Do you drive an electric car, or will you soon? Then you will want to charge it at home. An ordinary socket is not designed for that: it charges slowly and is heavily loaded during prolonged use. A charging point is safer and faster. What should you look out for?
1. The right charging power
More power is not always better. It depends on what your car can handle, on your connection (single-phase or three-phase) and on how many kilometres you drive every day. For most households, a charger that fully charges the car overnight is enough.
2. Are your connection and distribution board ready?
A charging point gets a dedicated circuit with the right protection. In older installations the distribution board sometimes needs to be adapted. An electrician checks this beforehand.
3. The location
Choose a spot close to where you park and, if possible, close to the distribution board. The shorter the cable, the simpler (and cheaper) the installation.
4. Smart charging
A smart charger can adjust the charging power to the consumption of the rest of your home, so your main fuse does not trip. If you have solar panels, you can charge with your own solar power.
5. Inspection
A new circuit for a charging point is an extension of your installation and must comply with the AREI, with updated diagrams.
6. Premiums and taxation
Premiums and tax benefits for charging points change regularly and differ for individuals and businesses. Check the current rules on vlaanderen.be or with your accountant.
Want a charging point installed? Read more about our EV charging points or request a no-obligation quote.
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