Power point
The cable that comes with most EVs plugs into a standard power point. It adds roughly 10 to 15 km of range an hour: fine for short daily trips, slow for anything more.
A wall-mounted EV charger is the easiest way to keep an electric car topped up. It plugs the car into its own circuit, charges far faster than a standard power point, and can run on a schedule so the car charges when power is cheapest.
Every install starts with your switchboard and supply. The charger needs a dedicated circuit with the right protection, and the switchboard needs room for it. Older boards sometimes need an upgrade first. If you have solar, a solar-aware charger can fill the car from your spare daytime power.
What’s involved
- Check of your switchboard and supply
- A dedicated circuit and protection
- Charger mounted where you park
- Set-up, scheduling and app
- Testing and certification
Single-phase wall charger
Usually 7 kW, adding roughly 40 km of range an hour. It suits most homes and refills most cars overnight.
Three-phase wall charger
Up to 22 kW on a three-phase supply, although most cars take 11 kW at most when charging at home. Worth it if you have three-phase power and drive a lot.
Real-world speeds depend on your car, the charger and your supply.
great communication and easy to arrange the job with. Very prompt, polite and professional and very happy with the work performed. I’ll be asking Joel to do electrical work for me again.
Quoted word for word from LENNELEC on Service.com.au, where Joel is rated 5.0 from 7 reviews.
Do I need a switchboard upgrade to install an EV charger?
Not always. The charger needs its own circuit and protection, so the switchboard needs a spare spot and enough capacity. Older boards with ceramic fuses, or boards that are already full, often need an upgrade first. Joel checks this before the install.
Should I get a single-phase or three-phase charger?
Most homes have single-phase power, and a 7 kW single-phase charger suits most drivers. A three-phase charger only helps if your property has three-phase power and your car can charge faster than 7 kW at home.
Can my EV charger run off my solar panels?
Yes, with a solar-aware charger. It watches your solar output and charges the car from power you would otherwise send back to the grid, and can top up from the grid when needed.
How long does it take to charge an EV at home?
A 7 kW charger adds roughly 40 km of range an hour, so most cars refill overnight. A standard power point adds about 10 to 15 km an hour. Your car and supply affect the real numbers.
Is an EV charger installation certified?
Yes. In Victoria, a licensed electrician issues a Certificate of Electrical Safety for this kind of work. LENNELEC is a Registered Electrical Contractor, REC 31663.
Where do you install EV chargers?
Across the Mornington Peninsula and south-east Melbourne, including Somerville, Mornington, Frankston, Hastings, Rosebud and Cranbourne. Not sure about your suburb? Call Joel on 0413 548 944.
EV chargers in key areas
LENNELEC covers the Mornington Peninsula and south-east Melbourne. See the full service area or call Joel to check your suburb.
Thinking about an EV charger?
Tell Joel your car, where you park and whether you have solar, and he’ll recommend what suits.