Electric Car Home Charger
Installation in Dorset

The charging speed you can get for your EV from a home charger depends on the type of charger you have. There are three main types of home chargers:

• 240-volt chargers: These use a 240-volt outlet and can add about 10-20 miles of range per hour.
• DC fast chargers: These use a high-voltage outlet and can add about 50-80 miles of range per hour.

The charging speed of your EV will also depend on the make and model of your car. Some cars have faster charging capabilities than others.

Whether or not your mains supply needs upgrading to install an EV charger at home depends on the following factors:

• The type of EV charger you want to install: Faster chargers with a higher output may require an upgraded mains supply if your current supply is not powerful enough.
• The number of EV chargers you want to install: If you plan on installing more than one EV charger, you may need to upgrade your mains supply to accommodate the additional load.
• The condition of your current mains supply: If your current mains supply is old or damaged, you may need to upgrade it regardless of the type of EV charger you want to install.

Yes, solar panels can be used to charge electric cars. In fact, this is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint and save money on your energy bills.

There are a few different ways to charge an electric car with solar panels:

• Direct charging: This is the most straightforward way to charge an electric car with solar panels. You simply install a solar panel system on your home or business, and then connect the car to the solar panels using a charging cable.
• Battery storage: If you have a battery storage system, you can use the excess electricity generated by your solar panels to charge your car at night or during times of low sunlight.
• Net metering: If your utility company offers net metering, you can send excess electricity generated by your solar panels back to the grid and get credits for it. These credits can then be used to offset the cost of charging your car.

The amount of electricity that you can generate with solar panels to charge your electric car will depend on the size of your solar panel system, the amount of sunlight in your area, and the efficiency of your car's charger. However, even a small solar panel system can generate enough electricity to charge an electric car for a few hours.

If you are considering charging your electric car with solar panels, there are a few things to keep in mind:

• The size of your solar panel system: The size of your solar panel system will determine how much electricity you can generate. If you want to be able to charge your car completely with solar power, you will need a larger solar panel system.
• The amount of sunlight in your area: The amount of sunlight in your area will also affect how much electricity you can generate with your solar panel system. If you live in an area with a lot of cloudy days, you will not be able to generate as much electricity as someone who lives in an area with a lot of sunny days.
• The efficiency of your car's charger: The efficiency of your car's charger will also affect how much electricity you can use to charge your car. If you have a charger with a high efficiency, you will be able to use more of the electricity generated by your solar panel system to charge your car.

Overall, solar panels are a great way to charge electric cars. They are a clean, renewable source of energy that can help you reduce your carbon footprint and save money on your energy bills.

Yes, you can charge your EV using economy tariffs. Economy tariffs are time-of-use tariffs that offer lower electricity prices during off-peak hours. This means that you can charge your EV overnight, when electricity prices are typically lower, and save money on your energy bills.

However, not all electricity suppliers offer economy tariffs, so you will need to check with your supplier to see if they do. You will also need to have a smart meter installed, as economy tariffs are not available with traditional meters.

If you are considering charging your EV using economy tariffs, there are a few things you should keep in mind:

• You will need to have a smart meter installed. Smart meters allow your electricity supplier to track your energy usage in real time, so they can bill you based on the time of day you use electricity.
• You will need to charge your EV overnight. This is when electricity prices are typically lower.
• You may need to upgrade your mains supply. If you have a large EV, you may need to upgrade your mains supply to accommodate the additional load.
• You may need to pay a separate charge for economy tariffs. Some electricity suppliers charge a separate fee for economy tariffs.

There are a few EV home charger grants available in the UK, including:

• The EV Chargepoint Grant: This grant is offered by the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) and provides up to 75% of the cost of installing a home charging point, up to a maximum of £350.
• The Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS): This grant is offered by OZEV and provides up to 75% of the cost of installing electric vehicle charging points at workplaces, up to a maximum of £350 per socket.
• The Energy Saving Trust (EST): The EST offers a number of grants for electric vehicle charging points, including a grant of £300 towards the cost of installing a home charging point for people who live in rural areas or buy a used EV.

To be eligible for these grants, you will need to meet certain criteria, such as having a dedicated off-street parking space. You can find more information about these grants and how to apply on the OZEV website.