How to Choose an Electric Vehicle Charger for Your Home

How many kW does a home charger need to be?

Power depends on both your home's electrical infrastructure and your vehicle's on-board charging capacity. A single-phase installation generally allows 7.4 kW; a three-phase installation allows 11 or 22 kW. But if your vehicle's on-board charger accepts, say, 11 kW, buying a 22 kW unit brings no extra speed; the unit cannot exceed the power the vehicle accepts. For most home users, the 7.4–11 kW range provides a comfortable charge overnight while the vehicle is parked. So rather than more power than you need, it is better to choose the power that suits your infrastructure and your vehicle.

Is a socketed or tethered charger better?

Both have their advantages. In a tethered model, the cable is fixed to the unit; you come home and plug in, which offers the most convenient use and is especially handy in a private garage. In a socketed model, the cable is separate; it offers flexibility with different vehicles and cables, the cable can be replaced when needed, and it is generally more suitable in an apartment or shared car park. So the choice depends on where you use it: a tethered model makes more sense for a single-vehicle private garage, and a socketed model for a multi-user shared car park or where flexibility is wanted. If day-to-day convenience is your priority, lean tethered; if adapting to different vehicles and cables is your priority, lean socketed.

What should I pay attention to in a home charger?

Look at five points: whether the power suits both your home's infrastructure and the vehicle's on-board capacity (7.4–11 kW is enough for most homes); your socketed-versus-tethered preference; smart features such as OCPP compatibility, a mobile app, scheduled charging, load management and RFID; on the safety side, CE conformity and the IEC 61851 standard, a protection rating such as IP65 for outdoor use, built-in residual current protection along with overcurrent, overvoltage and temperature protections; and finally, qualified installation and the support of a manufacturer you can easily reach for spare parts and warranty. Bemis devices are designed to be OCPP compatible and are produced at its own facility in Bursa.

Which smart features matter in a charger?

Smart features carry a unit forward from today into tomorrow. OCPP compatibility provides remote management and the ability to connect to a charging network; a mobile app lets you control the unit from your phone. Scheduled charging lets you start the charge during a cheaper night-time tariff, and load management lets you charge in a balanced way without overloading the home's main fuse. User authorisation (RFID) lets you control who can access the unit. These features are valuable especially in apartments and shared use, as well as for anyone looking to lower energy costs; they extend the life of your device and give you the flexibility to connect to a charging network later. Because Bemis devices are designed to be OCPP compatible, they are ready for this management and network integration from the outset.

Who should I call to install a home charger?

A charger should always be installed by a qualified electrician; it is best connected on a dedicated line with appropriate protection equipment. Correct installation is essential for both safe and efficient operation; a poor installation means slow charging or a safety risk. It is important that the unit has CE conformity and the relevant standards such as IEC 61851, an IP65 protection rating for outdoor use, and built-in residual current protection. Choosing a manufacturer you can easily reach for spare parts, warranty and technical support also makes a difference in the long run. Bemis is a manufacturer producing at its own facility in Bursa.