How much does it cost to install an electric charging station at home?
Electric charging station: Is a normal socket sufficient? What are wallboxes? What if I don’t live in a detached house? here’s the answers
Interest in the electric cars grows day by day: in this article we analyzed how much does it cost to recharge an electric car for those on the street. And if instead we had the availability of a condominium box or even a special space in an independent house, how much would it cost to install an electricity column? What are wallboxes And how much do they cost? In this article we will answer these and other questions on the subject. electric charging station:
Can a common electrical outlet be used?
electric charging station: This is perhaps the most popular question. The answer is Yes, the classic Schuko (or “German socket”), the one that is also used for the washing machine and in general for large appliances can be used for recharge an electric car at home.
The problem is that this type of socket is not designed for “continuous” use (if you think about it, even the washing machine, fridge, and dishwasher have cycles in which they draw more or less current). For this reason, to avoid safety issues (i.e., dangerous overheating) it is best to use these sockets only for an occasional recharge. And anyway, be very careful.
Charging via a common Schuko socket is not recommended even for very slow charging times. The ideal is to call an electrician (especially in the case of a system with many decades behind it) to check if the system needs to be adapted to the installation of a charging station.
Install an electric column in the house. What are wallboxes
The wallbox (or wall box) they are smart sockets that represent an evolution compared to common domestic sockets. THE benefits of a wallbox? Not only does it allow you to recharge the electric car by taking much more energy from the home system in complete safety, but also to do it in very fast times.
Which wallbox to choose? The powers available are 3.7 kW and 7.4 kW in single-phase, or even 11 or 22 kW with a three-phase system. The choice of one or the other power is linked to both the internal charger of the electric car, both at the home meter power.
If the internal charger of the electric car can only draw 3.7kw, and the installed wallbox is 7.4kw, the charging will take place at maximum 3.7kw.
The wallbox they can also be interfaced with a system photovoltaic. In this way the charging costs could even be zero. electric charging station:
Is it necessary to increase the power of the meter?
If you are not in a hurry and are willing to leave the car in charge for 6 hours (the average time needed with 3.7kW, with no other simultaneous power user in the house, that is) the meter with standard power of 3 kW could even be enough.
If, on the other hand, you are in a hurry, the increase in the power of the meter is essential. To proceed, you need to contact your electricity supplier, who will in turn send the request to the local distributor. The latter will have to proceed within five working days (if it is not necessary to intervene on the meter) or within twenty days, after delivering a quote.
The transition to a higher power also involves the annual outlay of about two tens of euros for each additional kW requested. This expense can be reduced switching to another energy supplier, and by signing a contract with more advantageous rates (even at fixed prices). Orient yourself in free market for electricity and gas, however, it can be a complex activity to tackle and often you don’t have the time or the desire to do it. It is therefore better to contact a rate comparator as Tiscali Tagliacosti, which allows you to compare the best offers on the market and have a free personalized consultancy service.
As regards the stations for charging electric vehicles, THE ARERA (Regulatory Authority for Energy, Networks and the Environment) has clarified that the tariffs applied in them are the same for domestic uses. And therefore, an approximate average of € 0.20 per kWh. If this were not the case, the cost per kilometer driven by an electric car would be much higher.
How much does the installation of a wallbox cost?
Unlike public electric vehicle charging stations (which directly supply direct current), the wallbox deliver AC which, once arrived at the charger installed on the car, is transformed into direct current.
The market offers various solutions, in order to have “optimized” recharging times it is essential to consider the characteristics of the electric car and the wallbox you intend to install. For a correct choice, we rely on a qualified technician, who will give appropriate advice and install the system in compliance with the CEI EN 61851-1 standard, following the parameters essential for safety.
What is the cost of installing a wallbox, so? It starts from a minimum of € 600 for those with a very slow top-up to reach € 3000 (and more) for the fastest ones. There budget law 2022 (approved on December 30, 2021) confirmed until 2024 the bonus electric car columns, which provides for an incentive of 40% for the costs incurred for the purchase and installation of infrastructure for charging electric cars, both for businesses and individuals.
Install an electric charging station in an apartment building
Who does not live in a detached house how could he do for install a wallbox (or a charging station) in an apartment building? These are the possible alternatives:
- Installation in a private garage or parking space: in addition to bearing the related expenses, it is only necessary to send all the information to the condominium administrator. The condominium assembly has a say only on the decorum and safety of the intervention.
- Installation in a condominium area intended for parking: in this case the installation could interest, in the immediate or future, other condominiums. The proposer must present to the assembly, which will decide by the majority, a detailed project and the estimates of the companies interviewed.
- Installation in a condominium area not intended for parking: it is essential to change the intended use.
Finally, the condominium assembly cannot oppose the installation of charging columns but can expect both to define the installation methods and to require that safety and decorum be ensured, as well as respect for the rights of all condominiums. .
If the person submitting the request does not obtain the consent of the assembly, they can still proceed with the installation, respecting the common areas.
How to further reduce the cost of recharging an electric car?
Simple, switching to another energy supplier able to propose cheaper tariff packages.
To have a lighter bill (also given the dizzying increases in the energy component) you can contact Tiscali Tagliacosti, which provides a precise and reliable comparison between the rates proposed by the best operators on the free market.
Plus, if you still can’t make up your mind, you can have a free personalized consulting service. All with a few clicks of the mouse or with a few touches on the smartphone.