Part of buying your first electric vehicle involves figuring out where you’ll charge it. Most likely, your home doesn’t have a built-in EV charger and you’re left with a decision to make.
Do you install a home EV charger, or do you drive to a Superstore parking lot and charge there?
No matter where you live, you can likely install a home EV charging station. We strongly recommend that anyone who can install a home EV charger, does so.
As you’ll learn in this blog, charging your EV at home is convenient, cost effective, and safer than the alternatives.
1. Residential EV Charging Stations Are More Convenient
Perhaps using public charging stations as your primary way to charge your EV initially sounded like a good idea. But, as you may discover, it soon gets annoying.
Yes, the majority of public EV chargers are free to use, but the rising popularity of EVs means that there are fewer available chargers. That means you’ll have to schedule around the available time slots, instead of charging your EV whenever it’s convenient for you.
There’s also the issue of what to do while your vehicle charges.
When it’s dark, cold and snowy, the thought of driving your car to a charging station and either sitting there while it charges or walking home and picking it up later sounds less appealing than it did in the summer.
Read more: How to Choose the Right Home EV Charger
2. Home EV Chargers Allow For Predictable Charging
Public chargers are perfectly safe, but they do come with some risks and uncertainties. Leaving your car at a public charging station carries the same risks as leaving your car unattended in public anywhere else.
You increase the likelihood of vandalism and theft. Your vehicle is also exposed to the weather and can be damaged by rain, snow, and strong winds.
Having your own home EV charging station removes any unwanted surprises. Any problems that may arise can be addressed immediately, and you don’t have to worry about sharing your station with a stranger!
In the event that something goes wrong with your charger, or if you have any questions, buying an EV charger from a company that has a 24/7 support team, such as Flo, will reduce stress and provide peace of mind.
3. Smart Electric Car Chargers Can Be Controlled Remotely
If you decide to purchase a smart charger for your home, it can be controlled right from your smartphone. There is truly an app for everything.
Smart chargers gather useful data about your EV, your charging system, and overall energy consumption and relay it back to you.
Additionally, they allow users to control the maximum amount of energy the charger can draw and automatically test the connection between vehicle and device before charging, making the charging process even safer.
The smart chargers we sell at Western Integrated Home allow users to remotely configure their settings and view usage data from a secure online portal. And new functionality is constantly being added over time.
Bonus Tip: Research Available Rebates for Additional Savings
The BC government offers rebates for residential EV charger installations. These rebates can include 50% of the costs of the purchase and installation of a charger, up to $350.
You may be eligible for a rebate and can begin the application process if:
- You purchased a cUL, cETL, or CSA certified charger (such as a Flo charger).
- The charger is Level 2 (208V or 240V).
- Your property was built more than 6 months before the EV charger installation.
- It’s been less than 90 days since the installation.
Rebates are also available for owners of houses, apartment buildings and condos. The complete list can be found on the BC Hydro website.
Final Thoughts
Having a home EV charger simply makes your life easier. It prevents the hassle of driving your EV to a charging station and removes any uncertainty about whether the charging station is available and functioning properly.
If you want to know more about how to install a home charger in your home, condo, or strata, the checklist below covers everything you need to know.