Owning an Electric Vehicle (EV) is one thing but having the right EV charger to charge it regularly is another. You cannot visit public charging stations every time you need to charge your vehicle. However, you need to take care of a plethora of aspects to ensure that you purchase the right EV charger for your home. From budget planning to the type of EV car battery and energy efficiency, there are so many things to keep in mind to make an informed decision.
Thus, in this buying guide, we shall look into all the important aspects that are necessary to consider while buying the best EV charger. So, let’s check out more details below!
5 Things To Consider Before Buying The Best EV Charger
Since there is no perfect criteria to pick the right EV charger for your home, you need to take care of a few things to pick the best one in a jiffy.
1. Charger Level
There are currently three charging levels, but since the third one is only limited to commercial use, we shall discuss only two charger levels to select from. Just make sure that your electrical requirements are fully met.
Level 1
This is a free charger that you get with most EV sales that can be plugged into your home’s standard outlet. This is useful for low-mileage drivers who just require nozzle cords to plug in their home’s plug. It comes with a 120-volt regular plug however, it is considerably slower than the other one.
Level 2
With an 8 times faster charging mechanism, this charger is great and takes just a few hours to finish charging completely. This is a little more complex with an expensive setup. So, keep your budget set aside to invest in this. It exhibits 240 volts of charge through the wall unit set in your garage.
2. Plug-in or Hardwire Chargers
Remember the plug-in units are portable and can be easily moved to a new place whereas the hardwire chargers offer a permanent installation so that your EV gets connected and charged directly via the home’s power supply. Hardwiring is a must if your chargers deliver a charge higher than 40 amps.
For Plug-in chargers, the installation and replacement are quite easy however, they come at a higher cost. It is because the electrician needs to install an electrical receptacle in case there is no 240-volt outlet nearby.
3. Opt for a certified Charger only
Always go for UL-certified chargers that are tested for safety and prolonged use. UL refers to the Underwriters Laboratory which is a nonprofit safety organization that ensures testing of chargers independently to deem it safe for animals and children. In any case, it is essential to keep children and pets away from these chargers to ensure their safety.
Some Last Words
Buying an EV charger is crucial to keep your vehicle charged as and when required. So, you must keep all the above-mentioned pointers in mind to make your investment worthwhile. We hope this guide helps you in getting a charger that provides more convenience and efficiency without any hassle.