Charging station, wallbox , charging cards and a charging station with or without back office. Plus the question of whether you are going to use 1 phase or 3 phases when charging. Choosing the right charging station is incredibly difficult. Unless of course you know what to look for; and actually that is not as difficult as most people think .
You choose a charging station that is suitable for your current EV, or a charging station with a higher capacity so that it can also optimally charge your next EV. Whether you choose a mobile charger, fixed charging station or a wall box depends on your budget, space and your own wishes.
After reading this article, you will know exactly how to choose the right charging station for your driveway.
The capacity of the charging station; how does that work exactly?
The charging station or wall box is the best way to charge your EV at home. You always pay the price that you have agreed with your electricity supplier. And you know for sure that you can connect the EV to the charger when you get home. Charging at home is therefore more convenient than a public charging station.
But how do you choose the power? It's actually quite simple. The charging station (or wall box ) converts the alternating current in the charger itself to direct current, because the battery pack in the car works on direct current. If you have a fast charger and a slow car, then you are not charging optimally. Do you have a slow charger and a car that can charge very quickly? Then you are not charging optimally either.
It is generally recommended to choose a charging station or wall box with a charging speed that is equal to or higher than the charging capacity that is suitable for the current EV. There is a good chance that your next electric car can handle a higher charging capacity. It is useful to choose your charging station based on this now. Especially when you choose a fixed charging station or a wall box .
Are you opting for a mobile charging station ? Then you can simply find the right charger for the car without taking into account a future car. Mobile chargers are cheaper, can be sold or delivered with the car when it changes owner.
Do I choose a charging station or a wall box ?
The charging station is a pole that is placed freely and where you can connect the car with a plug. The wallbox is always mounted on your home or an outbuilding. This means that your situation determines whether you choose a charging station or a wallbox . Is your EV always on the driveway, right next to the house? Then a wallbox is the best solution. Is your car along the street and not near your house? Then you choose a charging station (you place this on your own property of course).
Charging on 1 phase. Or on 3 phases?
When it comes to charging the EV, it quickly becomes about charging on 1 phase or 3 phases. An interesting question that is not always relevant to you. First check whether your EV can be charged on 3 phases. If that is not the case, this piece does not apply to you. Can your EV be charged on 3 phases and are you currently charging on 1 phase? Then you should read on .
Charging on 1 phase means little more than charging on a connection with one phase wire. In concrete terms, this means 220 or 230 volts. A connection with 3 phase wires delivers a maximum of 400 volts (it is therefore also called power current). With a 3-phase connection, you can literally charge three times faster than with 1 phase.
Before you start working on your meter cupboard; leave this to an electrician. If you do not (yet) have a 3-phase connection, the connection must be reinforced. In older homes, there is often no 3-phase connection. A tip from us; do you have a separate connection in a shed or garage? Then let the electrician look at this first; there is a good chance that a reinforced connection can be found here, especially if you live outside the city.
The reinforcement of the connection is done by the network operator who will have a specialist electrician come by. The average cost for reinforcement of the connection is € 300.
Pay attention when ordering a mobile charger when you are not sure whether you are going to use 1 phase or 3 phases. First check whether you can charge on 3 phases or whether it will be 1 phase because the car is not suitable or the connection is not ( yet ) reinforced.
Which charging station suits you best?
If you are looking for a charging station and would like a brief overview of what you should pay attention to, then look at the following points in particular;
- Make sure that the maximum charging capacity/speed of the charging station is at least equal to the maximum charging speed of the car. Ideally, the speed and capacity of the station should be higher than that of the current EV
- Choose a wall box if the EV is permanently placed next to the home or another building
- Choose a charging station when the car is not parked next to the home or another building
- Choose a charging station that is prepared for 3-phase charging if the EV is suitable for this and you have a 3-phase connection or have one installed
- Ideally, choose a charging station with dynamic load balancing
Dynamic Load Balancing ; a useful extension
Dynamic load balancing is not something you really need. But it is very useful. A charging station with dynamic load balancing measures and knows how much capacity is still available. In concrete terms, this means the following: when you do laundry and cooking, the charging station charges more slowly so as not to overload the network. When everyone goes to sleep, the charging station takes the maximum power from the network so that the EV is fully charged before you wake up!
