How to choose the best electric vehicle charge point for you

Home charging serves many benefits for EV users. It is easy, convenient, and home charging offers the user the option to control the times at which you charge. With OZEV grants available, home charging has become more affordable to electric vehicle owners.

When it comes to picking the best home charger that is suitable for you, there are a few questions you need to ask yourself:

•  How much does an electric car home charging point cost?
•  Do I qualify for an OZEV grant?
•  What are smart features?
•  How will my charger look?
•  How does the installation process work?

How much does an electric car home charging point cost?

Depending on your charging needs, the price may vary for a home charge point.  You may find that the price will have an impact on which charger will work best for you. Everun offers several chargers depending on what is best suited for you. We currently supply charge points from Wallbox, Project EV, Ohme and Andersen. 

For a 7.4kW Wallbox Pulsar Plus charger, prices are from £585 plus the OZEV (Office for Zero Emission Vehicles) grant.  This charger is compatible with Type 1 or Type 2 electric cars and also includes Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity.  Project EV’s 7kW Charger is also available, which is compatible with Type 1 or Type 2 electric vehicles, and prices are from £500 (plus OZEV grant.) 

Do I qualify for an OZEV grant?

Everun are fully OZEV accredited installers which means you can claim £350 back on the cost of your charger installation. We apply for government grants via the OZEV scheme for home installations on your behalf. To claim this grant, you must be eligible and meet their criteria. For example, you must own, lease, or have ordered a qualifying vehicle and have dedicated off-street parking at your property. Wondering if you are eligible for the grant? You can get in touch and chat to one of the team.

What are smart features, and do I need them?

Most charge points allow for smart charging to take place where your vehicle and charger, the charging operator and your electricity provider are communicating. When this happens, your plugged-in vehicle will send all important data to optimise charging. Users can manage the charging of their EV efficiently from an app compatible with your charger.

All of Everun’s chargers can be paired with their own individual apps which offer more smart features allowing you to: 

• Monitor the status of your charger;
• Use Intelligent power adjustment such as programming it to charge at cheaper rates;
• Schedule charging;
• WiFi/Bluetooth/Ethernet monitoring;
• Use Solar Power if you have panels installed; 
• View real time statistics; and
• Protect your charger by blocking it from unwanted use through remote software locking.

Features may vary depending on your chosen charger.

How will my charger look?

Our range of chargers are all compact and easy to install but we also offer different styles to suit your home charging requirements.  With the Andersen A2 charger, it cleverly hides the integrated cable and plug but still has a stylish finish. The Wallbox Pulsar Plus is also available in Black or White..

There is also the option of tethered or untethered – what’s the difference? There are pros and cons to both.  When a charger is tethered, this means that the cable is completely attached to the charge point and there is no need to go and retrieve the cable.  Untethered chargers are when the design of the charge point has one or more sockets and no cables attached, meaning the EV owner can use the cable that comes with the car. 

How does the installation process work?

Everun supplies, installs and offers maintenance for your electric vehicle charger where the process is as follows:

Advice on charging requirements >> Planning & Design >> Hardware supply & installation >> Funding application

Our team will take care of the funding application for you as part of the installation process, keeping it all as hassle free as possible! 

Everun will also assist you through the NIEN process where the Northern Ireland Electricity Network must be notified about your home charger. The process works like this:

• You must supply an MPRN number (this will be found on an electricity bill or you can directly contact NIEN)
• Everun them submits your application form where this will take ten days to process 
• After this is processed your electric vehicle home charger will be installed. 

You can get in touch with us to better understand the chargers we offer and how installation works.  Contact us here or find us via LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook or Instagram. Or call today on 02896 936 300.