Should you install an EV charger outside or in your garage?

As the UK government moves forward with plans to end the sale of new diesel or petrol vehicles by 2035 in an attempt to reduce man-made emissions from the atmosphere, electric and hybrid vehicles have significantly increased in popularity.

Though it may take some time to phase out petrol or diesel vehicles completely, the improvement of infrastructure to support the increase of electric cars on the road is making it easier for people to make the decision to move to electric.

The availability of public EV charging points is increasing around the country, and as of June 15th, 2022, all new-build homes in England must have an electric vehicle charging point installed.

This is great news for people buying new builds, but what about those interested in existing properties? This article will take you through everything you need to know about installing an ev charger either outside on your driveway or in your garage.

What Do You Need to Charge a Car at Home?

The convenience of being able to charge your car at home is immeasurable. Not only does it save you from driving to your nearest electric vehicle charging point, but it will also give you peace of mind before a big journey.

To be able to charge your car from home, you will need the following;

• Off-street parking facilities like a garage or driveway.
• An electric vehicle charging point installed in your garage or driveway.
• The necessary charging cables to connect the charger to the vehicle.

How Do You Charge a Car at Home?

When it comes to new technology, a lot of people can be put off by things they don't fully understand. After years of operating petrol or diesel-powered vehicles, the idea of switching to electric might sound like too big a change.

Thankfully, charging and operating an electric vehicle is straightforward, so making the change isn't as challenging as road users might expect.

To charge an electric vehicle, you should always take the time to study the vehicle and charger manuals. After doing this, the following steps will typically allow you to charge your vehicle at home;

• The vehicle should be safely parked near the charger with the handbrake engaged.
• The charging cable should be connected to both the car and the charger.
• When the car is charged, disconnect the charging cables. Some smart chargers will allow you to stop the charging process remotely using an app on your mobile device.

Learn everything you need to know about charging your electric car at home from the experts at BOXT.

Where Else Can You Charge an Electric Car?

There are lots of options when it comes to charging your electric vehicle. Charging at home is by far the most convenient, but if you are out and about, you won't need to worry about losing charge and being stranded.

Another great benefit of charging your vehicle using a public charging point is that many of them are free to use.

Many businesses use this as a way to attract customers who can then shop on their premises as the car charges.

Free electric car charge points can be located at;

• Hotels
• Shopping centres
• Supermarkets
• Public car parks
• Service stations

It is always worth double-checking whether the service is free, if there are specific stipulations such as time periods that charging is free, or if an in-store purchase is necessary. This information should be presented on the charging station.

Should I Install an Electric Vehicle Charger in My Garage or Outside?

If you have concluded that electric cars are the right choice for you and you are interested in installing an EV charging point at your home, you might be wondering where you should get it installed.

Many people won't have a choice if their only off-road parking is on a driveway, but those with a driveway and a garage might struggle to make their mind up.

EV chargers are designed to withstand outside installation, so this really comes down to your personal preference. Knowing that the components inside the charging unit are safe and there is no danger to the vehicle is essential.

Connectors are made to form a water-tight seal, protecting the vehicle, charging cable, and charge point.

If you want a charger installed on your garage wall, ensure the garage has the wiring and power to do this safely.

Alternatively, you can have the charger installed on an exterior wall. Here are some of the main things that need to be considered when deciding where to install an EV charger.

If you are getting a smart charger installed, ensure you have a signal

A smart charger is a great way to monitor your electricity use and save money. If you are getting a smart charger installed, making sure it receives a signal is vital to enjoying the benefits it will offer.

Consider how you usually park

When you are thinking about where to install an electric car charger, consider how you usually park, and this might make it easier for you to choose a position for installation.

For example, if you normally park on your driveway, installing a charger in the garage means you will either have to change how you park or leave the garage door open while it charges.

Where is the charge point positioned in your electric car?

The charge point position on the car will also dictate the most suitable place to install the charger. However, you should consider that you won't always have this vehicle, and the charging point on other cars may make this positioning more awkward.

Will the charging cable reach?

Depending on the charging cable you have, you should take into account the reach from your preferred installation position to your chosen parking position.

Consider mounting the charger on a post

Not all chargers need to be installed directly onto a wall; in some cases, they can be installed on posts to better suit parking facilities. This can be a more expensive option as trenches may be required to bury the cabling.

Ensure it is not a tripping hazard

Even though the installation is taking place on your own property, making sure the charging cable does not become a tripping hazard should be a priority. It is easy for you or your family to forget that the cable might be there, and other people visiting your home for social or business reasons might not know it is there at all.

How Much Does It Cost to Install an Electric Car Charger at Home?

The price of getting your house fitted with an EV charger will vary depending on the positioning of the unit, the work required during installation, and the charging point itself.

To help our customers get the best products and the best service possible, we offer fixed-price installations, meaning you don't need to worry about nasty hidden costs that can crop up when the work starts.

We work with the best products, and all of our chargers are 7.2kw, smart options installed by a fully licensed electrician that is local to your area.

You will also have the opportunity to see the profile of your installer and licensed electrician before they visit. Unlike a lot of other installation service providers, we thoroughly test all of our installations before leaving.

What Type of Home Charger Should I Install?

Choosing a charger can be challenging if you have no previous experience with electric cars. Thankfully our expert team is on hand to help you find an EV charger that suits your needs. By filling out a few details about your vehicle and property, we can work with you to narrow down your search options.

Here are some things you should consider when deciding what EV charger to select.

Wattage

The wattage of your charger will determine how quickly your car can be charged. The minimum wattage of the chargers available at BOXT is 7.2kW.

This offers a charge roughly three times faster than domestic sockets and would take around six hours to charge a 42kWh vehicle fully.

Tethered or untethered

A tethered EV charging cable is typically cheaper, but it does have some limitations. The cable will have a maximum reach, and there may be manufacturer restrictions on the vehicles it can be used on. Alternatively, an untethered EV charging point means you can buy different lengths of cables and won't be restricted to vehicles compatible with the cable.

What Features Are Available With EV Chargers?

As electric cars develop and improve, so do their charging facilities, and many new chargers offer a range of features that will enhance the user experience.

Features to keep an eye out for include;

• Secure key access - Having a charging point is incredibly convenient at home or at a business. But there is always the worry that someone might try to siphon your electricity while you are out or away on holiday. Some chargers need a key to operate them, increasing the security of your home charging unit.
• Cable hangers - Being able to store your cable when not in use safely minimises the risk of damage. A hanger lets you keep it safely off the ground and out of the way so you can safely back up to the charging point without worrying about driving over it.
• Rapid charge mode - Some chargers offer this as a way to quickly give you enough charge to use the vehicle when you are in a hurry.
• In-built SIM - To ensure you have a strong connection, a built-in SIM can offer a reliable connection.
• Eco charge mode - Because electric vehicles are seen as a more environmentally friendly way to travel, many users look at other ways they can reduce their carbon footprint. If you have solar panels on your home, the eco charge mode on some chargers can use the energy gathered by the solar panels to charge the car.
• Auto-tariff sync - This is a useful mode that tracks the cheapest energy rates and lets you know when it is cheapest to charge your electric car.

Final Thoughts

Whether you want to improve your green credentials, are concerned by fuel prices, or just want to plan ahead and be ready for the electric car revolution, investing in an electric car charger for your home seems wise.

Public chargers are becoming more common and offer the opportunity to charge your car for free, but the convenience of having a home charger will provide drivers with great peace of mind.

If you are interested in getting an electric car charged installed in your garage or outside wall, get in touch with us today. At BOXT, we can offer you a high level of customer service and a great fixed price.