Speed: There are 4 typical AC charging powers to choose from, 3.5KW, 7KW, 11KW or 22KW. Higher charging power enables faster charging speed, for example, if an electric car has a battery of 55kWh, it takes 8 hours to be charged from empty to full with a 7KW EV charger, while it takes only 2.5 hours with a 22KW EV charger. However, it is very important to make sure that your electric vehicle also supports the same charging power provided by the EV charger.
Supply: 3.5KW and 7KW AC electric car chargers require single phase power, while 11KW and 22KW ones require 3 phase power. As to an electrical circuit, it should to be rated for 25% greater amperage than your electric vehicle charger’s output. For example, if you have a 40-amp Level 2 charger, your circuit breaker should be rated for at least 50 amps. It is also sensible to choose an EV charger that allows to adjust electric current.
Location: It is a good idea to install EV chargers near your electrical panel, which helps to reduce expenses on unnecessary conduits. To get more flexibility and convenience, choosing a waterproof electric vehicle charger is also a wise decision, because such an EV charger can be installed indoor or outdoor depending on where you normally park your car.
Smartness: Some electric car chargers come with an app to manage charging, set a schedule, track charging costs and miles driven, etc. If you want to monitor charging status, while at office or taking a walk, such smart features would come in handy. Or if you want to reduce electric bills, charging scheduling can help to accomplish just that, all you need to do is schedule charging at off-peak hours.
Length: EV chargers come with cables of various lengths, 5 meters by default most of the time, be sure to choose an EV charging cable that is long enough to reach the charge port of your car.