You’ve decided to invest in a hybrid or an electric vehicle. That means you will want some way to charge the vehicle at home. You’ll find there are a number of electric car charging companies with equipment that you will want to consider. As you do, make sure you find answers to the following questions. What you learn will narrow the range of choices and help you find the right charger.
What Types of Plugs Come With Your Chargers?
There’s a good chance that your vehicle will come with a charging outlet that is designed to work with the plugs that are prevalent in your country. Even so, there may be exceptions. Your best bet is to look over the details about your car and identify the type of charging plug that’s compatible. From there, you can focus your attention on chargers that will work with your vehicle.
Keep in mind that there are adapters that can be used with various types of EV chargers. This is helpful if you have friends who own electric vehicles that need a different type of plug. If that sounds good, focus on companies that have this type of support equipment as well as the chargers.
Will the Chargers Require Special Housing or Bases?
Some types of chargers need to rest on a concrete base. Others have no special base requirements. You may also come across some that need to have rails around them, while others can be free-standing. Look for designs that will work well in the space where you plan on positioning the charger.
Maybe it will fit into the garage, possibly along the wall that the car faces when inside. You may also look for chargers that can be mounted alongside the driveway if you usually leave the car parked outside rather than in the garage. The goal is to ensure you have safety as well as convenience when it’s time to charge the vehicle.
How Fast Does the Charger Work?
There are Level 1 and Level 2 chargers with different amps and volts. You will want to identify what range would work well with the circuit capacity of the home’s wiring. This will ensure that you don’t overload the system while charging the car and trip the breakers.
You’ll find that most electric car charging companies have charts that detail the circuit capacity needed to work with their chargers. They will also provide some idea of how fast the charger will work based on that capacity. Choosing the best one allows you to plan on how long to charge the car before you head out for the day.
What Kind of Warranty Protections Come With the Charger?
Given the fact that you will spend a reasonable amount of money for a charger, it makes sense that you want to have some manufacturer protections in place. Should the charger fail due to a manufacturing issue, replacing it at little to no cost should be an option.
Before making any assumptions, read the warranty terms and conditions from start to finish. They will likely include the provision that the charger is installed by an authorized party. If that provision is not followed, the warranty may be voided in part or in full.
Remember to ask any questions that come to mind before you make a purchase. Listen closely to the answers and how they relate to your needs. If you like what you hear and the charger seems to be a good fit, buy it and arrange the installation. Once that’s done, you can rest assured that your car will be ready to go when you are.