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Charging your electric vehicle can be done at home or on the road at a public charging point.
Home Charging
Home charging is the easiest and cheapest way to add energy to your electric vehicle. There are two options when it comes to home charging. The first is using a 3-pin plug (some manufacturers provide this with your vehicle) which takes power from your domestic supply. However, although this method is simple to use and extremely portable it can take a considerable amount of time to reach full charge and therefore manufacturers recommend that this way of charging is best used as a last resort.
A better option, especially if you plan on driving and charging your EV on a regular basis, would be to have a home charger point installed on the side of your house or in your garage. These home chargers are durable, weatherproof and provide faster charging without the need for various cables running from your house. An electric vehicle will either have a Type 1 or Type 2 connector so make sure to choose a charging point that is compatible with your vehicle.
What is the cost of charging your electric vehicle at home?
The cost of installing a home charging point varies depending on manufacturer and speed. Most suppliers provide two power rating options: 3 kW or 7 kW. Expect to pay more for the 7 kW option which reduces charge time significantly if the car has a fast on-board charger. For example, a Nissan Leaf on a 3 kW home charge unit will provide a full charge in around 12-13 hours, whereas a 7 kW unit will give a full charge in around six hours.
There is currently a government grant available for EV owners to help towards the cost of a home charging point.
Once your home charging point is installed, you’re ready to charge your new electric vehicle. The cost of charging your EV at home varies slightly from one tariff to another but is generally around 20p per kWh. Some energy providers have a reduced rate at night so the best time to charge your electric car is overnight ready to go in the morning.
We find this home charging tool really useful to calculate how much it will cost and how long it will take to charge your EV depending on make, model, charger speed and energy price.
Charging Out and About
There will probably be times when you can’t charge your EV at home and need to use a public charging point, whether that be a quick top up during the day or a full recharge. The network of public charge points is rapidly growing and there are already over 42000 connectors available in cities, towns and service stations.
Again, there are various options for charging. If you only need charge when out and about infrequently, then a pay-as-you-go method is possible, costing between 20p and 70p per kWh, depending on whether you’re using a fast or rapid charger, the latter costing more to use.
If you travel further afield more often there are various subscription options available that offer discounted charging rates for a small monthly fee.
This useful charging point map lets you find your nearest EV charging station, plan longer journeys and view live updates on availability at every public charging point in the UK. You can also filter your search by charger type, network, location and payment type so that you can easily find the perfect place to charge your electric vehicle.
View the range of electric vehicles available at RRG Group or contact us for more information.