Code of Practice for Electric Vehicle Charging: Everything You Should Know
In recent years, the market has seen a lot of electric vehicles (EV). A lot of people have been enjoying them, creating a demand for a more sustainable and eco-friendly transport option.
Because of this, we’ve seen a considerable amount of electric vehicle charging stations all over. This sudden influx of vehicle-to-grid charging stations is good news for electric vehicle owners.
However, it also poses certain risks, which could damage your electric vehicles and cause accidents.
Overview of Code of Practice for Electric Vehicle Charging
Briefly, the Code of Practice for Electric Vehicle Charging discusses the risks involved with EV charging. To mitigate this risk, the Code reiterates the vital role of consumers to know of the proper safety measures.
The aim of the Code has always been to prevent any unnecessary accidents and untoward incidents. There are even courses for EV charging that can help end users observe the right practice.
Benefits of Electric Vehicle Charging
There are numerous environmental and economic benefits to EV charging. This should help convince you to make the big switch towards a greener and better environment.
Environmental Benefits
There is widespread knowledge over the environmental benefits of EV charging. One of the most important reasons we can all agree on is that EV charging doesn’t consume fossil fuels.
Instead, it uses renewable sources of energy, like the sun! There’s significantly less carbon footprint emission, which helps in the overall preservation of the environment.
Economic Benefits
In recent years, we’ve seen a lot of economic incentives for the use of EVs, which pushed many users to make the big switch. Based on our research, many governments today provide financial incentives to EV users.
This alone is enough to convince others to switch, considering the costs they save in the future. Even the UK has its own set of incentives you need to check out.
Overview of the Code of Practice
If you’re looking into installing charging stations for your electric vehicles, there are a few rules you need to remember.
This ensures you get the most out of your installation without costing you a fortune.
Charging Infrastructure
The demand for electric vehicle charging stations is increasing daily, especially with more electric vehicles sold.
Because of this, we see a lot of electric vehicle charging equipment that falls below the right standard and quality. They may be affordable, but they certainly put you and your electric vehicles at risk.
This being said, always use quality equipment for your charging stations. Doing this can help prevent accidents like fires on electrical grids and short circuits!
In fact, we highly encourage you to go wireless via inductive charging to avoid possible fires from tangled up wires. In the alternative, you can also consider setting up a three-phase electric power circuit, which is far more powerful yet cost-effective.
Safety Requirements
One of the most important reminders electric vehicle users must remember is to avoid over-plugged charging ports. Whether you’re charging at home or a free charging station, this is a good rule to live by.
No matter how desperate you are to juice your electric vehicle, don’t attempt to plug it in when you can see the overloaded ports.
Doing this ensures your electric vehicle gets charged properly and under the right wattage! You can better preserve your vehicle’s battery, which is a cost-effective measure.
Electrical Connection Requirements
Every electric vehicle manufacturer indicates how much wattage and power supply a vehicle needs to get it running in perfect condition. As a rule of thumb, always stick to what the manufacturer indicates.
Charging your electric vehicles in outlets below their wattage will make it hard for them to be fully charged and vice versa. Many users are guilty of doing this, especially those in a rush.
Well, it’s time to stop now. This could affect your vehicle’s battery pack or cause an electrical fault.
Specific Regulations for Electric Vehicle Charging in the United Kingdom
The United Kingdom and the Institute of Engineering and Technology are no strangers to the development brought by EVs.
As a result, there is constant innovation relating to the specific regulations for EV charging.
Charging Point Locations
In recent years, the UK has seen a rise in EV charging stations and premises. You can find them in some homes, outside local supermarkets, and on the streets.
Based on various regulations, the UK appears to support establishing more EV charging stations. The aim is to make them more accessible to keep up with the demands of many users switching to EVs.
Charging Point Requirements
One of the key priorities of EV charging stations is they must all be energy efficient. This ensures users can charge vehicles at an optimum speed without wasting energy usage.
At the same time, the charging stations must comply with the local clearances and permits to ensure they’re in line with each area’s safety and electric regulations.
Network Connections
Charging stations must have the technology to measure and communicate how much electricity is used. This prevents EVs from being overcharged and adjusts the charging speed accordingly.
More importantly, it ensures that EVs remain safe while charging, even if the electricity demand is high. It optimizes the charging on every EV, to get the most out of a single charge
Frequently Asked Questions
Before we leave with our parting words, allow us to answer some of the FAQs we normally get about EV charging.
What Is the Required Height for Installing an Electric Vehicle Charging Point?
In general, the recommended height for an EV charging point is anywhere between 2.5 to 4 feet high. This is the optimal height between the power outlet and your car’s battery pack.
However, just be sure to keep the distance between the charging point and your vehicle close to each other.
Can I Use a Normal 13 Amp Socket-Outlet to Charge My Electric Vehicle?
Yes, you can use a 13 amp socket to charge your EV.
However, keep in mind that it could affect how long your EV charges because the charging time may be considerably slow when using a 13 amp socket.
Conclusion
Before you get excited about powering up your electric vehicles, know the best practices to charge them. It would also help if you knew of the electric vehicle charging regulations in the UK, to be sure you’re fully compliant.
Remember, our goal is to achieve maximum enjoyment over your vehicles but with the least accident or injury possible.
Do you have electric vehicle charging stations near your area? Let us know what you think of them in the comments and if you’ve found them helpful! We’d love to hear your thoughts.
