If you are considering purchasing an EV home charger one of the most popular questions is where does it go? The location of your EV home charger does make a difference when it comes to installation cost, convenience, safety and how easy it is to access and use daily. In this blog post we will look at the deciding factors on where your EV home charger should be placed and what’s best for your home.
Why Does Location Matters?
1. Cable length –
The further your charger is from your vehicle means you will require more cable. This may lead to an increase in installation costs and more commonly with a longer charging lead the voltage can drop, meaning the charging efficiency is affected.
2. Safety –
You don’t want your EV Charger to be a trip hazard to anyone. As well as this, it needs to be protected from any other passing vehicles and if possible bad weather conditions, while still being easily accessible to your vehicle.
3. Future thoughts –
In the future you may get a new car or even an additional EV Charger meaning you need to allow room for these factors when choosing where to place your Home EV Charger.
4. Installation cost –
The closer that your charger is to your consumer unit means there will be less installation costs as less labour/work is needed to make the charger fit and work efficiently.
5. Connectivity –
If your EV charger is a smart app controlled, you will ideally want the charger placed somewhere with a good connection or Wi-Fi.
Pros and Cons of Common Home EV Charger Locations
1. Garage wall (interior)
Pros – Fully sheltered from all weather conditions, the EV Charger will be near your vehicle that needs power, it is easier to make the cabling look tidier within the walls as nothing is outside and even better if your garage already has access to your consumer unit for power.
Cons – If your garage is detached or far away from your consumer unit and power supply then the cable may be long and installation costs higher and if the garage is tight and has limited room then a long cable may interfere with opening and closing the door.
2. Garage wall (exterior)
Pros – This allows easier access to the Home EV Charger to your vehicle without having to keep opening your garage, if it is on the side of your garage, it will still be protected somewhat from poor weather conditions and if your vehicle is parked next to the charger, then the cable will run cleanly allowing more efficient charging.
Cons – Despite having some form of protection from bad weather it will still be exposed to it and if the EV Home Charger is mounted at an awkward height, it may become difficult to plug/unplug for yourself. Our Installer will ensure you are happy with the placement of the Home EV Charger before installing.
3. House wall (next to driveway)
Pros – This is the most common location as it offers easy access to both your vehicle and the EV Charger and there is very minimal disruption to any cabling if your consumer unit is near the house, which in most cases they are.
Cons – The EV Charger itself will be visible if you care about the aesthetic of your home, the installer may have to work around windows, doors or gas pipes etc to fit the charger in a suitable place. Another thing to consider is if you have a big drive or with multiple spaces, the charger needs to be able to reach wherever it is installed.
4. Exterior wall of a detached building
Pros – If your home has no suitable placement for an EV Charger and outer building may be the only option, however, if this is closer to where you park your vehicle this may be better for you and limit any installation costs and the cable run to your vehicle.
Cons – If you need to run a cable from the consumer unit to the detached building this may cost a lot more in installation costs as it may involve a lot of labour work, you may also need permission if you are digging across the property.
What you should ask/confirm with the installer?
- Show them where you park your vehicle usually and where the charging port is located on your vehicle.
- Where will the cables run? And how much potential trenching is needed?
- Where will the EV Charger be positioned, relative to the vehicle and any potential obstacles?
- Can your existing power supply handle the amount of power the EV Home Charger requires? Or will you need to upgrade?
- Confirm with the installer that where the charger is placed and installed has good connection or Wi-Fi availability so the smart app control can work efficiently.
- Will the cables be out of sight? To keep it looking tidy and to limit any tripping hazards.
All these questions are relative to the EV Home Charger and should be asked or considered upon installation. Our professional installer will be able to answer any queries you may have and can ensure you of a high-quality installation. Whether you require a standard or bespoke installation you need to ensure the chosen location of your Home EV Charger is suitable for your daily needs.
Conclusion
Deciding on where to put your EV Home Charger may not sound like the biggest factor you need to consider when purchasing an EV Charger. However, it is crucial to get the position of it right to ensure that you get the best use out of it for you and your vehicle. If you choose the wrong place for it to be installed this will only lead to more work later down the line, meaning additional costs to have someone come out and replace/redo the installation.
If you are ready for an EV Home Charger, we are ready to help you install your new charger.
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 EV Home Charger.
