Although there are grants and other incentives to encourage consumers to make the switch, the lack of public charging stations around the country is still a big worry. As of the end of 2021, there were over 45,000 electric vehicles,  including plug-in hybrids, registered on Irish roads.   However, there are only 1,350 ESB-operated charge points. This number needs to increase if the government is to meet the requirements of the Climate Action Plan and add a target of  936,000 electric vehicles on the road by 2030. 

The plan to introduce more EVs is a key part to helping combat climate change. A recent survey completed between IEVOA and Energia found that 91% of survey participants completed the vast majority of their charging at home.  Home charging is the most convenient and cost-effective way of charging your electric vehicle. It is only fitting that we prepare this installation guide to answer some common queries. 
 

How to Install an EV Charger at Home:

If you're planning on installing a charging station in your home, it’s essential to use a certified electrician to do the work for you. Be sure to do your research and read reviews before making the final decision on an installer. Proper electric car charger installation requires the skills and tools of trained EV charger providers such as Energia.  
 
The more information you can provide to us during your order, the fewer delays in getting your charger up and running. A typical installation can take 2 to 4 hours but if the installation is more complex than originally thought then it could take longer. The process includes:

1. The electrician or installer will confirm a suitable time with you to make a visit.
2. They will discuss with you a suitable location on the wall to install the charge point.
3. The installer will fix the charger to the wall and connect it to your home's main power supply. Your electricity supply may need to be shut off for a short period of time during this step.
4. He/she will bring you through a demonstration of how the charger will work and the different functionalities. Feel free to ask as many questions as you like during this step. 
5. Finally, you’ll need to supply the installer with your Wi-Fi password so they can complete the setup and configure the EO Smart Home app.

How Long Does It Take to Charge an Electric Car?

This is a very popular question among new EV owners and the question isn’t as straightforward as you may think. The time it takes to charge an electric car depends on factors such as the type/capacity of charger you use and the size of your car’s battery. Chargers with high wattage and amperage have a faster-charging speed than other types of chargers.
 
At Energia, our electric chargers provide power up to 7kW. A 50kWh battery could be charged from empty to full in just over 7 hours using this type of charger.    On the other hand, it may take slow chargers more than double this time to reach a full charge. 

Advantages of Charging at Home:

There are many advantages of using a home EV charger rather than solely relying on public chargers:
 

1. There are SEAI grants to help with the installation fee. A scheme introduced in 2018 provides grants up to €600 for the purchase or installation of a home charger unit.
2. The convenience of charging your car overnight means that it’s ready for you to hit the road first thing in the morning.
3. Having a home charge point allows you to save time on queuing for public charge points which can be busy during certain periods. 
4. Relying on public charge points to get you from A to B can increase stress and anxiety when it comes to driving ranges, especially if your nearest one is offline or broken.