If you're planning on buying an electric car, you'd probably want to charge it at home. You may have heard that it takes hours. Now it's time for you to check out how to choose a fast charger for an electric car, i.e. Wallbox?
In this article you will find out:
What is a Wallbox?
What is a Wallbox - how to choose?
How long does it take to charge an electric car?
It's worth knowing that not only fully electric cars can be charged at home, but also plug-in hybrid cars. This makes it possible to cover short, urban distances practically only in electric mode, so you reduce exhaust emissions to zero and save fuel. These are just two of the many reasons why you should buy a home car charger.
What is a Wallbox?
Wallbox is often used in the context of BEVs and PHEVs. It is a device designed to be installed in homes, most often in garages, less often in driveways or near parking spaces. Simply put, a Wallbox is simply a fast charger for EVs and plug-in hybrids. Depending on the expected power output of the device and the installation options, the Wallbox is connected to the existing power grid or to a dedicated circuit, for example, using a separate power meter. Get to know the distinctive features of AC home chargers and choose the one that suits your needs.
Wallbox - how to choose?
Each device of this type is characterized by several basic parameters. You will find among them:
- power expressed in kW (kilowatts). This directly affects how long it takes to charge an electric car. The power of the wallbox depends on its design and the type and power of your electrical connection.
Connection type: for single-phase (220 V) or three-phase (380 V) installation. The higher the voltage, the greater the power of the device, but not everyone needs to have a three-phase installation at home. On the other hand, the connection can be designed at the design stage of the house or garage project.
- The size of the fusing: 10A, 16A or 32A. It depends on the reserved capacity of the connection, which in turn is specified in the contract with the energy supplier. The larger the main circuit breaker, the more energy the Wallbox can charge in the same amount of time. In practice, you can ask the supplier to increase the connection capacity if necessary.
- The plug model, which depends on the socket in your electric or hybrid vehicle. In most cases this will be a Type 2 plug, it is the most widely used in Europe. There are many adapters on the market that allow you to charge your car with other types of plugs (e.g. Type 1).
How long does it take to charge an electric car?
In practice, the performance of the charger translates into charging time. When you connect your car to the electrical system with an ordinary plug cable, you run the factory charger built into the car or its portable equivalent. This gives you a maximum output of approximately 3 kW, which takes the Nissan Leaf (40 kWh battery) from zero to 100% ... more than 12 hours.
This is where a fast charger for electric cars, such as the 22 kW Wallbox, comes into play. With this version of the device, you can fully charge the same Nissan Leaf in less than two hours. Of course, such a high-power Wallbox requires a three-phase installation with 32A fusing, but for example, even a regular 11kW Wallbox will charge a car in 4h. These examples will immediately show you why it's worth buying a Wallbox. A simple electric car charging time calculator lets you see how long it takes to refuel your car. At the same time, each Wallbox monitors the charging parameters and in case of any error or risk, the Wallbox will arrange for safe operation, which is not possible with a conventional electrical outlet.
Let's summarize the most important issues:
Which charging power to choose?
The difference on the market in terms of charging power is mainly due to the electrical installation in the house. The main factor when choosing a wallbox should be the technical conditions available at the connection point. Before buying, make sure you know what power you can afford or, if you are planning to build a house, inform the designer of this requirement. As a rule, you will probably be deciding between a 3-phase 11kW or 22kW charger. You also need to take into account how much power your electric vehicle can handle, the EU is creating pressure for most on-board chargers to support 11kW (due to the fluctuations in grid draw during charging) but there are still vehicles with 22kW chargers.
What are the reasons for the differences in wallbox prices?
The main reasons for the difference in Wallbox prices are additional features, such as extending the functionality with a mobile app, a securing RFID reader, the ability to share the charger with other users, or some power. Wallboxes of good quality start at around 600 Euro and their prices can go up to 1800 Euro.
Do I need to call an electrician to install the Wallbox?
The charger is usually installed by attaching it to the wall and then plugging it into a power source. While this is not complicated, it is advisable to have a professional do it.
Can the Wallbox also be a portable charger?
The standard Wallbox is a stationary charger, the dimensions of which usually do not allow you to take with you on a trip. However, there is a solution on the market - the POCKETBOX high-capacity mobile charger from Green Wallbox, which allows you to charge your car with up to 16kW of power. The small size and handy carry bag allow you to take it with you on any trip, and the interchangeable adapters allow you to charge from any standard power socket.