Is it worth buying a home charger for my EV?

Abig benefit of owning an electric vehicle is that you can refuel the battery anywhere there is a power point – at home or the office, even from the bakery out the back of Bourke if you ask nicely.

The downside is that charging from the standard 240V electricity grid is extremely slow.

But there are ways to speed up the flow of electricity by using the growing network of public fast-charging stations or installing a higher-voltage charger at your home or work.

A home charging unit amplifies the rate of power over a standard household power point.

Australia’s grid delivers power at around 2.3kW, which means that completely refilling the battery pack in an electric car – most of which have a capacity of between 38kWh and 100kWh – would take a day or more.

Most EV manufacturers recommend only charging from a household plug in emergencies, as over a long period it can damage the socket.

But only using 150kW rapid or 350kW ultra-rapid charging stations can cause accelerated degradation in the battery because of the excessive heat generated.

The sweet spot between convenience and long-term usability is charging your EV at a medium pace. A wallbox charger can do that.

First, it needs to be installed by a qualified electrician. If connected to the standard electricity grid, it can boost the power output to 7kW (meaning it will take four to seven hours to fully recharge an EV).

Or, if you have access to threephase power, it can increase to 22kW (bringing the charge time down to less than an hour for EVs with a smaller battery pack like the Nissan Leaf or Hyundai Kona Electric).

An EV with a larger battery can easily be fully recharged overnight.

How much does it cost?

Most EV makers offer a wallbox charger as an optional extra. While some brands, such as Porsche, include a home charger as part of the purchase, others charge $1000-$5000, plus installation.

Or you can choose from an aftermarket charger from as little as $800. With this option, it is imperative you check that the plug type is compatible with your EV.

Some of the first-generation electric cars sold in Australia were fitted with Type 1 connections, predominantly used in the US and Japan, whereas the new standard for Australian EVs is a Type 2 plug favoured by European car makers.

What is a smart charger?

It’s a home charger that can be connected to the internet, allowing owners to monitor the recharging through an app.

It also allows users to schedule charging times to take advantage of off-peak electricity rates.

Will it increase my power bill?

If you already charge your vehicle at home, a higher-voltage wallbox charger will draw the same amount of power from the grid – just faster. It won’t add to your electricity bill.

Can I use the same wallbox if I buy another EV?

The home charger will most likely still be compatible.

If you offload your EV and revert to a car with an internal combustion engine, you can sell the wallbox with the vehicle to increase its value.

However, having a wallbox charger will almost certainly future-proof your property.

Well, it’s that time of year again. The days are shorter, it’s getting dark sooner and the temperature has definitely taken a turn for the chilly.

All of these winter hallmarks make the prospect of getting out and exercising seem a little bit less inviting – or maybe that’s just me.

Either way, fitness trackers are a fun way of encouraging you to keep active during the colder months, and there’s an option to fit any budget.

If you don’t want to spend a cent, there’s a good chance your smartphone has some health- and fitness-tracking functionality already built in.

But nobody wants to always carry their phone around, so a standalone device is a must for many, especially if you’re interested in things like sleep monitoring, swimming or tapping into the health-monitoring features that only wearable sensors measure.

Some of those features can be found in bands that start at about $50, but their reliability tends to scale with their price, so keep your expectations in line with your outlay. What is it? Weet-Bix

Active Bands

How much? Free (plus postage)

Pros: We all want our kids to be active and healthy, and Active Bands are a fun wearable that entice them to get up and exercise. Using a smartphone app, you can log your child’s participation in dozens of exercises, measuring their progress and unlocking awards.

Cons: Beyond the band’s chip that identifies your child, there’s no fitness-tracking tech here. Good for younger kids; older children will get more out of a dedicated device. weetbixactivebands. com.au

What is it? Withings

Move

How much? $128 Pros: Most fitness trackers look a little bit plasticky and toy-like, but Withings strives for designs that evoke stylish, traditional timepieces. The chic-looking, colourful Move has an analogue clock face, but under the hood it monitors a range of activities (including sleeping and swimming), all with the convenience of an 18-month battery life.

Cons: Stylish and fun, but also an older model. See the company’s Steel and ScanWatch lines for extra functionality. withings.com

What is it? Fitbit

Charge 5

How much? $269 Pros: Fitbit has been in the activity-tracking game about as long as anybody, and the Charge 5 is a good example of just how far the market has matured. Beyond basic activity monitoring, the device’s sensors can register everything from oxygen saturation to skin temperature, and oodles more.

Cons: If you like the features but want to save money, check out brands such as Amazfit and Xiaomi, which offer many comparable functionalities (although admittedly with significantly less polish). fitbit.com