… but what do you get with a new electric car charger? Below we look at the two brands we install for our customers around and their benefits. Podpoint smart chargers Podpoint offer one of the best home EV chargers and provide ‘smart’ systems that communicate via Wi-Fi. Similar to smart meters installed in the home for electricity, they give you more information about your energy usage so you can make better informed decisions. A Podpoint home smart charger offers: Energy usage reports Use the Podpoint app to monitor your energy usage and download them as .csv files for your laptop if needed ..read more

What are type 1 chargers? Type 1 EV chargers are known as the ‘slower’ charging cables and feature a 5-pin design. They feature a distinct latch that helps to keep the plug in the charging socket so it is more difficult to dislodge. However, they do not have the locking mechanism that is standard on type 2 chargers. Type 1 chargers are also referred to as a single-phase charging cable. The main difference between type 1 and type 2 chargers can be seen in charging times. Type 1 chargers typically have a typical power rating of 0.37kW or 7kW. They have an approximate range per hour of charging o ..read more

To be eligible, you need to own a qualifying vehicle and have appropriate off-street parking. You can find the full list of eligible vehicles on the government website here. Last chance single unit properties If you own a detached, semi-detached, terraced or bungalow property, you will no longer be able to claim the grant after April 1st. There will be a big, last-minute rush as people search for qualified installation firms, so the sooner you schedule a quote, the more likely it is that you will be able to use the discount. Flat owners will still be able to claim the grant after April 1st, 20 ..read more

Average distance travelled Every electric car model has an average distance it can travel before it has to be recharged. For example, a Volkswagen e-Golf has an official range of 144 miles on a full charge, while a Nissan Leaf runs for 168 miles. However, be aware that ‘real world’ ranges may be different to the official ranges provided by the manufacturer, with a 10-20% drop-off in some cases. Take into consideration where you live and how much mileage will go into the car across the week to see whether you need a bigger or smaller vehicle. Recharging times There is a lot more to explain abou ..read more

The charging speed is determined by the current type (DC/AC), rated power (kw), connector type and mode.   Rated power and current type The voltage and charge current (amps) are used to determine the rated power, with either a direct current (DC) or alternating current (AC). Most homes have a standard domestic single phased (230V) supply, which limits charging to around 7kW. If you use a rapid DC charger this could be increased to anywhere between 50kW and 120kW. Connector type A cable links the car and charge point, which also features a connector that fits into the car inlet socket ..read more

Cheaper than traditional cars One of the main reasons for going electric is that the vehicles are generally cheaper to run over the course of your ownership. While the upfront cost to buy the car can be more expensive, when you factor in the charging, maintenance, insurance and tax (there is no tax at all for vehicles with zero CO2 emissions), the long-term costs tend to be lower. Some studies even suggest that electric cars can be as much as 49% cheaper than petrol or diesel equivalents. Eco-friendly Electric cars are gaining in popularity largely because they are kinder to the environment. T ..read more

2020 EV sales figures The electric car market is growing quickly in the UK, with figures at the end of November 2021 showing over 365,000 pure-electric cars currently out on roads. For plug-in models, there are over 705,000 vehicles currently active, which includes plug-in hybrids (PHEVs). These numbers are likely to quickly increase over the next 8 years before the sale of new internal combustion vehicles are banned in 2030. The Climate Change Committee estimates that there will be approximately 18 million battery and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles on UK roads by the time the ban comes into ..read more

Should I buy a tethered or untethered charge point? There are few things to consider when choosing between a tethered and untethered charge point. Firstly, a tethered charger comes with an attached cable, while an untethered unit does not. Opting for a tethered system means you don’t have to carry the EV cable in the boot of your car. It is also worth taking future developments in mind, because if the technology evolves beyond type 1 and 2 sockets, you could be left with one installed in your home. You can find out more about type 1 and type 2 chargers here. While you’ll have to buy your own c ..read more

However, that is not always easy to do as many of the prices advertised do not mention the hidden costs that are often involved. We go into more detail about what these are and the true cost of installing an EV charge point. The hidden costs of EV charge point installation While you probably expect to pay the price you are quoted by an electric car charger company, unfortunately, that is often not the case. When you receive a quote you should always ask if there are any additional charges for installation. Ideally, you should receive a fixed-cost quote that covers everything including material ..read more

How much does it cost to charge an electric car at home? When you are charging an EV at home, the cost will depend on a number of different things: Time of charging (based on the tariff) Vehicle battery size Method used (charging point or 3-pin plug How much energy is needed for the charge In general terms, it is cheaper to charge your EV at home rather than using a public chargepoint. Here are some examples of what you could pay to charge your electric car.   Car Model   Battery Size Range (miles) Full Charge Cost  Cost Per Mile Volkswagen ID.3 45kW 205 £4.67   3.25 ..read more