The decision to purchase an electric vehicle also means that you want to have a way to charge the car at home. That will mean looking into the options for residential EV charging solutions and how they would work at your home. Before you buy anything, take the time to look closely at all the alternatives. Evaluate each one based on the following four points.

The Station Design

There’s more than one design for EV charging stations. Some of them are designed to be compact, while others are larger. There are stations that come with additional features, including some that make it easier to measure the progress of a charging while it’s in progress. It’s up to you to decide what features matter and how a particular design would work best for your needs.

As with many types of devices, you’ll find that some designs are more efficient than others. Make it a point to read up on reviews for all the designs that have caught your eye. What you learn will make it easier to narrow the range of choices.

Where You Will Place the Station

There’s more than one spot for a charging station at your home. The goal is to identify the one that would make it easier to put the station to good use. This is important any time, but it’s especially important if there will be more than one electric vehicle to charge.

Depending on what you have in mind, positioning a station so that it could be used in the garage may be a good idea. If it’s a two-car garage, mounting the station on a back wall in the middle area would make it easier to use with both vehicles. You can also consider the idea of placing a station alongside the driveway if that would make things easier.

The Type of Plugs Involved

At present, the outlets found on different makes and models of electric vehicles have not been standardized in the United States. This means you have to be mindful of what sort of outlets and plugs you will need. Fortunately, the auto manufacturer can often provide a list of companies that manufacture the type of EV charging solutions that will work for you.

Cross reference the automaker’s list with the specifications associated with each of the stations that you are considering. You should see your make and model listed among the vehicles that can be charged using that station design.

The Charging Speed

It’s important to realize that it takes longer to charge a vehicle than it does to fill a tank with fuel. While several factors influence the time, you should remember that it will take around a half-hour to recharge most cars to a capacity of 80%. This isn’t a problem if you plan on being in for the evening, but it could be a factor if you need to recharge the car at some point during the day.

Make sure that the station you choose has a reasonable ability to charge the vehicle as quickly as possible. Based on the car design and the type of battery that’s in use, it won’t be hard to determine what constitutes an efficient charge time.

Remember that your goal is to invest in a charging solution that will serve you well for a number of years. Compare designs carefully and look closely at the specifications and what sort of upkeep is required. Doing so will ensure that you enjoy excellent service for a long time to come.