When buying an e-car or a plug-in hybrid, you need to consider various options for recharging the battery. As the number of electric vehicles increases, there are more and more opportunities to find a power supply for your car. You can choose between a regular electric socket and a private or a public charging station. This time we will focus on wallboxes – versatile chargers for e-car batteries.
In this article you will find out:
- what a wallbox is,
- how does it work,
- why you should consider having one.
What is a wallbox?
A wallbox is a device designed for recharging electric cars. It uses alternating current and can be safely connected to the electric grid in a house of a block of flats.
A wallbox has a power of up to 22 kW, which considerably reduces the time needed to replenish a car battery, when compared to default car chargers. (If you choose to recharge your car with a mobile charger, the power will be much lower – e.g. a portable Green Cell charger has a power of 3.6 kW. This is a good solution in case of emergency or when you’re visiting your family or friends, but you need to remember your car will take much longer to recharge).
Wallbox prices range from ca. £381 to £1525 if you choose a model with a range of extra functions, such as a mobile app or the possibility to recharge more than one car at a time. The price also depends on the power of the charger and on the availability of certain facilities, such as an intuitive LCD screen.
What does a wallbox do?
A wallbox is a private charging station for e-cars. The device can be mounted on the garage wall, but it can also be attached to a post on a parking lot. It has enough power to replenish your car battery in just a few hours. An 11 kW charger will fully recharge the battery overnight.
There’s one thing you should know, though: not every user will be able to make the most of such a charger (especially when you opt for a 22 kW charger). First of all, in order to connect such a powerful device to your electric grid, the grid itself have a proper connected load, i.e. the maximum amount of energy you can receive from the provider. Secondly, some of the existing electric vehicles can take up to 6 or 7.4 kW. In this case, the car will be recharged at the maximum available speed, but the power will not be higher than what it can take.
Why is it good to have a wallbox?
Every owner of an EV should have a wallbox, if possible. Also the owners of plug-in hybrids can consider this option, although their demand for energy is lower, so they can rely on basic cables (with a power of 2.3 – 3.6 kW). A wallbox will recharge your electric car much faster, so you won’t have to use public charging stations. And this saves money and time, of course.
Another advantage of wallboxes is easy management and maintenance. These devices are highly intuitive. They often come with LCD screens, which will show you the most important parameters. It’s enough to connect the cable to the socket in your car in order to start recharging. You don’t even have to leave your home, which is super convenient. You will definitely appreciate the freedom that comes with this option.
As opposed to fast charging stations, a wallbox doesn’t take up much space. This is a fairly small charger, which can be mounted on the wall or on a special post. This devices will fit in virtually anywhere – in your house or in a parking lot behind a block of flats.
The major advantages of wallboxes include advanced safeguards, which protect the car and the charger from damage. Such safeguards include a tight and robust case, a mechanism that automatically detects and diagnoses any irregularities, and a wide range of operating temperatures. These are the features of the best wallboxes, but you’re well advised to choose equipment that comes with these safeguards.
A wallbox normally has a type 2 connector, which is a standard in Europe. This means it will be compatible with most electric cars and plug-in hybrids. The cables are long enough for you to pull them around other cars and they can withstand a pressure of a few tons.
Where can I buy a high-quality wallbox?
If you’re looking for a high-performance wallbox, explore the products available in our online store. You will find high-quality wallboxes, which can be easily connected to your home grid. If you choose this option, you will be able to recharge your car battery much faster. Enjoy the freedom and make the most of your environment-friendly car!
