Innovation is affecting every industry, even the automobile industry. In addition, many consumers want to make their lives more sustainable. This is where electric cars come in. 

In recent years, so many people are gravitating towards these vehicles. In fact, by the end of February 2023, there were 690,000 electric vehicles registered in the UK. 

Since these cars are so popular, it makes sense to invest in quality EV chargers. If you’re new to EV chargers or want to learn more about your innovative automobile, here’s everything you need to know about EV car chargers. 

What Does The UK EV Ecosystem Look Like?

Before we look at what EV chargers are and how they work, let’s look at the UK’s current EV charging ecosystem.    

With an electric vehicle, you don’t need to recharge or refuel your car the same way you would use a traditional model. EVs should be topped up through specific charge points to ensure uninterrupted driving.   

Usually, low-powered EV car chargers are installed in areas where EVs will spend the most time. In this manner, the car will charge faster while you spend time at this location. 

The best way to charge cars like this includes recharging them overnight at home or refuelling while at work. This process highlights the general EV charging ecosystem in the UK. 

EV Charging By Numbers

Here are some important statistics highlighting EV charging stations' growth in the UK.

• With the UK government proposing a complete ban on petrol and diesel cars by 2030, we can expect more EV charging stations to open to accommodate electric vehicle drivers. (Wagonex, 2023). With more electric car drivers, these charging ports are expected to become more accessible in terms of geography. 
• To meet the demand for electric vehicles, a record number of EV charging stations will open up in 2023. Experts predict a 30% increase in electric vehicle charging infrastructure, bringing the total to 37,000 ports. (The Guardian, 2023). 
• Out of the 37,000 installed charging points, over 21,000 were rated as fast chargers, making up 57% of all charging devices. (Gov UK, 2023). 

What Are EV Car Chargers?

As the name suggests, an EV charger is a piece of equipment that supplies electrical energy for charging plug-in electric cars. 

It doesn’t matter if you have a hybrid or battery-powered EV, as every electric vehicle needs a high-quality charger.  

Think of this device as the life source for your car, so it makes sense that you should only opt for the best. 

Just as there are various options for fuel-powered vehicles, you can also choose between multiple EV chargers for your car. 

Choosing Between AC and DC Electric Vehicle Charging

Before you purchase an EV charging point, pay close attention to how it changes electric current. 

When you charge an electric vehicle, the alternating current or AC from the power grid must be converted into direct current (DC) to power your car. If you opt for a DC charger, it will automatically do the conversion. 

If you install an AC charger, your vehicle will convert the current to DC but at a slower rate. This is why most AC chargers top at 22KW, while DC chargers go up to 100KW or more. 

Even though this makes DC chargers more pricey, they provide better performance overall than the AC models. 

What Are The Different EV Car Charging Speeds?

As we’ve mentioned before, there are several varieties of EV charge points. Learning about these different versions will help you choose the right one.  

While there are many versions, we’ll look at the four common types of EV chargers. 

Slow EV Charging Points

Slow charging stations are often one of the most economical options. These are only ideal if the car is parked for several hours, such as overnight or during your working period. While some slow charge points reach 3 K, most usually fall between 2.3 to 6 KW.  

Another critical thing to remember about these is that slow EV chargers come untethered, so you need to get a cable to connect them to the charge point. 

Fast EV Charging Points

Fast EV chargers are ideal if you plan on leaving your car for a few hours. These charging stations perform better than the slow ones. These devices come in a range of 7KW to 22KW, and you can easily find them outside your home too. 

Most of them usually come in the 7 KW range, which is more than enough for overnight charging. While there are some with 22KW power, they are rare in household settings.

Rapid EV Charging Points

If you want a high-speed DC charging station, there is a device to opt for. Here you can find power ranging between 50 KW to 100 KW. Usually, it would take about 30 minutes to charge your vehicle entirely. 

Ultra-Rapid EV Charging Points

Nothing can beat an ultra-rapid EV charge point. These devices top up your car in minutes, charging up to 100KW or more. 

Unfortunately, just like rapid EV stations, these have an extraordinarily high price making them unsuitable for household applications. But you can easily find them in many public EV charging spots. 

How To Choose The Right EV Charger?

Let’s look at a few essential factors you must consider before purchasing one. 

Tethered Or Untethered

A flexible EV charger can solve many problems, so consider a tether or untethered option. 

A tethered EV charge point means the cable is permanently connected to the charging unit. You just need to grab the cord and connect it to your car.  

Unfortunately, there are some downsides to a tethered EV charger, most of which have to do with the cable lengths. The manufacturer's standard for these chargers is a 5-meter cable which could affect how you part the car.  

In an untethered charging point, there’s no cable provided with the station. Instead, you must get your own cable and manually attach your car to the charging port.    

In most cases, you can purchase this cable when you purchase your car. The good thing about this option is that it offers more flexibility. It’s always helpful to have an extra cable on hand, even if you have tethered option.       

You can charge any electric car because its socket is universal. Also, you’re not limited by the cable length; just measure from your ideal parking distance and buy the appropriate cable. 

Choose Between A Single-Phase or Three-Phase Charger

Standard residential power outlets are usually single-phase AC devices, but commercial outlets can supply electric cars with three-phase AC. 

The main difference between these two is that the single-phase option only provides a third of the power given by a three-phase model, which means it will take three times longer for your EV to charge. 

So, if you plug your EV into a general single-phase AC outlet, it could take 8 to 12 hours to charge fully. If you own a single-phase charger, you can easily upgrade the cable to three-phase charging, making your EV more versatile.  

Determine Whether You Need Type 1 Or Type 2 Charging

Your choice of charger depends mainly on where you’re located and the vehicle model you’re charging. 

Type 1 plugs and sockets are usually limited to Asian and American-made vehicles. European vehicles tend to use a Type 2 inlet, but now you can also choose a universal conductor component to make charging more convenient. 

Modern EVs come equipped with at least two different cables to provide compatibility with multiple chargers. Another factor to consider is how far you will travel and how long you want to spend on charging. 

On top of that, most EV owners also need to consider electricity costs and how to use off-peak energy rates. All these factors affect whether your need a Type 1 or Type 2 charger. 

Level 2 chargers use less amperage, voltage and kilowatts, but it takes much longer to fully charge your car with them.

If you want to maintain energy efficiency with this charge type, you can use it with a smart charging system to convert renewable energy into power for your EV. 

Also, take into consideration where this charger will be located. Are you using this for domestic or commercial charging? Because this can affect which type of charger you need. 

Type 1 chargers are too slow for commercial and business properties, making them ideal for domestic use. Using a Type 2 charger in commercial spaces is best, as it allows multiple drivers to charge their cars relatively quickly.      

Pay Attention To The Maximum Charging Rate

Many newer electric vehicle models require at least 7 KW or more to operate. But older and hybrid models require as low as 3.3 KW.  

With that in mind, purchasing charging points that supply more energy than your EV’s charging rate can be a waste of money. If you want your charging station to be future-proof or plan to upgrade to a new EV, you need to pay attention to the maximum rate. 

If you want to be economical with your EV charger, you can opt for one with a lower energy rating than your EV. But remember that the car will take much longer to reach full charge. 

Not sure about your EV’s charging ability? There are several ports that automatically detect its power range and lower the energy accordingly. 

Other Important Features To Look For 

With rapid innovation in the EV industry, consumers can expect even more advanced chargers in the future.  

Some innovative features to look out for include:

• Locking: If you’re worried about someone using your EV charger without permission, you can lock it through this function. Some chargers come with traditional lock and key systems, while modern chargers use an app to lock the system. This app uses an entry code and facial recognition for added security.  
• Monitoring: With this option, you can easily monitor your EV’s charging through a smartphone, tablet etc. 
• Earthing: Most EV chargers need an earthing rod placed into the ground for added safety. But some modern chargers have an in-built earthing component that prevents electric shock and overloading. 
• Better Control: Some EV chargers allow you to control remotely. This feature is included in smart EV chargers, allowing you to set schedules. s. 

What Are The Best EV Car Chargers?

If you want to browse through only the best EV car chargers, visit Meteor Electrical.

Here you can find Garo’s incredible range of EV chargers that ensure excellent performance. These chargers are the best of their kind and are great for maintaining the quality of your EV. 

Here are some of the Garo EV charging options at Meteor.

1. Garo Standard Type 2 Wall Charger

The GARO Standard Type 2 Wall Charger with a fixed cable comes with a Type 2 connector 7.4 kW capacity. You can also avail of this option with or without an energy meter. 

This Garo home charger has multiple incredible features, including a local load balance, an RFID reader for additional security, and WiFi communication. 

You also have access to a DLM installed to protect the main fuse and a motorised interlock that prevents the cable from being removed while charging. 

1. Garo Standard Household Type 2 EV Charger

The Garo Standard Household Type 2 Charger boasts a 7.4kW socket and a Type 2 tethered lead.

Its features include DC monitoring, installed DLM, a motorised interlock, and a LAN connection for control and billing ease. 

This device is one of the best home EV chargers delivering between 3.7kW and 22kW. Simply plug in your car overnight to enjoy a stress-free driving experience the next day. 

This charger also includes DLM software that protects the main fuse in an installation by reducing the EV’s charging current when the total load is high and increasing it when the total load is low. 

1. Garo Commercial EV Car Charger

The Garo LS4 EV Car Charger is a commercial charge point that meets all the requirements for devices installed in public spaces. 

Manufactured from high-grade aluminium, its construction allows it to be directly bolted to the concrete ground and even mounted on a pole-mounted assembly. 

Aluminium also provides better durability to withstand most elements. At the top of the charger, you will find a 360 degrees light indicator that shows the charge status of each station from a distance. 

With this ChargePoint, you can remotely control over 32 devices offering high-quality charging to many people in a commercial space. 

Find The Next Best EV Car Charger At Meteor

Apart from high-quality EV car chargers, you can also find various excellent EV charging accessories at Meteor Electrical. 

Our product range is curated according to industry-backed knowledge to guarantee an excellent user experience.  So head on over to Meteor today to find your next best EV charging station.