Installing a wallbox is the easiest, most cost-effective solution for charging an electric vehicle hassle-free. Before purchasing a home charging station, we would like to give you some tips to avoid unexpected hitches when installing the equipment and provide you with an optimum charging experience!
1. Know your electrical installation
A single-phase electrical installation does not deliver power in the same way as a three-phase installation. This means that your installation will determine the configuration of the right charging station to purchase. To find out what type of installation you have, you can check your tariff contract or look at your meter, which may display this information.
2. Choosing the right charging station for your electrical installation
There is a broad range of wallboxes on the market boasting different power ratings. Before installing a wallbox, you will need to find out about the power rating of your installation. This is what we recommend to select a charging station with the correct electrical power rating:
- If you have a single-phase installation, you can choose the vehicle and charging station you want. There is no impact on the charging speed – it’s the price of the charging station that counts.
- With a three-phase installation, it is highly recommended that all the component parts (charging station, installation and EV) be three-phase so that the power rating is not limited.
Once you know the power rating of the charging station you need to install, you can choose the one that best suits your needs.
3. Opting for a smart charging station
If you install a smart charging station, you can charge your EV at the same time as using other appliances connected to your power supply without the risk of exceeding your tariff contract. This dynamic charging feature is essential if you want to cut costs instead of prioritising fast charging for your EV.
4. Think about the cable length for your charging station
When you select a sufficiently long cable to go between the location of your charging station and the position of your EV charging port, you are opting for the comforts in life. The cable is easier to handle if you have a bit of extra length. And you can charge your EV whichever way it is facing in relation to the location of the charging station.
5. Choosing an installer to install your charging station
In the UK, your charging station should be installed by an accredited professional (registered with NICEIC or OZEV). To find a home installer near you and request a quote, you can visit the website https://www.zap-map.com/charge-points/charging-home/.
Your home charging station should be installed in the most accessible and practical location for everyday charging. Mister EV charging stations can be wall-mounted with screws inside or outside your home.
6. The cost of installing a charging station
The cost of installing a charging station varies according to the charging station selected and the extent of work to be carried out by the installer.
The cost of buying and installing a home charging station typically ranges from £800 to £1,200, averaging out at £1,000 (source: The ecoexperts). The cost depends on the power rating and features of the home chargepoint. The cost can be cut down by applying for the relevant government grants.
The price of home charging is the most attractive for an electric car driver. You can compare charging costs for your vehicle on a charging calculator tool.
7. Insurance coverage for your home charging station
Once an accredited professional has installed your home chargepoint, you should think about contacting your insurance company to check out whether the installation in your home or on your property is covered by your insurance policy.
8. Check your electricity tariff contract
People often think that a home chargepoint will always charge to its maximum capacity. However, the current available is dependent on how many of your household appliances are running at the same time, as well as other sources which may also be consuming the power supply (ventilation system, lights etc.).
To guarantee rapid charging with a single-phase installation, it is recommended to opt for a tariff contract with 9kVA minimum. In three-phase, a tariff contract of 12 kVA minimum is sufficient for rapid EV charging at home. When we refer to a tariff contract in kVA (kilovolt ampere), we are talking about the maximum power threshold your meter cannot exceed when all your electrical appliances are in operation at the same time.
9. Charging from your home charging station
Once your charging station is installed, you have the green light to charge your EV! Take advantage of fast charging at home by installing a home charging point. Your charging time can be reduced if you use a charging station rather than merely charging from a domestic power socket.
10. Benefit from government grants for installing a charging station at home
For some years now, the UK government has set up grant schemes for buying and installing home charging points. Under the new scheme (October 2022), people living in rented accommodation and flat owner-occupiers with dedicated off-street parking facilities are eligible for the OZEV grant which can cover up to 75% of purchasing and installation costs (capping at £350). You can only claim for one chargepoint per eligible vehicle and per household.
Landlords and property managers may be in a position to claim an additional £500 per bay (maximum 60 bays) via the EV infrastructure grant for equipping car parks belonging to apartment blocks. (Source pod-point.com)
New schemes are frequently introduced, so don’t miss out on any new grant opportunities by keeping in touch with the latest news (www.gov.uk/government/organisations/office-for-zero-emission-vehicles).
Do you need a guiding hand before buying a charging station?
For all information about choosing the right charging station for you, taking your electrical installation and EV into account, our technical experts are at hand to help. Mister EV has designed a wall-mounted charging station with an attached cable, to which you need to add a socket with an on/off switch so that you can cut off the power supply. If you also install the Velocy Sense single-phase or Velocy Sense three-phase radio module, you will really be cutting back on the cost of charging your EV.
Over to you!
Excellent contact by phone, clear explanations and equipment rapidly received. I bought a VELOCY BOX charger and I’m really happy with it! Very serious company that I heartily recommend. - GG58
Order received very rapidly, well packaged and charging station well protected. Easy to install (power supply line from the fuse-board carried out by a professional, already planned when the house was built). Wireless box to manage charging depending on energy being consumed by the household – already connected up to the charging station. It’s the only charging point on the market to propose a wireless solution at a decent price without having to use a smartphone! Quality of equipment and assembly exudes a sense of reliability. The waterproofing seal slots naturally into place – a real joy to behold! A real boon to charge much, much faster than with a conventional power outlet (e.g.: Zoé R135 charged to 71%: conventional socket 8hrs 45mins – with charging station 2hrs 10mins at -2 degrees!!!) and also savings by only charging at off-peak times. We are absolutely delighted with our purchase! A whole bundle of thanks to the Mister EV Team for their advice during our email exchanges. - Olivier
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