Electric Vehicle Charging FAQs
How long will it take to charge my car?
It depends on the battery size in your car and the power of your charge point. Typically plug-in hybrids (e.g. Golf GTE, Prius) charge at a rate of 3.7kW, fully charging within 3 hours. Fully electric cars (e.g. Tesla) can charge at 7.4kW on a single phase supply but have a much bigger battery, a 75kWh Tesla Model S would take 10 hours to fully charge. A 3.7kW charge charges at a rate of approximately 12mph, a 7.4kW charge would charge at a rate of approximately 24mph.
Can I charge my EV with solar panels?
Yes, there are a couple of ways to do this. One is to use the dedicated Zappi charger, which diverts excess generation into an electric vehicle. In this way, what would have been exported back to the grid is now providing you with zero-carbon mobility. However, you would need to have your EV parked up at home during the day.The alternative is to use a battery system to store this energy, and then discharge this into your EV in the evening/night-time. The battery would also cover your household loads one the sun has gone down.
Can I charge my car directly from my solar (no inverter required?)
No. Electric vehicles charge from an AC supply.
Do different EVs require different chargers?
There are two standard connectors which different models of EV use (Type 1 and Type 2), the market is moving to using Type 2 as standard but charge points are available in either and there are also Type 1 to Type 2 adaptor cables.
How much is an EV charge point? Are there grants available?
The cost of a 7.4kW charge point is under £1,000 supplied and installed, an OLEV grant covering half of this cost is available so you can expect to pay £400-500 inc. VAT.There are also grants available for businesses wanting to install charge points at workplaces. For more information on the EV charger grants available for residential and business use, click here.
How much can I charge my neighbour for using my EV charge point?
Joju can supply EV charging solutions which allow you to charge others to use a charge point you install. The rate you set is up to you.
Will EV chargers blow my fuseboard?
Joju will carefully check your existing electrics to ensure that you don’t blow your main fuse. In some instances we may suggest you install a 3.7kW charger rather than 7.4kW. Usually this is not an issue.
How long will it take to install an EV charger?
An installation will typically take half a day. If your fuse box is far from the charge point location or cables need to be run through internal rooms, the installation may take a little longer.
Click here to find out more about EV charger installations.