Have you recently started driving electric? Or have you been driving electric for a while but now want to optimize home charging? Then you can choose between a fixed or a mobile charging station. Both chargers have their own advantages and disadvantages. We recommend looking at the situation and the charging properties of the car in order to make a good choice.
Typically, the following factors are most important when making a choice:
- A fixed charging station (or wall box ) is (slightly) safer than mobile chargers;
- A fixed charging station (or wallbox ) can charge faster than most mobile chargers; however, this only makes sense if the inverter in the car can handle the higher charging speed;
- Fixed charging stations (or wallboxes ) are a more attractive solution than mobile charging stations; however, this mainly applies to long-term use;
- Mobile charging stations are cheaper to purchase than fixed charging stations, but usually need to be replaced sooner.
Wait a minute, why do you need your own charging station?
Very simple, because:
- Public charging can be up to 4x more expensive than home charging
- A home charger is always available, without a queue
- This way you can drive away every day with a full battery
- You can charge completely green (eventually) and that it is completely sustainable
The mobile charging station
The mobile charging station is actually nothing more than two plugs with a box in between. One plug is inserted into the socket (wall socket), the other plug goes into the EV. Mobile chargers are cheaper than fixed charging stations and contrary to popular belief, these chargers are preferred by most people. In fact, it is mainly the mobile chargers that are used in the Netherlands for home charging.
Although fixed chargers are safer, the safety of the mobile charger has increased considerably. The better mobile chargers, such as the mobile chargers you find in our webshop, are protected against overcharging. Most chargers are also equipped with a restart function. Useful when there is a dip in the power network or when the power goes out for a short time. The mobile charger picks up the charging itself again, so that the battery of the EV is simply full the next morning when you drive away.
Mobile chargers also offer a lot of freedom. You can simply take the charger with you in the car. This way you can also charge at friends' homes or at work. Please note that most chargers do not measure consumption; this means that you do not know exactly how many kWh you have used from your boss or family.
Please note the capacity of the mobile chargers. There are still many mobile charging stations on the market with a capacity of 10A. This is less than the number of amps on your fuse box; there is a 16A fuse in it. Always check the charging capacity of your EV and your fuse box before choosing a mobile charger.
Charging via the socket with a mobile charger?
In most cases, charging via the socket is sufficient when you can charge with 1x16A. Of course, this depends on the car and your power connection. Is the connection reinforced and do you have a separate group with 3 phases for charging the EV? Then you can charge much faster, but only if the EV is suitable for this. Therefore, always check the charging specifications of the EV first; it mainly concerns the capacity of the inverter in the car. This must convert the alternating current to direct current.
View the various mobile chargers for 1 phase or 3 phases directly online. Don't know which model fits your car and connection? Then ask an electrician or contact us so that we can look together at the suitable charger for you at home.
When do you choose a fixed charging station?
Is there no suitable power outlet near the EV's parking space? Do you not want to have a new connection installed? Do you want optimum ease of use, including a back office with the option to keep track of the exact number of kWh charged, for example because the EV is used for business purposes? Or do you want to be able to let other people use the charging station, who you then send an invoice to afterwards? Do you want everything to look neat and for everything to have a fixed place?
In that case, the fixed charging station is the better option for you. A fixed charging station or a charging box on the wall is the way to have a higher ease of use, with more insights into how much has been charged by whom and at what time. These are immediately the biggest advantages of the fixed charging stations compared to the mobile charging stations.
Do you need a charging station for business charging with all the insights into consumption? Then choose a fixed charging station with back office .
