Frequently Asked Questions

At ECAR INFRA, we understand that if you are purchasing an EV Charger, it's more than likely your first time to do so. To help you get the information you need, we have prepared a list of FAQs which will help you get started. 

If your question is not answered please feel free to drop us an email or give us a call using the contact details below.

Email: support@ecarinfra.ie

Phone: +353 1 504 9064

Q: What should I consider when purchasing an EV Charger?

A: There's lots to consider, i) will the charger be used at home or in a business environment? ii) what connector type do you require (Type 1 or 2)?; iii) are aesthetics important?; iv) do I want a "smart" charger? ECAR INFRA stocks all types of EV Chargers which can cover all of these requirements, depending on your needs. 

Q: What are the key differences between at Home and at Work EV Chargers?

A: The main difference here is rated power. If you have a standard single phase (230V) supply - which is the case in most Irish homes - the max rated power you will achieve is 7kW, or possibly lower at 3kW. With a standard Commercial, 3 phase connection, the maximum power output is 22kW. So, Commercial charging can be faster, but there really is no benefit in spending more on anything more than a 7kW capable charger for home use. 

Q: How quickly will my EV Charger charge my vehicle? 

A: This depends on a couple of factors; the rated power (as above) and the battery capacity of your EV. Power output can vary from the electricity grid, but as a guide, we display below the estimated charging times for a standard 40kWh Nissan Leaf (240km range) and a 64kWh Hyundai Kona (450km range). Note that charge times outlined for >7kW power output assume that the car's battery can receive a >7kW charge. 

You should remember that the below outlines the time to charge from 0-100% and it is not likely that this would represent a typical daily charge time, depending on your mileage.

For example, if you have driven a 64kWh Kona c. 100kms per day (out of a total of 450km range), you can expect a c. 2hr charge time from an ECAR INFRA 7kW At Home Charger. 

Rated Power       Charge 40kWh Leaf    Charge 64kWh Kona

3.7kW                   10hrs 45mins                17hrs 20mins

7kW                       5hrs 30mins                 9hrs 10mins

11kW                     3hrs 40mins                 5hrs 45mins

22kW                     1hrs 50mins                 2hrs 55mins

 

Q: How much will it cost to charge my EV with an ECAR INFRA At Home Charger?

A: A full overnight charge can cost as little as €2 using cheaper night rate electricity (costs ultimately vary by vehicle and electricity supplier). The cost of charging at home will simply be added to your regular domestic electricity bill in the normal way.

Q: Will all ECAR INFRA chargers work with my new Electric Vehicle? 

A: Mostly, yes. EV's are connected to the EV Charger via a cable which have either a Type 1 or a Type 2 connector on the end. Newer EVs use Type 2 chargers (new Leaf, Kona) while older Nissan Leaf's for example, use Type 1 connectors. We stock EV Chargers which work with Type 2 sockets only or universal sockets which cover all types. 

Q: Should I purchase a "tethered" and "non-tethered" EV Charger?

A: A tethered cable is one that is fixed to the EV Charger, with the other end connecting to the EV. A non-tethered EV Charger is one where the cable is not permanently connected and must be inserted for each use. We would typically recommend a non tethered universal charger as it provides greater flexibility to switch between Type 1 and Type 2 cables, and it also can be used with At Work or On the Go chargers. But, if you like the convenience of a fixed cable then our tethered solutions will meet your needs.

Q: What is the difference between an "unconnected" and a "smart" EV Charger?

A: An "unconnected" EV charger is a simple piece of hardware which chargers your EV in line with rated power capabilities. A "smart" charger adds increased functionality typically accessed via a mobile Application, allowing the user to monitor usage (helpful when there are multiple users), set start / stop times to benefit from lower electricity rates or receive notifications on charging milestones / time left to full charge etc. 

Q: What extra considerations should be given to "at Work" or "On the Go" Charging requirements?

A: At Work charging or On the Go charging will typically lead to different product requirements vs. At Home chargers, i,e. multiple EVs may need access at the same time, or businesses may wish to charge users to access the charge points. A universal connection certainly works best here as Type 1 and Type 2 connectors may be used. Other product considerations include:

• User interface to access EV Chargers
• Point of Sale ("PoS") technology to allow for payment
• Usage monitoring and control, including RFID cards 
• Pole mounting 
• Load management to avoid breaching grid import limits
• Vandal proofing

ECAR INFRA stocks a range of options from international suppliers which can meet all Commercial requirements. 

Q: What is the difference between slow, fast and rapid charging?

A: Slow charging is defined as a single phase 13A or 16A charger, with rated power up to 3.7kW. Fast charging is defined as 7kW to 22kW charging, able to fully recharge most models in 3-4hrs. Rapid charging units operate at 43kW to 120kW and will recharge most cars to 80% in 30mins. They usually use a tethered cable with a non-removable connector. These DC EV Charging Solutions are found in "On the Go" settings, and not all EVs can use them.