How to install an electric car charger at home?

The purchase of electric cars is on the rise and with it the need for a charging point in the home is pressing. If you Install an electric car charger in your garage not only saves you time and money, but also contributes to environmental conservation. What more could you ask for?

In Spain, despite the growing interest in electric vehicles, there is still a shortage of charging points on the roads. This can be a problem for those who travel outside cities and need to charge their electric cars on the road. In addition, charging speeds are often slow, which can delay journeys.

Therefore, in today’s article we present some advantages of having a charging point for electric cars at home, as well as the different types of chargers and power available and the steps to follow to install them safely.

With a charging station in your garage, you’ll never have to worry about running out of power on the road. Here is a list of the advantages of having a charging station for your electric vehicle at home:

Time savings: You won’t have to rely on public charging stations and you can charge your electric car while doing other activities at home.

Greater convenience: Having a charging point at home makes life easier. In addition, if you have renewable energy at home, by charging your electric car you will be contributing to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Saving money: By not having to pay for charging at public charging stations, you can save money in the long run. In addition, at home you can use the night hours to make a complete recharge of the vehicle, taking advantage of the cheapest daylight hours.

Greater independence: You will not have to worry about the availability of public charging stations on your route. In addition, you should know that quick recharges at public points accelerate battery degradation. Therefore, doing it on a regular basis, reduces the useful life of the vehicle.

Electric vehicles can be charged in a variety of ways and there are different types of chargers and power ratings available. Let’s see what we’re talking about!

Level 1: Level one chargers are the most basic and are used with a standard 120-volt alternating current (AC) plug. These plugs typically have a charging rating of up to 1.4 kilowatts and can take several hours to fully charge an electric vehicle.

Level 2: Level two chargers are slightly more powerful and are used with a 240-volt AC plug. These plugs have a charging power of between 3.3 and 19 kilowatts and can charge an electric vehicle in a few hours.

Level 3: Level three chargers, also known as fast chargers, are the most powerful chargers and are used with a high voltage direct current (DC) plug. These plugs have a charging power of more than 50 kilowatts and can charge an electric vehicle in just a few minutes.

In addition to these chargers for single-family homes, there are also portable chargers that can be carried in the vehicle and used anywhere there is a standard AC outlet. These chargers typically have a charging capacity of up to 3 kilowatts.

Far from what you may think, installing a charging point at home for your plug-in vehicle is not such a difficult task. Before getting down to work, there are a few important things to keep in mind to ensure a safe and efficient installation. We explain them to you!

The first thing you should do is make sure your home has the electrical capacity to support an electric vehicle charger. This involves checking your electrical service and, if necessary, upgrading it to support the additional power.

Once you have verified that your home has the necessary electrical capacity, you should choose the type of charger that best suits your needs. As you know, there are different types of chargers, from basic Level 1 chargers to Level 3 fast chargers, each with different power levels and charging speeds.

After you have chosen the right charger, you should hire a qualified electrician to perform the installation. Be sure to choose an electrician who is experienced in fitting electric vehicle chargers to ensure the installation of an electric car charger at home.

Finally, it is important to make sure you have the necessary permits and inspections before you do the renovation. This may vary depending on where you live and you should check local regulations before you begin.