Electric and hybrid cars are becoming increasingly popular. There were more electric cars registered in March 2022 alone than in 2019! It’s a change coming for all with the 2030 ban on petrol and diesel cars. But to make driving an electric vehicle convenient for your lifestyle, you need to be able to charge your vehicle at home easily.
Time is yet to tell what vehicle charging points at home will do to property valuations. However, we anticipate that having high-quality, reliable home charging points and suitable space will make properties increasingly attractive to buyers. So here we take you through the basics of what you need to know about electric vehicle chargers for your home.
Why place an electric vehicle charger at home?
We’re not going into the pros and cons of electric vehicles, except that we’re all moving that way, so no one can ignore the need for at-home charging. But beyond this, being able to charge your vehicle at home will work out much cheaper than filling up at a petrol station, even with the price hikes in utility costs. At-home charging is also more cost-effective than charging at dedicated charging points unless you are one of the few to have free points with regular access.
However, the main advantage of having a charging point at home is convenience. Your vehicle naturally spends prolonged hours sitting on your driveway or in the garage. You don’t need to make additional journeys; it fits into your lifestyle.
What does your property need?
Ensuring your property has ample space for charging electric vehicles is an important consideration and is the primary stumbling block people face. In addition, the parking and charging area needs to be sufficiently close to the property so that power can reach the car.
You then need to install a wall box. Of course, you can manage without, but charging your car via a standard three-pin plug will be painfully time-consuming, making it nearly impossible to use the car regularly. A wall box also ensures there aren’t any dangerous cables running from the property to the vehicle.
Which electric wall box to get for charging your vehicle at home?
Next, you need to consider a range of different factors.
First, consider if you want a tethered or untethered wall unit. The power lead is attached to a tethered box. It is effectively ‘plug and go’ and very simple. Untethered boxes require you to change the lead (perhaps from Type 1 to Type 2) as you need. Most new electric vehicles you would charge at home need a Type 2 lead.
Next, consider the power option. For at-home charging, you can choose up to 7.4kW. Lower power rates equal lower costs but take longer to charge.
What about a smart charger?
Smart chargers allow you to charge your car remotely, usually via a phone app. They can be helpful to put you in control from the comfort of being inside your house. Most wall box chargers are now smart chargers.
How much does it cost to install an electric wall box at home?
The cost of installing a home wall box varies enormously depending on your choice. However, all are cost-effective, and you can expect to recoup the money in time as you won’t be spending as much on fuel.
Additionally, the Government offers the EV chargepoint grant, which provides funding for up to 75% of the cost of installing a charge point at home, including smart versions. However, it is capped and has restrictions, so be aware.
Consider electric vehicles when you buy property
With the shift towards electric vehicles over the next few years, choosing a property that lends itself to installing charge points convenient to your lifestyle or already has charge points is essential. So when viewing properties, ensure this is at the front of your mind.
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