When making the switch to an electric vehicle, or if you are planning to, the biggest change for new electric vehicle drivers is working out how to charge their vehicle at home. Installing an EV home charger is one of the most convenient ways you can keep your car ready to use daily. In this blog, we will go through the top tips that you need to look at and consider when it comes to having an EV home charger. Every new or existing electric vehicle driver should know how they can benefit from home charging and how it makes life easier.
Install the Right EV Home Charger for Your Needs
Not all EV home chargers are the same; you need to consider your driving habits and think about what you require from your charger. Some chargers are faster than others, and some come with additional smart features. If you are driving longer distances daily, you may require a faster charger, which will save you time by gaining a quick charge. If you are only using your vehicle for shorter commutes, then a standard charger may be sufficient. You must understand what you require from your EV home charger, so that you do not end up wasting money on features that you may not use.
Take Advantage of Off-Peak Tariffs
One of the biggest advantages of home charging is the ability to use cheaper electricity rates compared to public charging stations. Most UK energy suppliers offer off-peak tariffs, usually overnight. This means that by setting your EV home charger to run during these hours, you are able to cut the cost of energy usage. For example, charging between midnight may cost you half the price compared to if you were charging during the daytime.
Make Charging Part of Your Daily Routine
It may sound obvious, but ensuring that you are constantly using your charger and getting the best use out of it is key. Many people find it easiest to plug in their vehicle as soon as they get home and leave it to get a full charge overnight. This ensures that you never forget to charge your vehicle and do not have to panic in the morning trying to find a public charger if you have forgotten to charge your car.
Keep an Eye on Your Energy Use
Most modern EV home chargers come with an app on your phone, which can allow you to track your energy consumption. It is good to be able to compare how much energy you are using compared to other household appliances. Monitoring your usage also allows you to spot trends and patterns. This may show you that you are charging your vehicle for too long when you do not need to be. Keeping an eye on the energy use may allow you to save money and cut costs in the future.
Do Not Always Charge to 100%
Most electric vehicle manufacturers suggest charging to around 80% for daily use. This is because the batteries will last longer when they are not constantly being pushed to their maximum capacity. It is suggested that you should only charge to 100% if you are planning a long journey.
Plan for Longer Trips Well in Advance
Home charging is perfect for daily use and commuting. However, if you are planning a long journey, you need to ensure that your vehicle is fully charged the night before. Many rural areas do not have many public charging stations, so it is essential that you have a full charge before starting your journey and that you plan your route in case you do need to stop at a charging station.
Keep Your Charger Accessible and Safe
When having a home EV charger installed, make sure you are thinking about practicality. Ensure that it is installed somewhere easy to access and ideally near where your vehicle will be parked. When choosing our charge, our professional installer will ensure that your home EV charger is installed in the safest and most practical place possible.
Use Smart Features
If your EV home charger has smart features available, make sure that you are using them to get the best out of the charger. You can schedule charging, monitor the charge and start/stop the charge via remote app control. For example, you can schedule your vehicle to start charging at midnight, so that it is charging during off-peak hours, saving you money whilst still waking up to a fully charged vehicle. With our charger, we also offer voice integration with Alexa and Google Assistant.
Stay Flexible with Charging Habits
One of the main lessons people have learnt is that you do not need to charge your vehicle every single night. If you are only doing small commutes to work every day, you may only need to charge your vehicle twice a week. Charging less often can extend battery life and reduce unnecessary energy use.
Think About the Future
When having an EV home charger installed, you need to consider futureproofing. If you are thinking about upgrading your vehicle and it has a larger battery, you need to consider having a more powerful charger installed. Choosing an EV home charger with all of the features available now may save you hassle and money in the future.
Conclusion
Overall, having an EV home charger installed is one of the biggest benefits you can have as an electric vehicle driver. At first, it may seem like a big expense compared to just using public charging stations, but over the time, you will notice that you are saving money by charging overnight during off-peak hours, when energy costs are at their lowest. By making home charging part of your daily routine, you make it easier to plan ahead and monitor your energy usage.
If you are looking to buy an EV home charger, take into consideration all the things we have discussed in this blog and make the right choice.
If you wish to purchase an EV home charger, please look at our website, where you can find all the information you need about our 7kW smart home EV charger.
https://evhomechargeruk.co.uk/product/7kw-smart-home-ev-charger/
Go directly to our website and press Buy Now, order your charger directly, inclusive of free delivery and site installation survey.
You will then be sent a comprehensive installation fixed price quotation, and we will then take care of DNO requirements and Building Regulation sign-off compliant paperwork on successful completion of the Installation. Guarantees: 3 years EV Charger Only. 5 years EV Charger and us fitting.
