10 October 2022
Charging at home is one of the big advantages of electric vehicle ownership – you might never need to refuel again. It does raise some questions though: how fast will your car charge, what equipment do you need, and how much will it cost to set up?
There are two hardware options for charging your battery or hybrid electric vehicle at home: plugging it into a domestic socket or using a specialty EV charger. Each one has its pros and cons, and you’ll need to weigh up charging speed and costs when you make your decision.
The battery in your vehicle has a lot in common with the battery in your phone, and both can be charged using a standard domestic three-pin socket. The advantages of plugging into a power point are:
The main disadvantage of plugging into the socket Is that it’s very slow. It typically takes 12 to 14 hours to charge a battery electric vehicle (BEV) sufficiently to give you 100km of range. A plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) will fully charge much more quickly. A long-range BEV is unlikely to reach 100% charge overnight – it might take 20 to 30 hours, for instance.
If you want to charge your car faster, you’ll need to step up to an at-home charger. An EV-specific charging unit, installed in your home, has several advantages:
The downside of a wall-mounted charger is the initial installation cost. It needs to be fitted by a licensed electrician who has experience with chargers. The cost is typically around $2,000 for the charger and another $2,000 to have it fitted. If you buy a new BEV, the manufacturer may recommend the use of a wall charger.
Charging your EV at home for the first time can be quite daunting. To make sure that everyone stays safe when the car is being charged, make sure to:
You can read the full Worksafe EV charging guidelines here.