HOW DO I CHOOSE MY EV CHARGER?

If you own an electric vehicle, you may be considering investing in a home charge point – they’re safe, convenient, and cheaper than public charging. But if you’ve not bought one before, you might not be sure of the factors you need to consider, or how to decide which is the right charger for you.

We’re breaking down the things you need to know about choosing an EV charger, and how Halfords & Cord can keep you charged up

Charger Type 

First of all, you need to think about the type of charger you want. While most EVs will come with a cable that plugs into your standard 3-pin socket, we don’t recommend using them. Firstly, they’ll draw less power than a dedicated EV charger, so you’ll be waiting a lot longer for your car to charge up. You also won’t be able to take advantage of the smart functionalities of a full home chargepoint, like customisable charging times or automatic cut off once your car’s fully charged.

As well as being less convenient, they’re also less safe. Domestic plugs aren’t designed to cope with the high power draw of an electric car, and there’s a risk the socket could overheat. You should never use a domestic extension lead with a 3-pin charger as it isn’t designed to handle the power an EV will draw, which increases the risk of electrical fires.

So, these chargers can be handy in an emergency, but they’re not designed for sustained usage. Instead, a dedicated electric vehicle charger is the safest and most secure option.

These units are weatherproof, fully safety-certified, and designed to handle the higher loads of an electric vehicle. Plus, they’re installed by professionals, so you’ll have the peace of mind that everything has been checked over by an expert.

Since they can take more power, you’ll also be able to charge up a lot quicker than with a standard 3-pin plug, so you can enjoy less time between your journeys.

Charging Speed 

That leads us on to charging speed, which can be affected by the charger you choose too. Generally, charging speed will vary the most between charger types - 3-pin chargers (also called Level 1 chargers) give you a slower charge, while home chargepoints (known as Level 2) will be faster.

Charging speeds are measured in kilowatts – that’s the rate at which a charger can power your car. The average UK home can deliver a maximum of 7.4kW, but a 3-pin plug will only give you 2.3kW. you. Home chargepoints will vary by brand, but a Cord charger will comfortably reach 7.4kW

It’s also worth noting that the size of your car’s battery will also influence how quickly you can charge, and some models will only let you charge up to 80% to keep the battery healthy. Check out Cord’s vehicle lookup tool to find specifics for your make and model.

Power Capacity 

The speed of your charger makes no difference if your home’s electrical system doesn’t have the capacity for an EV charger. You don’t need to work this out for yourself though – Cord’s experts will complete a home survey of your property before installation to make sure the setup can be safe, functional, and efficient.

Warranty 

A home charger is an investment, so you’ll want to consider the aftercare you’ll receive too. With Halfords and Cord, you’ll get a 3-year warranty as standard for the peace of mind that we’re here if something goes wrong. Plus, you have the option to extend it to a 5-year warranty too if you’d like the extra reassurance.

Home Charging with Cord 

For safe, easy charging, we’re here to help. It can feel like a minefield trying to decide what speed, power, or charger type you need, which is why Cord keeps it simple.

The Cord One EV Charger is compatible with all EV models, and charges at the maximum rate for most homes so you know you’re getting a fast at-home charge. They’ll handle all the assessments and home surveys, so you can relax and leave it to the experts.

Find out more about home charging with Cord here

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