What Should You Be Aware of When Charging Your EV?

As the number of electric vehicle (EV) sales continues to rise, so does charging opportunities. Converting to an electric vehicle not only is a greener solution, but it can be more cost-effective also. An EV has fewer parts than a traditional petrol or diesel car, meaning it is less likely to break down. You also do not have to pay road tax on a fully electric car. But what charging solutions are available? We will cover everything you should be aware of in regards to charging stations, home charging points and hiring a mobile EV charging service.

EV Charging Stations

As of the beginning of 2022, there were 28,375 public chargers, of which 5,156 were rapid in the UK. The number of devices is slowly improving, with centres transformed into charging stations dedicated to EVs. In populated areas, charging stations are quite frequent however, for smaller towns and off-grid locations, EV drivers will find it hard to charge. For businesses, it might be worth considering hiring charging points, as it can attract potential customers and put their business on the charging map.

Yet, charging stations also have their share of problems. For instance, lately, a number of EV drivers have been fined when charging their vehicles at public points. Those not reading the fine-print could face tickets amounting to £120 for parking longer than allowed. However, the parking time is usually much shorter than what an electric vehicle requires to fully charge. Recently, Lidl has charged a driver £90 for failing to register their number plate, after they charged their vehicle outside of working hours.

Charging stations also can cause queues from the lack of chargers available and how long it takes to fully charge.

Home Charging

Installing a home charger can sometimes be a good alternative to charging stations. As the level of public charging points does not meet the demand, many are charging their vehicles domestically, in homes that have the space. The cost for this can vary, depending on charger and labour costs, but typically they start from around £450. It can increase the house’s overall value and EV drivers can take advantage of cheaper “off-peak” electricity rates.

However, there are a lot of disadvantages to installing a home charging point. As aforementioned, to install a hardwired charging point means you need enough space for the wiring. But what if you live where there is limited parking? Home charging points are not flexible and offer less mobility than other charging solutions. Also, if you want to move the point, an electrician would have to come out to uninstall then reinstall; costing more money.

In addition, home chargers can frequently overpower the local grid, causing problems in the community. Other alternatives should be considered to avoid this.

Our Services

Destination charging is a great way to make sure your electric vehicle remains fully charged for all of your journeys. Using a mobile EV charging service, you can decide when and where you charge your vehicle; not having to rely on nearby charging stations, which may result in queues. There are many benefits to hiring a portable charger. For example, if you are renting an electric car for a certain journey, it is more cost-effective to hire a charger rather than going to a charging station. No matter how impractical or off-grid a location is, a portable charger lets you remain connected wherever you go.

Here at Elite EV Charge, we offer temporary and permanent mobile EV charging service to EV drivers across the UK. Whether this is on journeys through off-grid locations, or event charging at places such as football stadiums, we are here to help! We promote the use of carbon-free solutions such as electric vehicle charging, as we want to collectively help lower the planet’s carbon footprint.  

To receive a quote on our services, fill in our online form. A member of our team will be in contact to find out how you can benefit from a mobile EV charging service. Alternatively, follow us on Instagram for daily tips on everything from destination charging to the best electric cars.