risks voiding the warranty of your EV charger.

The time it takes to charge an EV at home depends on the charging speed of the charger and the battery size of the vehicle. Typically, a home EV charger can fully charge an EV in 4 to 8 hours.

Yes, a home EV charger requires a dedicated electrical circuit with a specific voltage and amperage. An electrician can help you determine the electrical requirements and install the necessary outlet for your home EV charger.

Most home EV chargers are compatible with different EV models that use the same charging standard. However, it is always recommended to check the compatibility of the charger with your specific EV model before purchasing.

Yes, charging an EV at home is safe as long as the charger is installed properly and according to local electrical codes. It is also recommended to use a charger that is certified by a recognised safety organisation.

Our intelligent EV home chargers connect through Bluetooth or WiFi to a charge management app on your phone.This makes it super-easy to do things like:

Remotely start and stop the charging

Pre-set automatic start and stop times to take advantage of low-cost night rates for power

Control the charging current and the charging speed

Set a maximum percentage charge to help look after your battery

See how long it will take to charge each time

Check how full your battery is in real time while it’s charging

Electrical power, measured in watts (W), can be calculated by multiplying the voltage by the current. Most standard three-pin home power sockets are designed for a current of no more than 10 amps, but 8 amps is more common. That means the portable charger that came with your EV probably has a maximum power output of 240 x 8 = 1,920 watts or about 1.9 kilowatts (kW).

Caravan-type outlets are designed for a current up to 16 amps, which increases the rated power output to 3.8kW. Portable chargers that can be connected to caravan-type outlets are also available.Fast home chargers range from 7.4kW to 22kW.

A 7.4kW single phase charger on a normal 240V supply has a current of up to 32 amps. As mentioned above, that requires a dedicated circuit with some heavy duty wiring.

To avoid currents over 32 amps, chargers higher than 7.4kW require three-phase power. This is a bit like having three separate power supplies sharing the load. Three-phase power can be achieved by running new connections between your home and the street supply, and upgrading your switchboard. A small percentage of homes already have three-phase power for something like a kiln or heavy workshop machinery.

Electric cars have an on-board inverter, or charger, that converts AC electricity to DC to charge the battery. These inverters have a maximum power limit. A Nissan Leaf imported from Japan has an inverter with a maximum rating of 3.6kW, so a 7.4kW home fast charger won’t charge it any quicker than a standard 16 amp 3.8kW caravan-type outlet.

However, most other EV models have on-board inverters rated 6.5kW or higher. This makes a fast home charger a valid investment. On-board inverters are also becoming more and more powerful. For example, the Tesla Model 3 on board inverter is rated at 11kW.