It is clear that electric cars have now come of age and have the battery range to accommodate the travelling needs of most of the UK population. The next couple of years will see a veritable flood of new, advanced EV’s capable of travelling up to 300 miles or more. Yes, they are more expensive than fossil-fuelled cars right now, although they do attract a government subsidy, but the other side of the coin is that they are cheap to fuel. Best of all this is something that can be done at home.
Should the need arise, public or workplace charging points are increasing  around the country so topping up using a charging cable from the EV Cable Shop should not be a problem; but with increased vehicle range this may not be so much of an issue in forthcoming years. In any event, it is possible to get a 50-80% top-up from a fast charging point in as little as thirty minutes, so it should not be too much of a chore. Better still charge a vehicle overnight at home and the need for public facilities, for the most part, becomes less necessary.
Charging At Home
For most users, electricity comes out of the wall and we pay for it. We charge our devices and run our central heating but don’t really concern ourselves with how it is made or how it gets to the property. What every sensible person knows however is that it is not something to be trifled with; it can’t be seen but it certainly can hurt. That’s why it is important for any electric appliance to be treated with the greatest of respect, and, unless the home owner is truly and fully electrically competent, should only be handled by a qualified person.
There’s a reason for that: Obviously personal safety is paramount but also, inevitably, there are rules. Since 2005, all electrical work in properties in England and Wales, either DIY or professional, must meet the requirements of Building Regulations, amended in 2013. The relevant part states that anyone carrying out electrical work in a dwelling must ensure that reasonable provision has been made in the design and installation of the electrical installations to protect people and dwellings from fire and injury, including electric shock. Consult the experts.
Now, charging an electric car at home overnight makes absolute sense and in almost all circumstances will provide a fully-charged EV ready to go with ample range come the morning. A user can use a standard three-pin socket to do the job but it’s very slow and not recommended long term. Instead it is best to fit a smart home wall charger.
Different Types of Home Charging Stations
Some manufacturers offer, at extra cost, to fit a home wall charger that suits their car, which is fine, but it may not be adaptable if the car subsequently gets changed. The solution is to fit a universal home charger that may only require a new charging cable when it’s time for a new motor.
Home chargers can fit on the garage wall or outside on the property to charge on the driveway. There is a wide variety on offer. The most basic provide an overnight charge safety, but not especially quickly. More expensive models have universal fittings and a variety of useful software features depending upon price and offer fast charging. Whether for domestic motoring or for business users’ electric cars are now beginning to make total sense. Choose the ideal car and then shop around for a good deal from a qualified supplier and fitter of home wall chargers and make visiting petrol station a thing of the past.
