Electric Vehicle Chargers: How to get one installed
With the increasing fuel prices and climate crisis worries, there’s never been a better time to switch to an electric vehicle. Of course, electric cars need to be charged regularly if you want to keep them running – which means getting an EV charger installed at your home or workplace.
Luckily, we’ve demystified all the common questions so you have all the important information before you make your decision.
Can I have an electric vehicle charger installed on my property?
EV chargers of some form can be installed outside your home or work premises – but there are a few things you need to be aware of beforehand.
First of all, due to the complex nature of installing an EV charger, it’s important to ensure you have a professional installer do it for you, instead of trying to do it yourself. EV charging points require their own separate circuits and trips, as well as additional checks to ensure the supply to the property can handle the increase in electricity.
Installing an EV charger yourself also leaves you open to safety risks, including fires or electric shocks. Luckily, these are easily avoided by ensuring to use a professional installer. Look for electricians that have a specialism in EV charger installation. For example, at RCH Electrical we are accredited installers of myenergi electric vehicle chargers and can also provide certified installation of all other electric vehicle charging points.
By choosing a certified EV charger installer, you’ll also get rid of any chance of regulatory issues and will be completely compliant with national regulations. An EV charger installer will usually need to certify the installation with a necessary government body. This means that the process has been done safely and compliantly.
Do I need to apply to have an electric vehicle charger fitted?
The simple answer is yes, however, at RCH Electrical we do all the hard work for you. We start by conducting research into your local load supply. This is called a load check. This will determine whether or not the local electrical supply can cope with the increased demand on the network. The results of this will allow us to get a better understanding of what size of charger can be fitted to your property. At RCH we supply and install MyEnergi 7.5kw and 22kw electric vehicle chargers.
What does the ‘kw’ mean on an electric vehicle charger?
Kw on your actual vehicle and the charging point can mean different things, so it can get a little confusing. On your car, kW refers to the maximum output and power of your car, which is measured in kilowatts (kW).
However, on charging points, kilowatts (kW) are used as a unit of measurement. The higher the kW number, the more electricity is being used to charge the car which means it will charge quicker.
How long does it take to install an electric vehicle charger?
A specialised electrician can install an EV charging point in around two hours. This allows them to install the separate circuits required for an EV charger, as well as additional checks to ensure your property can handle the electricity flow.
How much does it cost to install an electric vehicle charger?
The cost of getting an EV charger installed varies from case to case. Think about whether your wiring is capable of handling the additional load – if it’s not, what size EV charger will it be able to handle? This can affect the cost. Additionally, the type of system you want to be installed can also affect this. You can get anything from a 2kw external socket to a 22kw EV charging point. The most popular are 7.5kw chargers.
Installing an EV charger depends on the situation, but hiring a professional to do it for you is the best way to avoid any additional repair costs.
To get a fair and accurate estimate of the price of the EV charger installation, get in touch with our team who will be able to assist you.
