How to choose a home EV charger

How to choose a home EV charger

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Without having a home EV charger, using your electric car may involve too many hassles to enjoy your EV experience. But how to choose the one that is right for you? Here are five questions to make your confident decision.

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1. How much is the charge power of your vehicle?

EV chargers differ in their output amperage, which varies from 3.2 kW to 22 kW and over. As a rule, the higher amperage the unit has, the faster it can fill up a battery. Therefore, if your vehicle has a 22-kW charge port, a 22-kW EV charger is your fastest option. However, if your car can receive only 3.6 kW, a 22-kW station will not charge it faster than a 7-kW one.

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2. How many electric vehicles do you have?

The number of electric vehicles you have may determine how many ports you need. For example, if you have just one car, why should you overpay for a 2-port one? However, if you have two vehicles to charge simultaneously, a 2-port unit is exactly what you need.

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3. How much is the capacity of your existing electrical service panel?

A service panel capacity may pose certain restrictions on the charge point power you are going to exploit. For example, if you have a 100-Amp service panel, installation of a 63-kW station is impossible.
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Fortunately, you can always request a charge point service in LE Company, which may include upgrading your current service panel.

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4. What are the features you expect from your EV charger?

There are a great variety of features, which affects both the convenience of use and the price. Here we listed the most important ones:

• Cable tether and length
• Installation location
• Mounting method
• Smart features

While these features are optional, the safety is one that is a must. So, always pay close attention to its protection degree. I should be of at least IP55.

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5. What is your budget?

Charge points differ in manufacturers, features... and their prices. In general, units of higher amperage are more expensive. The same is true for rich-featured devices. So, if you are on a tight budget, such stations may not be affordable for you.
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To conclude, we have one more tip to add. When choosing the station, keep your future needs in mind as well.