A beginner's guide to electric cars: how to choose the right home charging station?

Congratulations! You have decided to purchase an electric car. Now it's time to choose the electric vehicle (EV) part - the home charging station. It may seem complicated, but we're here to help! For electric cars, the home charging process is as follows You arrive home - press the unlock button on the car's charging port - get out of the car - (soon) get the cable from the new home charging station.

Summary:Find it a few feet away and plug it into the car's charging port. Get in the car and enjoy the comforts of home while it quietly charges. And that's it! Who says electric cars are complicated?

Now you've read the Electric Car Starter Guide: how to charge at home. Now you understand the benefits of equipping your home with a Level 2 charging station. We've put together this handy guide to help you choose the right charging station for your home.

In North America, all electric vehicles (EVs) use the same Level 2 charging jack.The only ...exception are Tesla cars, which come with an adapter.

Otherwise, whether you drive an Audi, Chevrolet, Hyundai, Jaguar, Kia, Nissan, Porsche, Toyota or Volvo, all electric cars sold in North America use the same connector for charging, namely the SAE J1772 connector. . Homes with Level 2 charging stations.

Whew! Now you can be sure that any Level 2 charging station you choose is compatible with your new electric car. Start by choosing the right home charging station.

Choose a home charging station location

First, think about your parking spot. Do you usually park your electric car outside or in the garage?

This is important because not all home charging stations are weatherproof. Even weather-resistant devices have varying levels of durability under various extreme climatic conditions.

So if you live in an area where electric cars are exposed to freezing winters, torrential rain, or extreme heat, be sure to choose a home charging station that can withstand such extreme weather conditions.

As for extreme weather conditions, in colder climates, it's best to choose a home charging station with flexible cables.

Where should the charging station be installed?

Speaking of cables, when choosing a household charging station, pay attention to the length of cable associated with it. Each Level 2 charging station has different cables for different devices. With parking in mind, determine exactly where you want to install your Tier 2 charging station and make sure the cable is long enough to reach your electric car's port!

For ex.smart charging stations can be controlled remotely with a cell phone app via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. These smart home charging stations won't charge any faster, but offer benefits like access control and data tracking. If you're interested, check to see what smart features a particular home charging station offers before you buy.

Keep in mind that most electric cars have their own smartphone app that can perform some of these smart functions. Therefore.

Final aspects of choosing the right home charging station

Cable management: Some models have a cover or hook to secure the cable and plug. This protects them from damage and avoids additional clutter in the garage.

Locking mechanism: if you plan to install the portable charging station outside, lock both the unit and the connecting cable from the EV. This will help prevent children and animals from stealing or playing with the 240V outlet. A simple step that can keep you out of a lot of trouble!

Size and appearance: this depends on personal preference, but consider the weight of the station if it is portable. Note that while you may like the design, it's important not to prioritize aesthetics over the basic functions that best suit your lifestyle.

Ready to choose the right cleaning station?

If you've answered every question in this guide, you have what it takes to choose the right charging station. Browse through the available Level 2 charging stations to find the right one.