How to choose the right EV charger for your car

Electric vehicles (EVs) are the future of transport, and whether you’re considering getting one now or later, a key consideration is going to be how you charge it. The good news? As EV numbers grow, so does the range of electric vehicle chargers, and there are plenty to choose from. Here’s everything you need to know about selecting, buying and installing an EV charger at home.

The basics: What is a home EV charger?

Sounds simple, right? Well, there’s a little more to it. Before buying an EV home charger, you need to work out the type of power you have – single phase or three phase – and if there’s enough power to run the charger.

The type of power affects charging time and efficiency. ‘Single phase is what every most homes would have access to,’ Neil says. Three phase power better accommodates higher loads. ‘Three phase is becoming more common largely because of induction hot plates – if you’ve got an induction hot plate in your home, you’ve probably got three phase power. That means the vehicle can charge much more quickly.’ (Your home’s power supply can be converted by an electrician but this can be costly.)

Discovering these things – and deciding which EV charger you need – will be part of the installation process, but will also depend on the type of car you buy. Some models charge faster on three phase power, while other models won’t charge faster on three phase, so are better suited to single phase power.

You might also see the terms Level 1, 2 and 3 in reference to EVCs. Level 1 is a cable from a normal power point, level 2 is a wall charger (or hardwired charger) and level 3 is a fast charger (such as a Tesla Supercharger you’ll find along highways).

Another term to keep in mind is ‘plug types’. This is in reference to the physical plug end of the charging cable.

Types of chargers: wall chargers

There are a couple of different styles of EV chargers, with wall chargers being a common choice for home charging.

‘EV wall chargers are the fastest charging option and there are different tiers as to how fast they charge, with the three-phase version being the fastest,’ Neil says. ‘They don’t necessarily have to be in a garage either. An IP-rated charger could be in a driveway and mounted on a pole.’

Here are four different brands of wall chargers:

Arlec is an affordable entry level choice that has the benefit of Australian-based support.

Deta allows for smart connectivity via Grid Connect. This means you can track how much power is used and have more control over when the EVC is charging. (Deta is also a good choice for tradies installing wall chargers into customers’ houses because the range includes installation accessories like Circuit Protection and IP-rated switchboards.)

DeWalt has a rugged-style housing coupled with smart connectivity via the DeWalt EV Charger App.

Tesla Wall Connector with its sleek product design, is in line with the style of the Tesla EV. It’s used in conjunction with the Tesla app.

All chargers can be purchased in selected stores but it’s a good idea to check stock levels at your nearest Bunnings before heading in. 

Types of chargers: portable EV chargers and public EV chargers

Portable chargers are exactly what they sound like and best for keeping range anxiety at bay. ‘They basically plug into a normal 240 volt plug, but they will take about 20 to 24 hours to fully charge a vehicle,’ Neil says. ‘They’re generally bought for travel, as a backup if you can’t get to a public charger.’

Public chargers are dotted around New Zealand and their numbers continue to grow. A couple of things to consider when using public chargers – it pays to plan your trip before leaving home, although some cars like Tesla have apps that will do the planning for you. The other thing to remember is to always pack your own  charging cable (aka a portable charger). Not all public chargers have in-built cables (although Tesla Superchargers do).

To find out more about traveling and charging an EV, read ‘How to charge an EV on the road’.

What else do I need for charging at home

There are a few other accessories that make charging at home easier. ‘Charging cables vary in length from about five to seven metres,’ Neil says, noting you’ll need to measure the distance from the wall charger to the charging port in the car to work out which cable you’ll need – you can’t use regular extension cords for EV charging so this step is important to get right.

‘The cables can also be quite heavy and become a tripping hazard, so we’ve got a number of products that help you get the cable out of the way,’ Neil says. These include wall brackets, cable protectors and a charger stand.

Check out ‘What you need to get your home EV ready’ for the full list.

How to install an EV charger at home

For a wall-mounted, hardwired charger, the installation must be left to the professionals: you need a certified electrician to complete installation.