If you want to charge your electric car at home, a charging station is the best option. Power outlets can be used, but only as an emergency solution. That is what many people claim, but this is not entirely correct. Are you unable to install a charging station or do you need a temporary solution? Then charging via a power outlet is not a bad choice at all, although there are of course a number of things you should pay attention to.
In this blog we will tell you everything you need to know about charging via a wall socket, including the duration, costs, disadvantages and how to ensure that you can safely charge your electric car even via a wall socket.
The big difference between charging via a socket and a charging station
If we assume a situation where safety is taken into account (correct connections to otherwise empty groups and the use of high-quality charging cables, charging stations and mobile chargers), then the only major difference between charging via a socket and charging at a charging station is the speed at which charging can be done. As standard, you can charge via a socket at a maximum of 2.3 kW (partly because this is the maximum load that you can connect to a socket), while the most common charging stations can now charge from 11 kW or even 22 kW (if you have the right connection for it).
If the situation is not ideal and the mobile charging station or mobile charger is connected to a random socket, which later also turns out to be used for the stove and the kettle, then the actual charging speed is much lower. If a standard cable is used that does not adapt, then the fuse will remove the voltage from the group.
Another big difference that is often mentioned is the difference in price. This largely depends on the comparison you make. If you compare the price of an extensive 22 kW charging station with a standard charging cable with a Schuko plug (that fits your socket), the price difference is quickly € 1000 or more. However, if you compare an average charging station with a high-quality mobile charging station (including the box that communicates with the car and prevents overloading), the price difference is smaller, although the installation costs must also be taken into account with a charging station. You do not have these with a mobile charging station, unless a special group has to be installed by an electrician. However, the costs for this are usually much lower than having a charging station installed, which often also requires groundwork.
Approximately how long does it take to charge an EV from a wall socket?
Since the charging curve decreases after 80% charge with faster charging options, we looked at the charging time required to charge an electric car with a battery pack of 60 kWh (on average) to 80%. If you choose a fast charger (250 kW, so an HPC along one of the larger highways or at a fast charging square), you will be done within fifteen minutes. If you choose a public charging station or charging station at home at 11 kW, this will take you about 4.5 hours. If you use a charging station at home on the minimum connection of 3.7 kW, you will need just over a day, with 13 hours, to charge the 60 kWh battery to 80%.
How long do you actually need to charge at the 2.3 kW we mentioned earlier via the socket? Then you can't leave for a while. It takes 21 hours to charge the car to 80%. In concrete terms, this means that with daily use of the car, you will never actually get the battery to the full 100% if you only charge at home via the socket.
However, a major caveat to those 21 hours is urgently needed
21 hours is an incredibly long time if you need the EV every day for long distances. However, if you don't need the electric car every day or if you drive less than 100 kilometers per day (and can possibly charge while shopping or working)? Then charging via a wall socket is not a bad idea at all. You don't need an 80% or 100% battery charge: you need enough range to be able to cover the distances you have to drive in a day. The electric car also indicates the range in kilometers at any time, so that you know exactly whether you can get to your destination (and back).
How much does it actually cost to charge your electric car via your power outlet?
The price per kWh is often lower at home than at charging stations and fast chargers (which are always the most expensive). The actual price naturally depends on your energy contract and whether you have flexible or fixed rates. Do you have a contract with off-peak rates? Then adjust your charging accordingly. A smart mobile charging station is then the best option and this always pays for itself because the charging station will charge as much as possible at the lowest rates.
If you want to know exactly what you pay, multiply the charging speed (for example 2.3 kW) by the price per kWh. You then have the price you pay per hour of charging, with which you can easily calculate the price of a full battery (number of kWh of your battery pack divided by the average charging speed per hour x the price per hour).
At what power can you charge when charging via a wall socket?
A normal socket can deliver a power of 3.7 kWh, but that is actually never used because there is a risk of overload. Most charging cables with Schuko plugs therefore have a maximum charging speed of 2.3 kWh, which is also the maximum load that you can connect to any socket.
Here too, we must make a number of comments. The charging speed of 2.3 kWh is only achieved on a group with its own fuse that is not used otherwise, except by the high-quality socket used to charge the car. In most cases, this means that the meter cupboard for charging via a socket must be adapted, because an extra ALS must be placed on the DIN rail.
Safety when charging via a power outlet
Above you have already been able to read quite a bit about safety, which is important to prevent overload and even fire. However, if you charge via a socket, there is more that you need to take into account. For example, you cannot use extension cables and it is important that the charging cable (or mobile charging station) is in a safe place. If someone trips over the cable, there is a good chance that the socket will be damaged. Is this the case? Then this socket may no longer be used to charge the electric car.
Advantages and disadvantages of charging via a wall socket
For your convenience, we have briefly listed the main advantages and disadvantages.
The advantages of charging via a wall socket:
- Lower purchase costs, even when a completely new group has to be created.
- Often you can start it yourself as long as you have a good socket on an empty group with its own fuse.
However, the disadvantages are:
- By default, you charge at a charging speed that is so low that the car needs about 24 hours before it is fully charged.
- Mobile charging stations and special mobile chargers with extra security are more expensive than standard models, which you should not use every day for safety reasons.
- No insight into consumption costs.
- No option to start or stop charging remotely (unless you choose a more expensive mobile charging station).
- Even with the extra safety measures, you are still left with the risk of overload.
Is charging from a wall socket the best option for you?
Charging your electric car via the socket is certainly possible and is especially an option if you recognize yourself in several of the situations below:
- You actually mainly charge at work or at a public charging station and you like this.
- You only drive short distances with the electric car.
- You do not use the electric car every day and have time to leave it on the charger.
- You cannot install a charging station because there is no space or budget, or you do not want a charging station.
In the above cases, there are numerous mobile charging cables and charging stations with a Schuko plug that you can connect to a socket that is connected to a separate fused group. Always check in advance whether the socket is in good condition and never use extension cables.
In all other cases, it is advisable to have a charging station installed, because it charges faster and offers a higher degree of safety.
After reading this blog, do you still not know which option suits you best and are you hesitating between a charging cable with Schuko plug for charging via the socket and purchasing a charging station? Then contact us. Our experts will be happy to look with you and help you find the product that best suits your situation, electric car and budget.
