Getting charging station installed at your new home: what do you need to know?

Have you bought or are looking to buy a new home and want to have a charging station installed at or near your house for an electric car? Charging posts are increasingly in demand in the Netherlands, as people are opting for electric driving more often, and with so many advantages in mind, this is for good reason.

At the same time, though, there are a number of considerations you need to take into account. From choosing the right charging station to any permits you need to think about. In this article, we would like to tell you more about installing a charging station at your new home and what it involves.

Enough power? Always check your electricity connection first

Having your own charging station is ideal if you own an electric car. But: before getting one installed, it is a must to check whether the electricity connection in your home has sufficient power. It is good to know that a charging station needs a strong connection; for example, you usually need a 3-phase connection if you want to charge your electric car quickly (11 kW or higher). Many existing houses often have a 1-phase connection with less power.

Such a connection offers enough capacity to charge other vehicles, such as electric bikes. In fact, electric bikes, which by the way are now totally hip among all ages, feature a much lighter battery with lighter chargers. Take the NC SSC04GNT charger, for example: it has a capacity of just 2 amps and an output of 29.2 V. However, do you want to charge an electric car? Then chances are you will need to have your connection upgraded by your grid operator. This may take a while, so do this in time.

Go for the right charging station to suit your car and needs

Once the connection is in place, it's time to pick out a charging station. While this is not a difficult process, there are some things you need to pay attention to. This is because a lot of charging stations have come on the market over the years. Consider the points below, among others:

• Charging station speed: charging stations come with different types of charging speeds. Depending on your car and of course the capacity of your connection, you can choose from charging posts of 3.7 kW, 7.4 kW, 11 kW and higher. Currently, 22 kW is the highest possible charging speed. Indeed, with such a charging station you charge up to 8 times faster than via a wall socket.

• Structure of the charge post: also look at the structure of the charge post. After all, should a certain part break down, it is nice to know that you can replace just this part instead of the entire post. In this case, it is often better to opt for A-brand charge posts, as they have better parts.

• Smart functions of charging station: another thing you can look at is the functions of a charging station. For example, many modern charging stations can be controlled via an app, through which you also get an insight into your energy consumption. This is quite handy now that rates on the energy market are constantly changing.

• Look at future-proofing: because electric car technology is developing rapidly, it is definitely necessary to go for a charging station that is prepared for future electric vehicles. For example, these can handle higher charging speeds or have more advanced features.

Choose a good spot for your new home charging station

One point that many people do not immediately think about is the location of the charging station. It is important to choose a good spot so that you can make optimal use of the charging station. Look, for example, at the distance to your car when placing the post, but also at the connection in your meter box. Does anything need to be changed there? If you have your own driveway, that is the best option for a charging station. After all, you can easily park there yourself and charge your car at the same time, without getting in the way of other people or cars. And did you know that the distance from the meter box also matters? It is best when the car is located near the meter box. Otherwise, additional cables need to be laid in the ground. So look at this carefully.

Check whether a permit is needed for charging station

Finally, it is good to know that in some places in the Netherlands, you need to apply for a permit when you want to have a charging post installed near your home. This is especially the case when you want such a charging post on the street side. Before choosing and buying a charging station, therefore, check whether such permits are required in your municipality, so you will not be faced with any nasty surprises. If you have your charging station installed on your own property, on your driveway for example, most municipalities will not require you to apply for a permit. However, it is good to know that this can vary per location, so it certainly can't hurt to check. Usually, a charging station installer will also know more about the rules in the municipality where you buy a new home.