BEST WAY TO CHARGE YOUR EV AT HOME (FOR COMPLETE ELECTRIC CAR NOVICES)

EV Channels Review

John Cadogan demystifies home EV charging for novices, focusing on the Hyundai Kona Electric. He contrasts the slow, basic trickle charger (2.3kW, 28 hours for a full charge on the 64kWh battery) with a dedicated wall box installation (7.4kW single-phase, 9 hours for the 64kWh battery). Cadogan emphasizes that while trickle charging is feasible for short daily drives, a wall box offers convenience, all-weather reliability, and faster charging, crucial for longer trips or quicker turnarounds. He details a single-phase 32A wall box installation costing around $2,500 AUD, highlighting its significant improvement over the basic charger. Key advice includes prioritizing outdoor charging for safety due to fire risks, understanding charging interlocks, and recognizing that AC charging is inherently slower than DC fast charging. The review concludes that while a wall box is a substantial upgrade, the necessity of three-phase power is often overstated for typical home use, with single-phase 7.4kW being sufficient for most EVs like the Kona.