Just bought an electric car? Or perhaps you’re thinking about getting one but need some more information? Please read below where we at Kingfisher Electrics will cover some frequently asked questions around charging electric vehicles (EVs), along with some other, rather useful points.
Where Can I Plug In My Electric Car?
At Home:
If you intend to use your electric vehicle frequently then having your own dedicated charge point at home really is a no-brainer.
Most charge points are typically wall mounted and must be installed by a qualified electrician. These units come in a range of speeds which will be discussed at the bottom of this very page.
Aside from the obvious benefits of having your own charge point as opposed to using a public one, there is an Electric Vehicle Home Charge Scheme (EVHS) in place which has been set up by the Government to help fund this new technology. It could cover as much as 75% of the total costs in some cases.
Public Places:
As this new technology grows, more and more public charging points are becoming available all over the country. You can find them in petrol stations, supermarkets and even on lampposts in public roads.
There are apps available to help you locate the nearest ones to you which can be downloaded from your app store.
At Work:
A Workplace Charging Scheme is providing employers with huge savings, covering a maximum of 20 sockets and saving as much as 75% of the total costs in some cases. Which is why you are likely to see more and more of these charge points being installed in the workplace these days.
Connecting My Electric Vehicle To A Charge Point
The majority of electric vehicles come complete with two types of charge cables, one which can be plugged into a regular 240v, 3 pin commando socket for slow charging and one which can be plugged into a rapid charge-point for faster charge speeds.
Types Of Charge Points
Slow Chargers (7-26 Hours*):
These charge points are ideal if you are not in a rush and are typically used in the home, overnight via a 3-pin commando socket (which could be plugged into a regular 240v UK socket).
Fast Chargers (45 Mins–9 Hours*):
You are likely to find these in public places where it’s fairly normal to be parked for an hour or so, such as supermarkets and leisure centre car parks. Also via a 3-pin commando socket (which could be plugged into a regular 240v UK socket).
Rapid Chargers (30-45 Mins*):
These charge points offer the fastest charge speeds and are likely to be located near main roads and at motorway service stations. These units generally have specialist connectors and cannot be plugged into regular 240v UK sockets.
*Estimated, average times for a full charge – these figures are the result of multiple tests involving different vehicles with different charge outputs and are to be used as a rough guide only.
Can I Use A Rapid Charger?
This depends on the make and model of your electric vehicle. Please consult your dealership before purchase if this is something you really want.
Your salesperson should have the exact specifications and requirements listed for you to know which home charge point would be most suitable for your electric vehicle.
Need a Quote?
Why not give Kingfisher Electrics Ltd a call on 01273 789 276 to arrange a free, no-obligation quotation?
Please have your specifications/requirements ready where possible.
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