With more of our Cwmbran customers considering investing in electric vehicles, EV charging points are in growing demand.
With many things to consider before buying an electric vehicle; here is a complete guide of everything you need to know before biting the bullet.
Firstly, why should you consider an electric vehicle in Cwmbran?
One of the easiest ways to reduce your carbon footprint is to use an electric or hybrid vehicle. Electric vehicles have no tailpipe meaning air pollution is reduced massively. Fully electric vehicles produce no carbon dioxide emission when in use. This improves air quality for you and your local community. It's suggested that in just over a year, one electric car can save 1.5 million grams of carbon dioxide. This is a lot, to put this into perspective, 1.5 million grams of carbon dioxide is equivalent to a few return flights from London to Mainland Spain! Remember this is in just one year, imagine how much carbon dioxide you could save over 3 or 4 years.
Is your Cwmbran property suitable?
There are a few requirements that your home needs before you can have an EV charging point installed. These include:
- Clear and easy access to off street parking or garage: The proposed area needs to be clear of obstruction and at least two metres away from any protected monument, listed land and public highways like footpaths. The charger must also be at least 2.5 metres from any metal object with electricity connection, such as a lamp-post. Most garages and driveways will meet these requirements so don’t worry too much.
- Electrical systems: Before the EV charging point can be installed your existing electrical system (fuse-box / consumer unit) may need to be upgraded to cope with the added pressure. An overstretched electrical system could cause serious harm.
- Location: You should also consider where your EV charger will be in relation to the car’s plug-in. Also most chargers will need wifi connection so for your charger to work effectively it shouldn’t be too far from your wifi router.
EV charger design
Over the last few years, EV chargers have become sleek, understated and modern. With a range of different models, colours and cases to choose from, you can settle on a charger that compliments your Cwmbran home.
Charging speeds
With standard, fast and rapid chargers available; how do you know what’s best? Well, it's worth considering how often your electric vehicle will be used and how long you will be driving it. A good, all round, affordable charger is one with a max charging rate of 7kW. These chargers can fully charge your vehicle in 4-8 hours. They are a great option for overnight charging and although your electricity bills will go up, it’s a manageable rate.
Choosing an established & reputable EV charging installer
Installation of EV chargers can only be carried out by a skilled, experienced and qualified electrician or installer. Installations must conform to electrical safety standards and wiring regulations. PG Electrics are your local, qualified, EV charger installers in Cwmbran. For more information regarding the installation process, contact PG Electrics today.