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Home vs. Public EV Chargers: What’s Best for You?
By David Lewis, Electric Vehicle & Clean Energy Journalist.
Want to charge your electric vehicle (EV) at home, or use one of the growing number of public chargers? Here’s everything you need to know.
The number of electric vehicles (EVs) on UK roads continues to rise, and so does the demand for convenient and cost-effective charging options.
Whether you’re new to the world of EVs and want to know how much it costs to charge an electric car, or you’re just looking to optimise your charging routine, choosing between home and public EV charging can significantly affect your wallet and lifestyle.
This guide will take you through the various options and the key differences between them, and help you decide which option is best for you.
EV Charging Options: An Overview
EV chargers come in different forms with a variety of power levels, which impact how quickly they’ll recharge your battery.
- Standard chargers vary in speed from 3 kW up to 7.9 kW. If you can get a charger installed at home, it will typically be 7.4 kW which is fine to charge your vehicle overnight. The charging technology is known as 'AC'.
- Standard Plus covers AC chargers rated from 8 kW up to 49 kW. These will generally be chargers you find in public locations like car parks. Bear in mind that many EVs have a maximum AC charging limit of 11 kW.
- Rapid chargers range from 50 kW to 149 kW. These use 'DC' technology and are typically much faster than AC chargers. You find these, for example, at motorway service stations and are designed for quick battery top-ups (e.g. 20-40 minutes)
- Ultra-rapid chargers are rated at 150 kW and above. They are the same as rapid chargers, but faster. Your EV will have a maximum DC charging limit. For example, if your limit is 200 kW (DC), you can't charge faster than that even on a 350 kW charger.
Home EV Charging: Pros and Cons
The upsides to home EV charging include:
- Convenience: You can charge your car overnight while you sleep – no need to wait in queues or make detours.
- Lower running costs: Home electricity rates are usually much cheaper than public charging tariffs.
- Eligibility for government grants: Renters and flat owners can take advantage of the EV Chargepoint Grant, which can help with installation costs.
- Better battery care: Slower charging is less stressful on your EV’s battery over time.
- Can be paired with solar panels: to reduce charging costs even further
However, there are some downsides:
- Upfront installation cost: A typical home electric car charger installation costs between £800 and £1200, though some grants could reduce this.
- Not suitable for all homes: If you don’t have off-street parking, charging at home can be difficult.
- Slower than rapid charging: Even Level 2 home chargers are considerably slower than Level 3 public chargers.
Public EV charging: Pros and Cons
The benefits of topping up your battery at a public charger include:
- Speed: DC fast chargers can give you very speedy top-ups to get you moving again on long trips.
- No installation needed: Much more convenient for those without off-street parking.
- Growing infrastructure: The UK’s public charging network continues to expand rapidly. Fast chargers can be found in a range of locations from motorway services and supermarkets to retail parks and more.
But the downsides of using public chargers should be considered, too:
- Higher cost per kWh: Public charging can cost two or three times more than home charging.
- Availability: Chargers could be out of service or in use by someone else.
- Inconvenience: Using a charger requires an element of planning, especially on longer journeys.
- Membership apps and payments: Some networks require you to sign up or download an app in order to use their chargers.
In the long term, home charging is significantly more cost-effective, especially if you can combine it with off-peak or smart tariffs from your electricity supplier.
Which option is best for you?
Home electric charging points are ideal if:
- You have off-street parking
- You drive regularly and want to minimise your running costs
- You want maximum convenience and control over your charging
However, public electric car charging is better if:
- You live in a flat or rental property with no access to a private charger
- You drive infrequently or can access free public chargers
- You often make long trips that require top-ups on the go
Ultimately, many EV drivers use a combination of both. Home charging is the most convenient and affordable for daily use, but public charging is vital for longer journeys and those without home charger access.
Further questions about charging an EV at home or in public?
Phone our dedicated EV team now on 0118 3048 688. Or email us at enquiries@selectcarleasing.co.uk.
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