In an EV, you no longer need to drive to a petrol station - you can charge at home, at work or at public charging stations.
With a range of home charger brands, installation options and varying charging costs, there's a lot to consider, so we've put together some helpful charging information.
(time to add 100km range, assuming 20kWh/100km energy use)
Benefits of a home charger
Private vehicles spend most of their time parked at home overnight, making it an ideal to replenish the battery.
Speed
A single phase home charger is 3x faster than a standard plug, you can recharge the battery in a shorter amount of time.
Maximise savings
Faster charging can be helpful in taking advantage of time-of-use tariffs, enabling more charge during off-peak periods.
Solar charging
A solar-enabled home EV charger enables drivers to charge their EV with the renewable energy they generate at home
EV charger considerations
Manufacturer caps Most EV manufacturers currently have an 11kW limit on AC charging, half of what a 3-phase charger can deliver.
Grid caps Some states have caps on the electricity grid that are lower than 22kW which, like manufacturer caps, is less than what a 3-phase charger can deliver.
Solar Many EV drivers are keen to charge with solar energy but not all chargers are solar enabled. If you have solar, ensure the charger is equipped for this.
Home charger installation
Chargers are serious pieces of equipment that need to be installed by qualified electricians. In saying that, it’s a routine job for a professional and can be completed in a few hours.
Requirements:
Must have off-street parking
The home meets the requirements for a safe installation.
Most homes are single phase, if choosing a 3-phase charger, there will be additional requirements like cabling to the nearest 3-phase connection and switchboard upgrades.
The cost of charging your EV at home
Charging costs will depend on three factors:
1. Your electricity rates 2. The time of day you charge (peak or off-peak) 3. Whether you charge with solar
The AGL Night Saver energy plan, exclusively for electric vehicle drivers, has super low off-peak rates to help EV drivers go further, for less.
Calculate how much it will cost to fully charge your EV:
Simply multiply your electricity rate by the size of your EV battery.
• Battery size (kWh) x Electricity rate ($ per kWh) = Total charging cost ($)
• Eg. 40kWh x $0.25/kWh = $10.
Of course, electricity rates vary according to location and the time of day, so this is just a guide.
