Help with choosing a charging station

Earlier we told you about various charging options. If you have your own garage or driveway at your home, you can have your own charging station or wall charger installed at home. But choosing a charging station, what's involved? We're happy to explain in this guide.
A home charging station is often much cheaper than charging at a commercial station. Plus, with zappi you can easily use energy from your own solar panels to charge as economically as possible.

1. Choosing a charging station starts in your meter box

When choosing a charging station, it is important to consider what connection you currently have in your meter box. Many older homes still have a 1-phase connection, while newer homes have a 3-phase connection. How fast you can charge at home depends on this power connection. With a 1-phase connection, you can charge less quickly than with a 3-phase connection. Of course, your car must then be suitable for 3-phase connections.
Not sure which connection you currently have? Does the electricity meter in your meter box indicate 220 V or 230 V? Then you have a 1-phase connection. Does it say 3x 220/230 V or 280/400 V? Then you have a 3-phase connection. A 1-phase connection can be upgraded by your network operator. It will cost approximately between €250 and €300. Please note that after the connections are upgraded, you will also pay more periodic costs. In some cases it is also wise to use a power distributor in your meter cupboard. Do you cook via an induction stove or use a heat pump? These appliances, like your electric car, also consume electricity.
By the way, it is not wise to charge your electric car through a normal wall socket. The charging cable can get too hot and cause a fire.
 

2. Choose type of charging station

You can choose from various types of charging stations. Would you like to charge via a pole or via a box on the wall? The advantage of a wall-mounted charger is that they are often cheaper, because you don't pay for the stand and the pole.
In the video below, we explain what to look out for when choosing a charging station:

3. Buy a charging station

Another important factor to consider when choosing your charging station is the capacity of your electric car. If your car can charge quickly, but you can only charge slowly, the capacity is not fully utilized. Conversely, if your car cannot handle fast charging, but your charging station can, it may take a long time to charge your car.
Choosing a charging station, you are not only doing it for now but also for later. It is therefore wise to consider any future cars. Therefore, prefer to choose a slightly higher charging capacity than your current car needs. That way, you can also charge any new car properly and quickly.

4. How much does a charge point cost?

Our smart EV charger zappi is available from €849. It is the only EV charger with built-in PEN fault technology, the safest choice when it comes to electric charging. Earthing pins are unnecessary, so no extra costs & easy installation.
Read more about zappi
 
5. Bonus: Charging via solar panels
Have you solar panels on your roof? Then having your own charging station can become even more attractive. You can use the energy from your solar panels with zappi namely, easily use it to charge your car's battery. This will save you significantly in costs.
You don't have solar panels (yet)? Even then you can charge economically with zappi. The system can be set to charge your battery only when the off-peak tariffs are applicable and thus to charge at the cheapest rate. If you later decide you want solar panels, zappi can easily be adjusted to that as well.