Electric Vehicle Charger Installation

There are many benefits to installing dedicated power supplies for your electric vehicle charging units. All EVs are designed and supplied with a mobile charging connector, which plugs into your car using a standard domestic power wall outlet. In the PowerPoint, your fridge and dishwasher are plugged into the same outlet. This same 10amp power outlet means you can charge your EV vehicle indoors and outdoors with an outdoor weatherproof power outlet.

However, it is worth noting that although you have a suitable PowerPoint to plug the mobile connector into, will you have enough power on the existing circuit to charge the electric vehicle? Some powerpoints belong to circuits with existing power outlets, and these outlets will also carry some load on the power circuit. So depending on the circuit’s load will determine if you can charge your EV vehicle through the mobile connector. A licensed electrician checking the wiring condition will decide if you can plug the mobile connector into that particular outlet. If the correct wiring is not in place, it must change to the relevant AS/NZS electrical standards before any charging unit is used to top up EV vehicles.

Although having a PowerPoint nearby will ideally power up your EV vehicle, the charging times could be more convenient and slow and may take up to 20 hours for some EV vehicles to charge. On the other hand, having a professional & licensed electrician install a dedicated circuit with its safety switch will improve charging times and convenience. Not only will it improve charging times, but it will boost the safety and efficiency of the electrical system in your home.

The convenience of having a dedicated circuit on a Type 2 charging unit will have your vehicle charged up within 5 to 6 hours on a 3-phase power supply. If the 3-phase supply is not readily available at your residential property, the single-phase supply will do just fine as it will charge up to 7KW.

Even the single-phase dedicated power supply significantly improves the mobile connecter charger. Charging your electric vehicle on a 240volt single-phase supply can take up to 14 hours, considerable progress from the 24-hour charging time of the mobile connector. Before purchasing any EV, an essential factor would be to check the electrical supply to guarantee adequate power for the charging unit.

The cable sizes will vary per wall connector installation. If the charging unit has a 3-phase power supply, installing a 6mm cable will suit 32amp RCBO. If the supply network and switchboard allow more power, installing a 10mm cable with a 40amp breaker will enable more power to the charging unit if the wall connector can withhold the 40amp current rating.

You can always upgrade to a 3-phase network if your premises only accommodate a single-phase supply. Upgrading a single-phase to a three-phase power supply will need to be applied through your local supply authority.

Unfortunately, these applications can be declined and will depend on the amount of power in your local area—the installation process can be a lot of work and cost a fair amount. Always seek the advice of professional electricians before installing EV charging units.

If you’d like to know more about other important considerations and requirements when installing EV chargers, check out our guide about home EV Charger Installation Requirements in Australia. This guide will delve deeper into factors you might not have thought of, helping you make an informed decision.

The Cost Of Installing EV Charging Units

The cost of an EV wall connector installation will depend on the size and location of the charging unit. The bigger the kilowatts, the bigger the price, and how far the wall connector is from the power supply board will also affect the installation cost. Homeowners prefer installing the Type 2 charging unit; the batteries charge fast, some within 5 to 6 hours, but this depends on the kilowatts of charge power. Some clients are happy just to top up their vehicles from a 10 amp power outlet as this procedure would allow extra savings over a dedicated circuit.

Installing a standard power outlet costs less than an allocated power supply, but the charging could be faster and more convenient. The cost of installing a PowerPoint can range from $200 to $350 but will depend on the complexity of the work.

A Type 2 installation, whether a single-phase or 3-phase supply, will cost more than the standard PowerPoint installation. The single-phase supply to the wall connector shows installation prices ranging from $350 to $1200.

How the cables are installed can determine the price, and on quite a few jobs, we have installed conduits for cable protection with some surface mounted and underground.

➜ Learn more about home EV Charger Installation Cost

What is the distance between the switchboard and the wall connector?

The further the location of the charging unit, the slight increase in cost there will be. We usually supply a 6mm cable to the wall connecter, but some systems require only a 4mm; the smaller the power supply, the less cost for the installation. Another determining part for cost, the safety switch or the RCBO, is the more significant the amperage and the slight price increase for the installation.

Installing a 3-phase power supply is our recommended installation for EV charging. A 22KW wall connector will charge your vehicle within 6 hours, allowing for more convenience and satisfactory charging. This type of installation costs more than the single-phase power supply due to the cable amount, size and amperage of the RCBO.

The difference in the cable between 3 phase and single is the number of cable cores. A single phase has three cores, and the 3 phase has five, allowing for more current across the extra 2 phases. All the same factors as the single-phase will determine the cost of the 3-phase power supply, the length and size of the cable, the amperage of the 3-phase RCBO and the installation method. The installation cost of a 3-phase power supply to your EV charging unit can range from $450 – $1500.

We Can Quote All Types Of EV Charging Units; Please Call Ken Directly At 0405 83 83 83 For All Wall Connector Queries.

Ken and his staff are trustworthy, skilled and qualified professional electricians. Fully licensed, ACMA registered, and holds a security master license for security installations. Contact us if you need help or have questions about EV charging in Sydney and surrounding areas.