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Blog Post

Why Install an EV Charging Station in Your Home?

November 8, 2018

If you’re an electric car owner (or would-be owner), you’re probably aware of many of the advantages of owning an electric vehicle compared to a running a petrol or diesel vehicle. There are the lower CO2 emissions, noise reduction, lower running costs and the government incentives like exemptions from road user chargers.

Having your own charging station at home optimises these advantages, making charging your EV faster, safer, cheaper and more reliable. Here’s why.

Benefits of installing a home EV charging station

Electric vehicles usually come with a Mode-2 charging cable. This cable fits the inlet in your car in one end, and a regular plug designed for ordinary wall sockets in the other. What many EV owners do not realise is that everyday use of the Mode-2 cable and a regular wall socket for charging is not recommended.

The alternative to the Mode-2 cable is a dedicated home charging station with Mode-3 cable. Here are the advantages of having such a unit installed in your home.

1. Fast Charging
A charging station allows you to make use of the full charging capacity of your vehicle. While charging through a Mode-2 cable and regular socket is limited, the charging station’s Mode-3 cable has a much greater capacity. And because charging stations are installed with a dedicated circuit, charging times become reliable and predictable.

2. Safer charging
A charging station is designed to charge electric vehicles so it is safer to use. It is connected to a dedicated circuit with a larger load capacity and appropriate fuse, and it has earth fault protection. It will also warn you of any errors and stops the power supply when the vehicle is fully charged.
3. Cheaper charging
The cost of charging at home is the equivalent of paying 30c/litre. Some models of home charging units include features such as a built-in time to delay that take advantage of off-peak electricity rates.
4. More convenient charging
Public or commercial charging stations are a good option when you’re further away from home, enabling you to re-charge on the go. But with 90% of travel in New Zealand less than 90km, it makes sense to have a unit at home that conveniently re-charges your vehicle between trips.

5. Increase the value of your home
 Having a charging station installed may also increase the value of your home, making it an even better investment for the future.

Home EV in action

Canterbury Power supply and install a range of home EV charging solutions. One of the options is Rolec’s Neuton Power Wallpod.

More information

If you’re an electric vehicle owner, or potential owner, and you’d like to know more about home EV charging options, check out our home EV charging productsor get in touchwith us for a free quote.

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