Which charging point should I choose for my electric car?
Blog
Posted on 26.08.2024
With sales of electric cars soaring, the question of how to install a charging station is becoming increasingly crucial for individuals and businesses alike. TETRADIS, specialist in EVSE (Electric Vehicles Supply Equipment) solutions, guides you through the essential steps in choosing the ideal charging station for your electric vehicle.
Whether you want to equip your home, a company parking lot or a commercial parking lot for public use, TETRADIS offers you AC and DC terminals and stations, right up to the supercharger. Visit shop.tetradis.com to find out more, or download the catalog EVSE.
2. Analyze your needs
To choose the right terminal, you must first analyze your needs. Ask yourself the following questions :
• What's your daily usage? If you drive only a few kilometers a day, a 7.4 kW charging station may be sufficient. For longer journeys, a more powerful station will be more appropriate, ensuring faster vehicle recharging.
• Do you have a private parking space? Installing a home terminal requires a private parking space, such as a garage or parking space, and a suitable power supply.
• How large is your vehicle's battery? Vehicles with larger batteries generally require a more powerful charging station to reduce charging time. On the Automobile Propre website, you can simulate the charging time according to the power delivered by the terminal and accepted by the vehicle.
3. Consider the electrical installation
The installation of an electric vehicle charging station must be perfectly compatible with your existing electrical infrastructure. Before proceeding with the installation, it is essential to take into account several criteria to guarantee not only the performance of the charging station, but also the safety of the entire electrical network of your home or business. Here are the main points to check :
• Power available at the electric meter : First of all, you need to check the maximum power your electricity meter can deliver. This is crucial to avoid overloading or malfunctioning your installation. For example, a charging station delivering 7.4 kW requires an installation capable of handling 32 A of current. If your electricity meter can't handle this power, you'll need to make adjustments, such as increasing the power you subscribe to from your energy supplier.
• Electrical safety : Installing a charging station must never compromise the safety of your installation. It must comply with current electrical standards (notably NF C 15-100 in France). We recommend that you call on a qualified electrician, certified to install EVSE (Electric Vehicles Supply Equipment) charging stations. This professional will carry out a preliminary study of your electrical network to assess the capacities of your installation and detect any anomalies. This study is essential to avoid the risks of overloading, overheating or short-circuiting, which could not only damage your network, but also present a safety hazard for your home.
• Circuit breaker sizing : In addition to power, the circuit breaker must be correctly sized to protect the installation. It must be able to cut off the power supply in the event of a problem, such as a short-circuit or overcurrent. A poorly calibrated circuit-breaker may not react in time, leading to serious risks.
• Electrical charge balancing : If you use several electrical appliances at the same time, you need to make sure that charging your vehicle does not cause an imbalance in the distribution of electrical load within your installation. An electrician can advise you on the best way to manage this aspect by installing a dynamic energy management system. KEBA's E10 intelligent energy meter fulfils this role very well, as it is capable of measuring the power consumption of all household appliances and thus adapting the power delivered when charging the vehicle.
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4. Complying with standards and regulations
The installation of a charging station must comply with current French and European standards. Choose a CE-certified charging station that complies with the EVSE directive. To qualify for financial aid, such as tax credit or local subsidies, your charging station must be installed by a certified professional.
5. Financial assistance available
The French government is encouraging the installation of home charging stations through a number of legal measures :
• Tax credit : A 30% tax credit is available for the installation of a home terminal, under certain conditions.
• Local subsidies : Some regions or local authorities offer subsidies to encourage the installation of charging stations.
• ADVENIR bonus: This bonus is intended for companies and condominiums that install charging stations accessible to the public or residents.
To find out more about the subsidies available for the installation of a charging station according to your profile, read the article What subsidies are available for the installation of an electric vehicle charging station?
6. Have you considered a smart charging station?
Intelligent or “smart” recharging stations enable optimized recharging management. They offer functions such as programming charging times (to benefit from off-peak rates) and remote management via a mobile application. They can also be integrated into an energy management system to prevent overcharging and optimize electricity consumption in your home or business.
The choice of a charging station for your electric car depends on several factors: your daily needs, the characteristics of your vehicle, your electrical installation and the financial aid available. At TETRADIS, we can help you make this crucial choice by offering a complete range of EVSE solutions to suit every situation. Don't hesitate to contact us for personalized support and professional installation.
By following this advice and choosing the right terminal, you can make the most of your electric vehicle and contribute to the energy transition.
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1. Understanding types of charging stations
Choosing your charging station depends first and foremost on the type of station you need. Here are the three main categories :
 Slow charging station (Mode 2) : Ideal for domestic use, the vehicle is powered by a domestic socket with a cable that includes a box for regulating the charge. Power output remains moderate, between 2.3 kW and 3.7 kW. Suitable for overnight recharging, or for those who use their vehicle infrequently. |
 Accelerated charging station (Mode 3) : This is the most common solution for private customers. These AC (alternating current) charging stations deliver between 7.4 kW and 22 kW of power, enabling a vehicle to be recharged in just a few hours. They require specific installation by an EVSE-certified professional. |
 Fast charging station (Mode 4) : Used mainly on freeways and in public parking lots, these DC (direct current) stations and superchargers offer power ratings of 50 kW and more. They enable 80% recharging in less than 30 minutes. This type of infrastructure is best suited to fleets of vehicles or businesses. |
Whether you want to equip your home, a company parking lot or a commercial parking lot for public use, TETRADIS offers you AC and DC terminals and stations, right up to the supercharger. Visit shop.tetradis.com to find out more, or download the catalog EVSE.
2. Analyze your needs
To choose the right terminal, you must first analyze your needs. Ask yourself the following questions : • What's your daily usage? If you drive only a few kilometers a day, a 7.4 kW charging station may be sufficient. For longer journeys, a more powerful station will be more appropriate, ensuring faster vehicle recharging.
• Do you have a private parking space? Installing a home terminal requires a private parking space, such as a garage or parking space, and a suitable power supply.
• How large is your vehicle's battery? Vehicles with larger batteries generally require a more powerful charging station to reduce charging time. On the Automobile Propre website, you can simulate the charging time according to the power delivered by the terminal and accepted by the vehicle.
3. Consider the electrical installation
The installation of an electric vehicle charging station must be perfectly compatible with your existing electrical infrastructure. Before proceeding with the installation, it is essential to take into account several criteria to guarantee not only the performance of the charging station, but also the safety of the entire electrical network of your home or business. Here are the main points to check :• Power available at the electric meter : First of all, you need to check the maximum power your electricity meter can deliver. This is crucial to avoid overloading or malfunctioning your installation. For example, a charging station delivering 7.4 kW requires an installation capable of handling 32 A of current. If your electricity meter can't handle this power, you'll need to make adjustments, such as increasing the power you subscribe to from your energy supplier.
• Electrical safety : Installing a charging station must never compromise the safety of your installation. It must comply with current electrical standards (notably NF C 15-100 in France). We recommend that you call on a qualified electrician, certified to install EVSE (Electric Vehicles Supply Equipment) charging stations. This professional will carry out a preliminary study of your electrical network to assess the capacities of your installation and detect any anomalies. This study is essential to avoid the risks of overloading, overheating or short-circuiting, which could not only damage your network, but also present a safety hazard for your home.
• Circuit breaker sizing : In addition to power, the circuit breaker must be correctly sized to protect the installation. It must be able to cut off the power supply in the event of a problem, such as a short-circuit or overcurrent. A poorly calibrated circuit-breaker may not react in time, leading to serious risks.
• Electrical charge balancing : If you use several electrical appliances at the same time, you need to make sure that charging your vehicle does not cause an imbalance in the distribution of electrical load within your installation. An electrician can advise you on the best way to manage this aspect by installing a dynamic energy management system. KEBA's E10 intelligent energy meter fulfils this role very well, as it is capable of measuring the power consumption of all household appliances and thus adapting the power delivered when charging the vehicle.
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4. Complying with standards and regulations
The installation of a charging station must comply with current French and European standards. Choose a CE-certified charging station that complies with the EVSE directive. To qualify for financial aid, such as tax credit or local subsidies, your charging station must be installed by a certified professional. 5. Financial assistance available
The French government is encouraging the installation of home charging stations through a number of legal measures : • Tax credit : A 30% tax credit is available for the installation of a home terminal, under certain conditions.
• Local subsidies : Some regions or local authorities offer subsidies to encourage the installation of charging stations.
• ADVENIR bonus: This bonus is intended for companies and condominiums that install charging stations accessible to the public or residents.
To find out more about the subsidies available for the installation of a charging station according to your profile, read the article What subsidies are available for the installation of an electric vehicle charging station?
6. Have you considered a smart charging station?
Intelligent or “smart” recharging stations enable optimized recharging management. They offer functions such as programming charging times (to benefit from off-peak rates) and remote management via a mobile application. They can also be integrated into an energy management system to prevent overcharging and optimize electricity consumption in your home or business.The choice of a charging station for your electric car depends on several factors: your daily needs, the characteristics of your vehicle, your electrical installation and the financial aid available. At TETRADIS, we can help you make this crucial choice by offering a complete range of EVSE solutions to suit every situation. Don't hesitate to contact us for personalized support and professional installation.
By following this advice and choosing the right terminal, you can make the most of your electric vehicle and contribute to the energy transition.
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