Home EV Charging Stations – Everything You Need to Know

Home EV Charging Stations – Everything You Need to Know

As New Zealand propels itself forward to an all-electric car future, more and more kiwis are adopting this modern technology. Electric-powered vehicles were originally only owned by a fringe community, but over the past decade, we have watched the technology really come into its stride. As New Zealand’s public and charging infrastructure continues to expand, with an EV charger currently available at least every 75km along with our state highway network, Kiwi’s hesitation towards electric vehicle adoption is rapidly dissipating.

With mass adoption on the horizon and an external charging infrastructure expanding every day, more and more New Zealanders are looking to install an electric car charger for their home. While most electric cars can be trickle-charged from a standard NZ wall outlet, the ability to be able to fast charge your car in a fraction of the time is a convenience many can’t ignore. Luckily, EV home chargers have evolved alongside their four-wheeled companions. No longer big bulky eyesores, home EV chargers feature a sleek modern design paired with intuitive functionality, and nothing exemplifies this more than Orbis’s range of VIARIS EV chargers.

What Specs Should I Look for in A Home EV Charger?

When looking for the best home EV charger to suit your needs there are a few key specs you should familiarise yourself with

• Outlet Type – The type of socket or inlet used by your home EV charger will need to match that of your car. The three main types used in New Zealand are the European Type 2 (IEC 62196), the CHAdeMO, and the Tesla Supercharger.
• Amperage (A) – This is a measure of how much current the charger can provide and is represented by the symbol ‘A’. A higher amperage will mean your car can charge faster. Most home EV chargers on the market are single or three-phase and provide power up to 22kW.
• Voltage (V) – This is a measure of the potential difference between two electrically charged surfaces and is represented by the symbol ‘V’. In New Zealand, our mains voltage is 240V so you will see this number pop up often when searching for home EV chargers.
• Power (kW) – This is a measure of the rate at which electrical energy is transferred and is represented by the symbol ‘kW’. The power rating will be determined by the amperage and voltage of the charger. For example, a home EV charger with an amperage of 10 and a voltage of 240 will have a power rating of 2.4kW.
• Cable Length – The length of the cable will determine how far away from the charger your car can be parked. Most home EV chargers come with a cable length of between 5 and 20 metres.

Now that we’ve gone over the main specs you should look for when searching for the best home EV charger to suit your needs, let’s take at the installation process.

How Are Home EV Chargers Installed?

Home EV chargers are best installed by a certified electrician. While the process is relatively simple, it’s always best to leave electrical work to the professionals.

The first step in having your home EV charger installed is to find a suitably qualified electrician in your area. Once you’ve found someone you’re comfortable with, they will come to your home to assess the best location for your charger. Once the location has been determined, they will install a dedicated circuit from your home’s main electrical panel to the chosen location. This circuit will be protected by its own fuse or breaker and will be used exclusively for charging your car.

Once the circuit has been installed, your electrician will then install the actual EV charger. This process will vary depending on the make and model of charger you have chosen but generally speaking, it will involve mounting the charger to a wall or other suitable surface and connecting it to the dedicated circuit.

Once the installation is complete, your electrician will test the charger to ensure it is working properly and that there are no electrical hazards.

Eurotec Is New Zealand’s Exclusive Supplier of the Best Home EV Chargers – Orbis VIARIS Range

VIARIS EV chargers are the pinnacle of home EV charger technology. Featuring a clean European design and a wide range of options that are customisable to your needs, the VIARIS EV charger range is the best way to charge your electric vehicle at home. Compatible with any EV (an adaptor is required for vehicles with Type 1 and Tesla sockets) these Smart chargers are WiFi-enabled to easily connect and communicate with your car for any status updates. Furthermore, the Charge Modulation allows you to efficiently and conveniently optimise your charging time while simultaneously minimising any disruption to your home’s electricity usage.

Easy to install and with 3kW to 22KW Electric Vehicle chargers available across the entire range, the VIARIS EV chargers have all your at-home charging needs covered.

Welcome to New Zealand’s Fuel Free Future

If you already own an EV or are looking to join the thousands of Kiwis that are ready to give up their combustion engines, an at-home EV charger really is the icing on the cake of an already sweet situation. Reach out to the team at Eurotec, our expert staff can answer all your questions, and provide you with information on the best VIARIS EV charger for your lifestyle. Get in touch with Eurotec today!