Your electric vehicle needs to be full of energy to travel the roads. To recharge at home, you have two solutions: the charging station (also called wallbox) and the reinforced socket. What are the differences between these two charging methods? Which should you prefer? Charging time, operation, safety, cost... Everything you need to know to make the right choice.
Reinforced socket and charging station: what are we talking about?
The reinforced socket and the wallbox are two home charging solutions for electric vehicles. Focus on their characteristics.
- The reinforced grip
Unlike a standard 2.3 kW household outlet, The reinforced socket is designed to deliver a power of 3.2 kW in 14 A. It is more secure and includes a differential circuit breaker adapted to limit the risk of overvoltage. To function, this plug requires a specific cable that is not always provided by the manufacturer.
- The charging station
In the form of a box, it can be fixed to the wall or to the floor. This installation is suitable for individuals, but also for condominiums, businesses, hotels, etc. Its main advantage? It is more efficient and efficient than the reinforced socket and can deliver powers ranging from 3.7 kW to 22 kW.
Choosing between a reinforced outlet or a charging station: the comparison
To make the right choice, consider six essential criteria: the cost and power of the installation, the charging time, security, the options offered and your future needs.
The cost
The price of The reinforced socket varies between €60 and €150. In addition, there is the price of installation by a qualified professional. IRVE
The charging station is a bigger investment. Its price varies between €500 for the least efficient to €1,500 for the most powerful (excluding installation costs). To help you finance its purchase and installation work, the State offers several subsidies. For individuals, this is 5.5% VAT (instead of 20%) and the tax credit. Its amount corresponds to 75% of the expenses incurred for the supply and installation of the wallbox, up to a limit of €300 per terminal. Also note that once installed, the terminal increases the
The safety
Although they are lower than with a standard household outlet, risks of overheating and overvoltage exist with a reinforced outlet. However, the latter remain minimal.
In the majority, manufacturers of electric vehicles recommend the use of a wallbox. Indeed, this installation considerably limits the risks of accidents at home and includes integrated protective devices. In addition, it is designed to stop immediately as soon as an overcurrent occurs.
The options offered
Unlike a reinforced outlet, a charging station is a device that can offer interesting options depending on the brand. La Qovoltis wallbox includes, for example, the possibility of choosing between an optimized or fast charging mode, or of controlling your charging remotely (type of recharge, kWh requirement, departure time, etc.) using a mobile application.
The power of the installation
A reinforced socket has a power of 3.2 kW in 14 A. In the long term — and with the development of electric mobility — this charging method could become unsuited to the needs of users, or even obsolete. Electric vehicle batteries are in fact becoming more and more powerful.
Your future needs
A charging solution is an investment for the future. Today, a reinforced plug is especially suitable for a hybrid car whose battery is small and whose autonomy does not depend only on the charge rate. However, it is less suitable for a 100% electric car. Before opting for a reinforced socket, it is therefore essential to understand your future needs: you may want to change to a more powerful electric vehicle in the coming years.
Charging time
For a car equipped with a 50 kWh battery, it is possible to regain more than 80% of its autonomy in nearly 16 hours with a reinforced plug.
For the same car, a 22 kW charging station fully charges in less than 2 hours and 30 minutes. A 7.4 kW charging station will charge in less than 7 hours. The charging time is therefore much faster and only requires a few hours. However, note that the duration varies according to several factors, such as the power of the terminal and the electrical installation and the vehicle model to be recharged.
Read also : How long until my electric car is charged?
For your comfort, it is strongly recommended to opt for a charging station rather than a reinforced grip. A wallbox like Qovoltis is a solution for the future capable of meeting your current and future needs. With this investment, you will be able to take advantage of several charging methods (fast or optimized) to quickly get back on the road and save energy on a daily basis. The assurance of recharging your vehicle with complete peace of mind, and for many years!
