Three reasons why charging your electric car at home is not always the best choice

The transition to more sustainable mobility is accelerating, with more and more drivers choosing electric vehicles to reduce environmental impact, lower operating costs, and actively contribute to the decarbonization of transportation. In this scenario, the possibility of charging the electric car directly at home appears, at least on the surface, to be the most practical and advantageous solution.

Having a home charging point can indeed offer convenience and autonomy in the daily management of one's vehicle. However, this mode is not always the most suitable for all users, nor the most efficient in every situation. Indeed, there are some structural, technical and economic limitations that should be considered, especially in a context where charging needs are becoming increasingly complex and dynamic.

So let's look at three reasons why home charging is not necessarily the best choice for electric car drivers.

1. Limited power of the home network

Households, except in special cases, are connected to an electric grid designed for standard residential use, with a power rating that often does not exceed 3 or 6 kW. This means that charging times for an electric car can be very long, particularly in the case of high-capacity batteries such as those mounted on new generation models.

Those who use electric cars for frequent or long commutes may find it difficult to wait many hours for a full charge. In addition, if the need arises to leave on short notice, the slowness of home charging can become a real obstacle to flexible travel. In these cases, access to a network of public stations, equipped with fast or ultra-rapid infrastructure, allows for the energy needed to resume the journey in a matter of minutes with complete peace of mind.

2. Impacts on the building's electrical system.

Another aspect not to be underestimated concerns the load that home charging exerts on the home's electrical system. In older apartment buildings or unprepared homes, the installation of a wallbox may involve significant structural work, with the need to adapt the system to safety regulations and required power needs.

Even in the most modern buildings, the simultaneous use of the wallbox together with other energy-intensive appliances, such as electric furnaces, air conditioners, or heat pumps, can cause overloads and disruptions, compromising safety and continuity of supply. In addition, it is important to consider that the installation of a home charging point involves an initial investment that includes the cost of the wallbox, skilled labor, and possible retrofitting of the system.

3. Energy costs and management of electric car charging.

Although the cost per kilometer of an electric car tends to remain lower than that of an internal combustion car, household electricity rates can vary significantly depending on the time of day, the supplier, and the type of contract active. Charging during peak hours, such as late afternoon or during the evening, can significantly reduce the economic benefit.

Without a smart scheduling system and a good understanding of charging dynamics, the risk is to incur higher costs than expected. Added to this is the fact that home charging requires some level of active management: from starting and stopping charging to checking consumption and maintaining the infrastructure. In contrast, modern public charging stations often offer clear, predefined or competitive rates and a simplified user experience, allowing the user to charge safely and worry-free, even during a quick stop.

Conclusion

Home charging can be a viable solution in many cases, but it is not necessarily the best choice for everyone. Structural limitations, long lead times, variable costs , and management requirements make this option less advantageous in highly mobile settings, in inadequately prepared households, or for those seeking greater speed and ease of use.

For this reason, having a widespread, reliable and technologically advanced public alternative becomes increasingly important. Powy's network of public charging stations, active throughout Italy and expanding in Spain, offers a modern, affordable infrastructure powered by 100 percent renewable energy. With quick to ultra-fast solutions, Powy enables flexible, fast and convenient charging, concretely meeting the real needs of today's and tomorrow's electric users.

FAQ: Is it better to charge the electric car at home or outside the home?

There is no universal answer, as it depends on your needs. Charging at home is certainly convenient for your daily routine. However, public charging stations often offer performance that you cannot replicate at home and are the default choice in some situations, such as during a trip, or simply more convenient at certain times, such as while shopping at the supermarket.

About Powy

Powy is a company that owns, develops and operates Italy's leading independent network of public charging infrastructure for electric vehicles, with a growing presence in Spain as well.

Founded in Turin, Italy in 2018, Powy is at the center of the transition to more sustainable mobility, offering an innovative charging infrastructure that uses only 100 percent renewable energy.

Powy 's network includes quick, fast, and ultra-fast charging solutions strategically placed in public and private parking lots, supermarkets, shopping malls, and transportation hubs to ensure maximum convenience and accessibility for EV drivers. Each station is equipped with advanced technologies to provide a reliable and efficient charging experience.

Learn more: wpowy.energy