EV Charging Systems Which is the Best Type for Your Home?

Buying an electric vehicle can be an enticing experience. From saving thousands of rupees on fuel to doing your bit for the environment, EVs offer numerous benefits! That said, your new or impending purchase may also be getting you worked up about the charging options, especially at home. Thankfully, we have got you covered.

But, first things first. We have all heard, that EVs can be easily charged at home via a generic 13A plug. Then why opt for a dedicate  d charging system? Well, here's your answer –

• EV chargers can help you enjoy much faster charging times (based on their rated capacity), something which a 13A plug point cannot accomplish.
• The built-in protection systems in EVs enhance the overall safety of your car.
• EV Chargers are often enabled with OTP / RFID authorization systems, thereby offering you complete control over who can access your charging point!
• Features like smart charging, remote access, etc. are only provided by EV chargers, and not by your run-of-the-mill 13A plug!

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Also Read: These Indian Cities Have The Highest Number Of Electric Charging Stations

Types of Home Chargers for EV

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When it comes to charging your electrical vehicles at home, there are a wide array of options including –

• Type 1 AC Charger

This type of charger usually requires a generic AC socket and can offer charging power levels of up to 220 volts, given a maximum current of 16 amps.

One of the major limitations of the Type 1 Charger is that it is unable to determine the requisite amount of current needed for charging a specific EV.

• Type 2 AC and DC Charger

Known for its fast-charging capabilities, Type 2 charger works well with three-phase input power systems. As the name suggests, such a charger is compatible with both AC and DC charging systems. It is ideally suited for vehicles with a Combined Charging System (CCS). Known to handle charge power levels of up to 440 volts, Type 2 chargers are one of the most widely used home solutions for EV charging.

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• CHAdeMo

Yet another fast-charging solution, CHAdeMO offers can deliver power levels of up to 500 volts. While this solution has been around for almost a decade, it is only now making its way in India, and quite rapidly so.

• GB/T Type Chargers (EESL)

Installed by the public sector undertaking Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL), GB/T type chargers are essentially DC fast-charging solutions. These are known to provide power levels of up to 415 volts. What makes this charger unique is the fact that it falls under the Government of India's mandated DC 001 standard for EV chargers.

Pro Tip - If you are concerned about safety, you can also opt for Type 2, CHAdeMO, or GB/T chargers with electronic or manual lock systems, to help prevent theft during charging.

EZcharger Home Charger (Tata)

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Offered by Tata Motors, the EZcharge home chargers often have numerous features such as Faster Charging Tate, Safety & Protection, Access control, and Smart Charging amongst others. These features make this charger far better than the ones offered by the OEM of your electric vehicle. 

Also Read: Are Electric Cars Faster Than ICE Cars? Go Figure.

Swappable Batteries

More often than not, home charging points need you to charge the vehicle for at least 1-2 hours, before you can take it for a drive. If you're someone who's often on the go, and cannot afford such wait times, you can also opt for EVs with swappable batteries. Swapping the battery is often fairly convenient, and doesn't take longer than a minute or two.

Some of the major names in the Swappable Battery segment include Sun Mobility, RacEnergy, Amara Raja Power Systems, and Lithion Power. Of course, you must only opt for this solution, after you have considered all facts and specifications provided by your EV manufacturer.

Now that you know all about the various types of home charging solutions for your EV, you must understand two important aspects –

• Regardless of the charging speed claimed by the charger, the time taken to charge will largely depend on the EV that you're using, its battery type and range, as well as the size of the battery pack, complete with the technology used.
• Having a dedicated parking space will prove to be much more beneficial when it comes to installing the EV charger, and ensuring the safety of your EV while it is being charged.

We hope the aforementioned information will come in rather handy when it comes to selecting the right type of home charger for your EV!