New to EV and looking for home charger.

Blazer · 28-03-2026 10:23AM #1

Picking up my EV on Tuesday so looking around to see what's the best in terms of ev chargers.

I have access to work charger which I envisage will cover nearly 99% of my charging.

Am I better off using the granny charger to charge (MYP) if I'm ever stuck at home (connected to an outdoor socket) or better safe than sorry getting a proper ev charger.

I see Bord Gais are doing one for €799 including grant (i just switched to them) but have no plans as of now to switch to an EV tariff because of work.

joe1303l · 28-03-2026 10:51AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058436417/new-to-ev-and-looking-for-home-charger

If you intend owning an EV or even a PHEV longterm, it’s definitely prudent to install a proper 7kW wallbox at home. The likes of Fokearn are usually pretty reasonable and you’re not tied to a specific electricity provider.
Granny chargers aren’t a good long term solution. (UK/IRL 3pin 13A plugtops aren’t meant to pull 7kW continuously for hours and can overheat). They are also extremely slow if you did need to add a substantial charge to your MYP. Link to Fokearn below;

https://www.fokearn.com/home-charging

MojoMaker · 28-03-2026 10:34AM

An "EV tariff" is just a marketing label. There is in reality no such thing, just discounted time periods of the night that fit into an overall price portfolio for an electricity provider. Don't be fooled by the spiel.

You're best of looking at your overall energy consumption patterns and selecting a plan that fits your overall household need, and by doing so you may find that you're actually better off with a standard (discounted) day/night plan, or even sticking with the 24hr plan.

If you have work charging and your anticipated electricity needs for the new car is only occasional then:

The granny cable will probably be enough, assuming you don't have to drape it out a window
The higher day time rates on those "EV tariffs" will probably make the overall proposition unattractive.

893bet · 28-03-2026 10:51AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058436417/new-to-ev-and-looking-for-home-charger

how far are you from work? I would install personally and have it done. In 5 years time the grant might be gone and chargers more expensive.

Blazer · 28-03-2026 11:03AM

thanks folks,, I’ve seen fokearn come highly recommended on here and Reddit so will check them out.

Blazer · 28-03-2026 11:20AM

It’s a 35km to/from and I’d be onsite 4 days a week.

I’m thinking full 100% charge on the Friday which should cover me for the weekend and then a top up on Monday to 80%.

Is a weekly charge upto 100% recommended or best to avoid except when absolutely needed?

893bet · 28-03-2026 11:34AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124346954#Comment_124346954

yeah you are arriving home close to full on Friday, unless doing a lot of weekend driving you won’t even need a top up till back to work.

As long as work don’t with draw charging suddenly you are grand.

If you own the house I would do the install and future proof it personally. What ever you get make sure it’s “solar ready”. After 12 months of the EV all you will say is “why don’t I do that 5 years ago” and be thinking about converting all cars on the house to electric.

joe1303l · 28-03-2026 12:24PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124346954#Comment_124346954

Doesn’t matter, just charge it as you need to.

Oscar_Madison · 28-03-2026 10:55PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124346954#Comment_124346954

As respected posters on this forum said to me when I first got an EV- “relax” 😀

You’ll find your feet and your groove VERY quickly once you get your home charger - it’s the in between time where you have your EV and waiting on your home charger that might do your head in a little. But that’s temporary and shorterm - once you get your home charger you’ll relax into your own groove of charging.

For me a few months on, leaving aside normal driving escapades, I do like to keep it charged for “emergencies” and “unexpected” - but that’s simply because I have elderly relatives on the wrong side of 85…and a bit of a distance away 😀

k123456 · 29-03-2026 10:17AM

Go for one with a tethered cable, I have non tethered , and its not ideal to fish a charging cable from the boot

Technically you do not need ;

Charge time Setting built into the charger, because you can control time of charging from the Car directly , or an app on your phone

New to EV and looking for home charger.

Best Answer

Answers