Electric Vehicle chargepoint installation process
What is an EV chargepoint?
An EV chargepoint is a device that allows you to charge your electric vehicle (EV) at home or work. It’s a safe and easy way to keep your EV charged and ready to go.
There are a few things you’ll need to consider before installing an EV chargepoint. First, you’ll need to make sure you have the right electrical supply at your home or workplace. Second, you’ll need to find the best location for your chargepoint. Third, you’ll need to decide on the type of chargepoint that best suits your needs and lastly who you should use to fit one.
Step 1: do your research
When it comes to electric vehicle (EV) chargepoint installation, the first step is always to do your research. This means becoming familiar with the different types of chargepoints available and understanding the basic features of a chargepoint. Here are some suggestions:
How quickly do you need to recharge?
For a home chargepoint option there are two main types - those that charge at 7kWh and those that charge at 22kWh.
7kWh chargepoints are the most common type, providing enough power to fully charge a typical electric car in around 4-5 hours. This is typically completed overnight. However, for longer journeys or if you need to top up your battery quickly, 22kWh chargepoints can provide a full charge in just 2-3 hours. To put this into perspective a three pin domestic plug might achieve 2 kWh or approx 8 miles an hour.
Smart features:
Chargepoints are typically controlled via an app. Key features of an app allows you to track your energy usage, lock or unlock the chargepoint, set a timed charge and get real-time updates on charging status. Some apps also let you pay for charging directly from your phone.
Tethered or untethered?:
Typically tethered chargers are more expensive than untethered chargers, but they offer a few advantages. Tethered chargers have a cable that plugs directly into your car, so there's no need to worry about losing or forgetting your charger. They also tend to be faster than untethered chargers.
Step 2: find a qualified installer
If you're considering installing a home EV chargepoint, the next step is finding a qualified installer. An EV chargepoint installation is different than a traditional home electrical outlet, so it's important to find an electrician who has experience with EVs. Here are a few things to keep in mind when searching for an installer:
- Make sure the electrician is licensed and insured. This is important for any type of electrical work, but especially for something as complex as an EV charger installation.
- Ask if the electrician has experience with EV chargers. If they don't have direct experience, they won't be compliant with the latest building regulation, or industry standards.
- Get multiple bids from different electricians. This will help you compare prices and find the best value for your money and please, please, please, always question the cheapest quote.
- Ask for references / check reviews. This is a good way to find out if other customers were satisfied with the work that was done and the price they paid.
- Check to see if your installer is has a membership with a competent person* body.
- Installing an EV chargepoint is specialist installation and one that an electrician should have attended a qualification course as well as manufacturing training too.
*A competent person is someone who has the necessary skills, knowledge and experience to carry out a task safely. They are also able to identify any potential hazards and are aware of the correct procedures to follow to minimise the risks.
There are a number of organisations that certify competent persons, such as NICEIC and Napit. To be certified, individuals must prove that they have the required skills and knowledge through examinations and assessments. Once certified, they are then able to work independently or provide training and support to others.
Competent persons play an important role in ensuring safety in industries such as electrical work. By carrying out tasks safely and correctly, they help to protect both themselves and others from harm. Becoming a competent person cannot be achieved over night, it takes years of experience and education to become qualified.
Step 3: choose the right EV chargepoint to match you budget
When it comes to chargepoints there are many options to choose from to match your budget. Zappi, Easee are two of the most popular brands on the market. Here is a breakdown of each brand to help you decide which is right for you.
Myenergi: Zappi RRP for a thethered unit - £799
The Zappi v2 is one of the most popular smart home chargers in the UK with both homeowners and electricians.
You can set it to charge your EV with solar energy, grid power, or both. If you have an eye to the future, you don t need solar panels or a wind generator to set up an Zappi. However, purchasing one guarantees you future readiness.
Other points of interest; They come with In-built cable tidy an LCD control panel can be Tethered or untethered. No earth rod is required. PIN locakable. UK customer help.
Bad point? They aren't subtle. Some believe they are ugly and bulky. The app that control the unit isn't as impressive as other units. Expensive - They are at the top end of the market for price.
Easee: Home and One chargepoint - £699
The Easee One is a stunningly designed EV chargepoint that stands out against the rest.
It can operate as both a tethered and untethered unit, offering unrivalled flexibility.
It also includes open PEN conductor protection, which means a separate earth rod does not need to be installed.
The dynamic load balancing allows more than one Easee One EV charger to be fitted and used at the same time. This means you can have up to three units working on the same circuit at home.
The Easee app is very user friendly and you can control everything from the comfort of your home or office.
Bad point? Unthethered units aren't as user friendly as a tethered. There is no LCD screen on the front.
Step 4: get the proper electrical permissions
If you’re thinking of installing an electric vehicle (EV) chargepoint at home, there are a few things you need to know about the electrical requirements. First, you’ll need to check with your local utility company or “DNO” (Distribution Network Operator) to see if your home’s electrical supply is suitable for EV charging.
You'll need to make sure your home's electrical system can handle the additional load of an EV chargepoint. This means that your home's fuses and main cut out will need to have enough capacity to support a new circuit. In some cases, you may need to upgrade your electrical supply before you can install an EV chargepoint. Contact Manta Power for guidance if you think this applies to you.
The circuit must be installed by a competent person who is familiar with the National Electrical Code.
Step 5: installing your chargepoint
Installing an EV chargepoint might seem like a daunting task, but with a little help from experts, like Manta Power it can be a breeze. The most important part of the process is ensuring that the ground works (where necessary) and cables are installed correctly - this will ensure a safe and reliable connection for your EV. Drilling into the property to create the necessary hole for the cable to be passed through is also crucial, and our team of experts will make sure that this is done quickly and efficiently, sealing up any holes and making the job neat and tidy.
Cables need to be clipped to a solid structure or buried underground, so if you don't have existing cables or conduit in place, you may need to have these installed before the chargepoint can be fitted. This work will need to be carried out by a qualified electrician or ground work team.
Once the groundworks are in place, the next step is to install the chargepoint itself.
A competent installation electrician will be able to identify the following key elements of an installation.
The chargepoint must be properly grounded. (most chargepoint units will contain safety devices that mean there is sufficient protection and an earth rods is not required)
The circuit should be protected by a dedicated circuit breaker or fuse. Only a qualified and competent person will be able to install the latest protection breaker and surge devices
The wiring should be installed in accordance with local building regulations.
The circuit should be tested before use. A dedicated EV installer will have an EV adapter to test this circuit.
Conclusion: the benefits of making the switch to an EV
Electric vehicles are becoming increasingly popular as people look for more sustainable and eco-friendly ways to travel. One of the main barriers to owning an electric vehicle is the lack of charging infrastructure, but having a home EV chargepoint installed can make owning an electric car much more convenient and stress-free. Here are some of the main benefits of having a home EV chargepoint:
Having a home chargepoint means you can control and top up your EV battery faster and regularly. As a habit you plug in every night to charge the car you're never left stranded without enough power to complete a journey
Safe and secure - public chargepoints can be unreliable and often not as plentiful as we would like. At home you can be sure your car is safe and sound while it's charging.
There are lots of incentives from energy companies to switch to EV specific tariffs. For example Octopus Go currently offers an over night tariff of 12p kWH (Correct as of Nov 2022)
