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Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging

We specialise in the installation and maintenance of electric vehicle charging points across Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire. Our services cover both home and business/fleet installations, along with other commercial and domestic electrical works.

Experience and 
Expertise You Can Trust

Call now for EV charger installations, maintenance and electrical infrastructure upgrades!

As the demand for hybrid and electric vehicles (EV) continues to rise, so does the demand on the infrastructure to adapt accordingly. When deciding to make the switch to an EV, a home charger / wallbox installation should be one of the first things you consider.

 

Chargepoints have become an essential for many homes and businesses, especially when you have a driveway, garage or other form of accessible off-street parking available.

 

Whether it be concerns about the environment, increasing oil prices or even a company vehicle incentive, EV charging point installation goes hand-in-hand with the choice of an electric motor vehicle.

More on EV Chargers

What EV Charger brands do you work with?

As qualified and professional EV chargepoint installers we deal with a number of brands. We're often asked which are the most common, so here's what we've found our clients in the Herts and Beds area have selected. 
 

  • Andersen

  • Easee

  • Hypervolt

  • Pod Point

  • Sync EV

  • Zappi

For more information on how we can help you please feel free to get in contact

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FAQs

We’re asked many questions concerning EV charger installations, so here are a few of the common ones we thought we could help answer.

Q: I’ve heard about an EV grant, does that apply to me?

Up to March 2022 the UK government issued grants of up to £350 to help towards the cost of getting a home EV charger installed - this was known as the Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme (EVHS). The scheme was replaced by The EV chargepoint grant, which is only applicable to people who live in flats or landlords. The WCS (Workplace Charging Scheme) however, is a voucher-based scheme that can provide support towards the up-front costs of the purchase and installation of EV chargepoints, for eligible businesses, public sector organisations and charities. Check the government website for the latest information.

Q: Is it really worth getting an electric car charger installed?

Yes, and here are three reasons as to why… - Charging from home or the workplace is significantly cheaper than using motorways and public charge points. Plus reduces general wear and tear on the vehicle over long periods of time. - Home chargers / wallbox are more practical, convenient, efficient and in some cases have the advantage of smart technology. - A slow charger (only for emergencies) could take in excess of a day to charge a EV, and a three-pin plug and socket were never designed to take such a heavy load for long periods of time.

Q: What can affect the installation cost of an electric car charger?

Building construction - Let’s say for example, the building is quite old with very thick exterior walls (made of a material like stone for instance), the additional time, expert care and effort taken to drill through might affect installation costs. Location of the internal electricity distribution board - You may require additional wiring if the desired location for the chargepoint is a long way from your internal distribution board. Building electrical systems - Although this won’t apply to many, some buildings with older electrics can require additional updates beforehand. This is to ensure that the system can meet the high demands placed on it by a chargepoint. Added extras - We understand that some clients require facilities such as floodlighting to ensure clear visibility at night. We can of course help with this during your chargepoint installation, just contact us for more information.

Q: Can I install an EV charge-point in my house or flat?

In short, yes. BUT to install your own chargepoint you must own your house or flat, have a dedicated parking space and the required permissions from the managing agent or freeholder(s). As you can see above there are some considerations at hand before you install an EV chargepoint. We can walk you through these with a free survey of your property to establish the best options for you.

Q: Are there different types of EV charging points?

Yes. Ultra Rapid and Rapid (aka super chargers), Fast and slow are four main types of EV charging points, though only rapid and fast are recommended. - Ultra Rapid & Rapid chargers can mainly be found at service stations along the motorway and various public locations, such as cities and busy towns where the facility is particularly required during a journey. As an example of charge time, the Tesla Supercharger can take just 15 minutes to charge the vehicle up to a 200 mile range (around 80% of the battery). - Fast chargers are the most common type of charger available. They are used for home and business location charging. Installation of fast chargers enables people to charge their vehicles within a matter of hours. The number of hours of course depends on the vehicle and charge point rating (eg. 7kW, 11kW or 22kW), but typically fast chargers will charge vehicles from 0-100% within 6-12 hours. - Slow chargers are deemed as an emergency case use only. They take a much longer time to charge than using a fast charger and are not a long term solution due to increasing the likelihood of an overload on the sockets in your house.

Q: What’s the difference between Type 1 and Type 2 connectors for my EV?

There are two types of EV charger plugs: Type 1 and Type 2. Type 2 is the standard type in the UK and the rest of Europe. Although dependent on the vehicle, Type 2 generally provides a higher range of charging per hour, is more compatible with public charging stations and more secure.

Q: What is the difference between EV charging mode 1, 2, 3 and/or 4?

To summarise the four different charging modes for charging electric cars here’s each one. - Mode 1 charging is where an EV is charged with AC (alternating current) from a regular power socket (generally not advised) - Mode 2 also charges an EV with AC in a similar fashion but provides a level of shock protection (via a mobile charging station) for your home and vehicle - Mode 3 is the most common form and involves charging and EV with AC but with a stationary (hardwired) wallbox/ home charger - Mode 4 is usually found on motorways. It’s different because it supplies DC (direct current) from the charging station to the vehicle, rather than being converted in the vehicle

Q: Will my electrical panel support an EV charger installation?

Our team will assess your electrical panel capacity during the consultation to determine if any upgrades or modifications are required. In most cases, we can make the necessary adjustments to support the installation.

Q: How long will an EV chargepoint take to fully charge my car?

This is a very common question which is dependent on several factors but as a rough guideline. If you had a 7kW, this would take in the region of 4 and 8 hours to fully charge your electric vehicle, again this would depend on the battery size etc.

Q: How long does an EV chargepoint installation take?

The installation time can vary depending on various factors such as the type of charger, existing electrical infrastructure, and any necessary upgrades. Typically, a standard installation can be completed within a few hours.

Q: What is "smart" EV charging? 

Smart EV charging is a type of electric vehicle (EV) charging that uses an internet-connected charger to communicate with your car and with the grid. This allows the charger to optimize the charging process for both the customer and the grid.

Q: What are the benefits to smart EV charging?

- Save money on your energy bills: Smart EV chargers can help you save money on your energy bills by charging your car when the grid is greenest and energy is cheapest. This means you can take advantage of off-peak rates and avoid paying peak demand prices. - Help the grid stay stable: Smart EV chargers can help the grid stay stable by reducing the strain on the grid during peak demand times. This can help prevent blackouts and brownouts. - Give you more control over your charging schedule: Smart EV chargers can give you more control over your charging schedule. This means you can set up a schedule that fits your needs and avoid charging during peak demand times. - Help the environment: Smart EV chargers can help the environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This is because they encourage people to charge their cars during off-peak hours, when the grid is powered by cleaner sources of energy.

Q: When referring to EV charging what do the terms “untethered” and “tethered” mean? 

Ultimately, the best type of EV charger for you depends on your individual needs and preferences. Here's some information to help understand. - Tethered EV chargers are more convenient because you don't have to worry about carrying a charging cable with you. They're also a good option if you have limited space, as you don't need to store a separate charging cable. However, tethered EV chargers can be more expensive than untethered EV chargers. - Untethered EV chargers are more flexible because you can use them with any car that has a compatible charging port. They're also a good option if you travel frequently, as you can take the charging cable with you. However, untethered EV chargers can be less convenient than tethered EV chargers, as you have to carry the charging cable with you.

Q: Can't I just charge my car from a normal 3-pin plug?

We do not recommend doing this for several reasons and here's why... The maximum current draw from a standard domestic 3-pin socket is 13A. This means that it will take a long time to charge an EV using a 3-pin plug. For example, it could take up to 18 hours to fully charge a Nissan Leaf using a 3-pin plug. Charging an EV with a 3-pin plug can put a strain on the electrical circuit. This is because the 3-pin plug is not designed to handle the high current draw of an EV. If you overload the circuit, it could cause a fire or other damage. Charging an EV with a 3-pin plug is not as safe as using a dedicated EV charger. Dedicated EV chargers are designed to handle the high current draw of an EV and to provide protection against electrical hazards.

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