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As electric vehicles (EVs) become more popular, it is important to have efficient and easy to use charging options. Choosing the right EV charging solutions in UK that fits your needs is a key for a smooth charging experience and helps support the shift to eco-friendly transportation. In this article, you will look at what to consider when choosing the best EV chargers UK for your situation.
What to Consider When Choosing Home EV Charging Solutions in UK?
Factors to consider while choosing home EV Charging Solutions are as follows:
Budget
The main concern for many people when choosing an electric car charger is the cost especially since prices have gone up after the electric vehicle homecharge scheme (OZEV Grant) ended in March 2022. There are a variety of EV chargers to fit different budgets which also include installation.
Tethered or Untethered Home Charger
Deciding between a tethered or untethered charger is becoming less of an issue because some products like the Easee One now offer both options. However, since some of the top home EV chargers UK still come in just one type, let us explain what tethered and untethered mean.
Tethered chargers
A tethered EV charger has a charging cable permanently attached to the unit. Many people find this convenient because the cable is always available. You just need to uncoil it and plug it into your vehicle. However, you are limited to the cable lengths provided by the manufacturer usually around five meters but some brands offer different lengths.
You will also need to make sure the cable fits your electric vehicle’s plug socket. EVs typically have either a Type 1 or Type 2 socket for home electric vehicle charging UK. Thankfully, most modern electric cars use a Type 2 socket thus this is not a problem for most drivers. However, if you have a Type 1 vehicle, like an older Nissan Leaf, you will need to get a Type 1 charger if you want a tethered option.
Untethered EV Chargers
An untethered EV home charger does not have a cable permanently attached to it. Instead, it has a socket which is why they are sometimes called “socket-only” chargers. These chargers usually do not come with a cable thus you will need to buy one if your car does not already include it.
You might wonder why someone would choose an untethered charger since it seems less convenient. The main benefit is flexibility. Untethered chargers can charge any electric vehicle because the socket is universal, and you can choose the length of the cable. This is helpful if you have limited parking space and need a longer cable for overnight charging.
Hertzlink EV chargers are an efficient solution for charging electric vehicles. Offering a wide range of home and commercial EV chargers, Hertzlink is committed to delivering top-notch products and services. With a focus on fast, safe, and flexible EV charging, Hertzlink ensures that all its products meet high standards of reliability and performance.
Compatibility with Solar Panels
If you want to use solar energy to charge your electric vehicle, make sure your chosen EV charger is compatible with solar panels. Otherwise, you will have to rely on electricity from the grid which can be more expensive.
Connectivity
The latest smart home EV charger installation UK come with connectivity features that give you more control over your electric vehicle charging UK. These chargers are network-connected which means they can link to your smartphone through an app. This connection allows you to control and monitor your charging sessions more efficiently.
With a smart EV charger, you can benefit from features like:
- Easy Billing: Simplify how you pay for your energy usage.
- Maintenance: Get alerts for any issues with your charger.
- Energy Monitoring: Track how much energy you are using and optimize it.
- Over the Air Updates: Receive software updates automatically without the need of a technician.
- New Features: Access additional functionalities as they become available.
- Charge Scheduling: Set specific times for when your vehicle should charge.
- Status Updates: Check the current status of your charging session in real time.
These smart chargers also help energy suppliers by tracking the energy they use.
WiFi
An EV charger with Wi-Fi connects with your home internet thus you will not have extra costs for connectivity. However, WiFi has a limited range but you can extend it with boosters. The quality of your connection can vary based on your location especially in rural areas with slower or less reliable broadband. Most WiFi enabled EV chargers work only on the 2.5 GHz signal thus this is something to keep in mind. If your home internet has issues or you need a different signal, you might need to consider alternative solutions for reliable charging.
Mobile Data
In today’s world, mobile signals are widely available which make them a good option if your WiFi does not reach where you want to install your charger. EV charging solutions UK with mobile data use SIM cards to connect to the strongest mobile network in the area. Some chargers might come with a data subscription that could cost extra.
Conclusion
Choosing the right EV charging solutions UK is important for encouraging more people to use electric vehicles. Think about your charging needs, how fast you want to charge, where you will install it, safety, and future needs before deciding. Whether you need a home charger or a network of charging bollards for a business which make a smart choice will help support a greener and more sustainable future for transportation.
You can connect with Benoit Technologies that give you perfect EV charger installation UK at affordable rates. We are one of the top EV charger suppliers in UK who offer a wide range of EV charging solutions for both homes and businesses. Our chargers come in different capacities from 7KW single phase models to 11KW, 22KW, and 44KW dual chargers. We offer fast charging solutions for commercial parking, retail, hospitality, real estate and network operators along with complete solar and grid power setups. So get in touch with us to get the right EV charging solution.