One of the biggest changes in our lifetime is happening now with the addition of Electric Vehicles (EVs) to the market, providing a competitive alternative to Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) vehicles for the first time. With this shift comes the ability of individuals to charge their own car, and like all things with technology, there is more than one way to get it done. In this article we take a look at the technological options and concepts to be aware of when assessing a home charger for your electric vehicle.
The Efficiency of EVs Vs ICEs
Electric vehicles operate energetically more efficiently than their internal combustion counterparts. “EVs convert over 77 per cent of the electrical energy from the grid to power at the wheels. Conventional gasoline vehicles only convert about 12 per cent – 30 per cent of the energy stored in gasoline to power at the wheels,” [SRC: https://www.energycouncil.com.au/analysis/evs-are-they-really-more-efficient/]
In addition to this greater efficiency, they don’t create emissions while being driven, and need substantially less maintenance than ICEs. However, the real benefits of EVs are achieved when they are powered by solar on the roof (rather than power from the grid). Power supplied by renewable energy enables vehicle operation without reliance on a fossil-fuelled power source.
Meeting the Demand of an EV
The introduction of an electrical vehicle into your household will increase the demand for electricity in your home. That’s why a solar solution should be mapped to your energy objectives – a process we include in our free solar consultation and quote. In addition to getting set up the right way, our solutions also include modular options that can be extended in the future should your energy needs change. Certainly, a solar installation with an electric vehicle represents the ability to supercharge your return on investment for a solar installation.
Smart and Dumb Charging
EV charging at home can be done with a ‘smart’ or a ‘dumb’ charger. Both get the job done, but they do it in different ways. Here’s the breakdown! A dumb charger is just a charger, nothing more. You plug your EV into the charger, and it charges the EV using the available power. It’s simple and effective. However, if you have solar power, one of the main goals is to maximise the use of your solar power. This is where a smart charger can help. Some chargers have the ability to measure your solar production, and your homes overall energy consumption, enabling charging purely off your excess solar energy generation. That almost equates to free charging of your car using entirely renewable energy.
Optimising EV Charging
If you’re interested in optimising your EV charging, Energex has compiled a list of helpful hints and tips which can you read about here.
The Shift to Smarter Homes
A home with an optimised solar solution is made up of many interrelated parts. Some of the components are more obvious than others. If you’re hoping to charge your electric vehicle using renewable energy, you need a solar configuration that is up to the task, and a smart EV charger to optimise your charging capability. We can help – we provide all of the solutions required. Contact our team for a free consultation and quote:
EV Charging Solutions
Talk to Noosa Electric Co for an EV charging solution for your home or business, in Noosa & surrounding suburbs. This includes charging options from the grid or from your own solar power, and different charging modes to make the most of renewable energy.
