How To Install a Home Car Charger for Your New EV?

There has been a buzz coming out of the automotive industry lately with more and more car manufacturers introducing new electric vehicles. The Irish Government has committed to carbon neutrality by 2050, encouraging citizens to go electric. More than 900 000 vehicles may be electric by 2030.

There are many reasons for an electric car: EVs are quiet, reliable and smooth. However, most potential EV owners might be concerned about the EV charging process. Most of the time, the best way to fill up your electric vehicle is at home. For this, you will have to install an EV charger. Here are some things you should know about:

1. To safely fill up your car, you only need the baseline EV charging unit. Everything else is extra.
2. Even though most properties are equipped with common electrical systems, many of them have a unique setup. It is necessary to hire a certified installer to ensure that your home electrical system can support an electric charger that will draw about 32 amps continuously for many hours.
3. Remember that everyone who purchased a new or second-hand EV since 2018 is eligible for a governmental grant of €600. There are a few requirements to meet, and you have to apply for it and get a Letter of Offer from SEAI before installation. 

Baseline EV Charging Unit

There is a wide choice of 32amps wallboxes for home EV charging. The baseline ones are, for instance, EO mini, QUBEV, Rolec, EV Box, ABL. More advanced home chargers that are common in Ireland are Zappi, Wallbox and Ohme.

The prices for a standard unit range from €300 to €400, although tethered EV chargers are usually about €100 more expensive.

Installation Process and Cost

If you decided to apply for an SEAI grant and received the Letter of Offer, you have half a year to go through your electric charger installation process. According to SEAI requirements, you can only address a fully qualified electrician registered with Safe Electric Ireland to do this work. Upon completion, you and your electrician should fill out the Payment Request Form.

The cost of installation varies with location. Major cities cost more than rural areas. On average, it should be between €200 to €400. Pay attention if the site survey, certification and grant application are included in the service price. 

Additional Costs

The site survey can determine if the place meets the baseline electrical schema for you to have the most budget installation. Alternatively, a survey of your property may reveal requirements over and above the standard scheme. Extra requirements will increase cost in terms of hardware, for example:

• Cables. The baseline distance from a EV charger to an electrical source is up to 10 meters. In case the distance is more, you will need to pay for an extra cable. In some cases, it should be of a higher standard to avoid electrical losses.
• Solar Panel. Consider a smart wallbox that can use solar energy for your home car charger if you have or plan to install solar panels.
• Load Management. You need to obtain a load management unit if your property has an appliance that uses more than 3kw of electricity. A separate load may cost up to €200.

One of the benefits of having an electric vehicle is never having to stop at the gas station.

However, it is only possible if you have a home car charger installed. We encourage you to contact a reputable chargepoint installer. The professional electrician will survey your house, help you choose the most suitable electric charger and complete the installation. The contractor will also take care of the paperwork. So, that you can get a €600 grant if you are applicable.