Like many people in the UK, you may have recently decided to switch from petrol or diesel to electric vehicles (EV). Or you might be driving a hybrid, a vehicle that is electric but can also run on conventional fuel. In either case, you’ll need to familiarise yourself with an entirely new way of fuelling your vehicle, and that’s where we come in.
What is Electric Vehicle Charging?
EV charging is a process in which an electric or hybrid vehicle is recharged. Although batteries can only be charged with DC power, nearly all electric vehicles are equipped with onboard AC-to-DC converters, so they can be charged using any standard household outlet.
Cheaper, low-power public charging stations can also provide AC power – these are known as AC charging stations. Converters are often built into the charging station rather than the vehicle for higher charging power requirements. The station, in turn, supplies already-converted DC power straight to the vehicle. Most fully electric cars can accept both AC and DC power.
An EV charging station usually sits outside at the side of your driveway. It’s connected to your property’s main power supply and comes with connectors that conform to a range of standards. DC charging stations usually have several connector types to accommodate multiple vehicle types.
If you’re looking to have an EV charging station installed on your property in Bournemouth, Poole or Christchurch in Dorset, look no further than Merrivale Electrical Ltd based in Southbourne.
Types of Charging Stations Available
There are three types of ev charging stations available.
- Slow
- Fast
- Rapid
Slow charging stations usually need several hours to complete a charge but are the cheapest to run. Conversely, rapid charging stations need only around 30 minutes to charge a vehicle to 80%, but the trade-off is that they are more expensive.
We recommend slow charging stations for home use, as you’ll likely be charging your vehicle overnight.
Charging at Home
As stated above, most of the time, your vehicle will be charging while sitting on the driveway, usually overnight, giving it ample time. While public stations are available, installing a dedicated station on your property is the best way to go.
Up to 75% of the installation costs of a home EV charging station (up to a limit of £350) will be covered by the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV).
While you can use a regular UK three-pin socket, this charges at a much slower rate and involves running charging cables from inside your home. With an EV charging station, everything is kept completely external with no cables for you to trip over.
How can Merrivale Electrical Ltd Help?
Here at Merrivale Electrical Ltd, we have the necessary experience and knowledge to provide a safe and efficient installation of home EV charging stations.
We supply a range of charging stations from reputable manufacturers to suit all requirements. We have slow-charging stations for customers that wish to prioritise keeping energy costs down. And we have fast and rapid-charging options for those that need their vehicles charged quickly.
We’ll arrange a convenient time to pop round for a chat. We’ll listen to your requirements, look at the area where the station is to be installed and provide you with honest advice and suggestions. Then, once we’re done, we’ll hand you a FREE, no-obligation quote.
Remember that thanks to the EV Charge Point Grant, the government will fund 75% of the cost of the charging station up to £350.
If you decide to proceed, we’ll schedule the installation. Then, one of our expert engineers will get everything set up safely for you, answering any questions or concerns you might have.
To learn more about our EV charging station installation service, pick up the phone and call Merrivale Electrical Ltd on 07976 892901 today.Contact Us