Electrical contractor specialising in Solar PV and Battery Storage
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We are an approved installer for, SolarEdge, Myenergi and Tesla.
However as an independent EV charger installer we are not tied to any particular brand, this gives us the flexibility to design and install the best and most affordable EV charging system for your particular needs.
We will not only fit your EV charger, but also deal with your DNO application too.
With the rise of EV car ownership, having a home EV charge point is the most convenient method of refuelling an EV, meaning that as an EV owner you don’t need to go out of your way to charge up on your journey.
While it is possible to charge your electric vehicle using a typical 2.3kW three-pin socket, doing so is very inefficient. For example, aa 63kWh Nissan Ariya electric SUV will take over 32 hours to charge from zero to full on a standard three-pin socket. A 7kW home charging point on the other hand will do the same zero to full charge in around ten hours.
The time it takes to charge an electric car depends on the size of the battery and the power the charger is putting out. You can use these values to calculate how long it will take to charge your EV.
Battery size (kWh) ÷ actual charging power (kW) = Charging time (hours)
It is known that driving a mile in an electric car is already cheaper than a fuel car.
To ensure costs are kept at a low rate, installing a home smart EV charging system allows you to charge your vehicles during off-peak hours when electricity costs are lower, typically overnight. This helps keep charging costs down and allows easier access to energy tariffs with reduced rates.
Octopus Energy have a special tariff for EV drivers called Intelligent Octopus, that offers a rate of 10p per kWh between the hours of 11:30pm and 5:30am. Charging a Tesla Model 3 from zero to full using the off-peak rate of this tariff would work out to around £5.30 per full charge.
Some EV chargers can even help you access energy your household might generate on its own, such as from solar panels.
Another benefit of installing a smart charging point is that some units allow you to create and download reports which provide you with information regarding your energy usage.
For example, the SolarEdge EV Charger is a smart unit which provides an app along with the purchase and installation of the charging system which gives clear charging reports. These reports provide data on how much energy you have used, and can also be useful for fleet customers or any business drivers who need to send charge sessions and costs to their employer. This feature enables users to capture, analyse, and delve into their EV charging data, helping to optimize and enhance the efficiency of charging sessions.
With smart home charging systems, you can monitor and manage your charge point directly from your phone, no matter where you are. This functionality allows you to check your charging status and start or stop the process anytime, anywhere. Additionally, smart home chargers enable you to take advantage of off-peak pricing rates associated with your EV tariff through scheduling and various in-app features, enhancing the efficiency of your charging sessions. By scheduling your charging times, you could save up to 70% on electricity costs, as it allows you to charge your battery during off-peak hours, maximizing the benefits of both your vehicle and smart home charging system.
EV owners can now have more control over when they charge their EVs with a smart home charging station.
Locating a charging station near your home can be challenging and time-consuming, often with the added frustration of waiting in line once you find one. Installing a home charging point alleviates charging anxiety and provides users with the comfort and reassurance of being able to charge their vehicles safely at home. This means no more trips to public charging stations or waiting at petrol stations. Instead, you can charge your electric vehicle at home, ensuring it’s ready to go each morning when you wake up.
Currently, EV car batteries are used to power the vehicle. However, in the future, your car battery could be used as a power source for your grid. This is called vehicle-to-grid (V2G) technology. There are different variations of V2G, one of them being vehicle-to-home (V2H). This allows your electric vehicle to become a power source for a single house. V2H can work alongside and reduce the power used from the grid, allowing you to avoid using expensive electricity in peak times directly from the grid.
Yes, it is possible to charge your electric vehicle at home. You can install a dedicated home charging point, often called a home wallbox charger, which provides faster charging speeds compared to a regular power outlet. Home charging requires a suitable connection to the electrical supply and may require professional installation
While it is possible to use a regular power outlet to charge an electric vehicle, it is generally not recommended for regular or rapid charging. Regular power outlets provide lower charging speeds and may not have the necessary safety features required for EV charging. It is advisable to install a dedicated EV charging point for efficient and safe charging at home.
No. EV chargers must be installed by a qualified electrician to ensure safety and compliance with regulations.
Yes, it is possible to charge an electric vehicle using renewable energy sources in the UK. If you have solar panels or access to green energy tariffs, you can ensure that the electricity used to charge your EV comes from renewable sources, reducing its carbon footprint.
Generally, it is safe to leave your electric vehicle charging unattended. EVs and their charging systems are designed with safety features to prevent overcharging and other potential hazards. However, it is advisable to follow manufacturer guidelines, ensure the charging station is in good condition, and be cautious of any unusual behaviour or technical issues.
The charging time for an electric vehicle depends on several factors, including the capacity of the vehicle’s battery, the charging speed of the station, and the starting level of charge. Slow chargers may take several hours to fully charge a vehicle, while rapid chargers can provide a significant charge in around 30 minutes. A typical 7kW home charger takes around 6-8 hours for a full charge, depending on your vehicle’s battery size
Yes, you need to notify your Distribution Network Operator (DNO) before installing an EV charger. The DNO will assess the impact on the local power grid and may need to upgrade the infrastructure.
Increased Demand - EV chargers use more electricity than a typical home, which would impact the local power grid.
Safety - The DNO needs to ensure the local network can safely and reliably handle the increased demand.
Compliance - DNO permits regulate the connection of charging infrastructure to the power grid.
