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Guide · EV charging

Which home EV charger should you buy?

Buying your first electric car? Here's what matters when choosing a home charger, and what a proper installation looks like.

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Buyer's guide

What to look for in a home EV charger

Power: why 7.4 kW

Most South African homes have a single-phase supply, which suits a 7.4 kW wall charger. It adds roughly 35–50 km of range per hour, around three times faster than the portable cable in a normal plug, so most cars are full by morning.

Connector: Type 2

Most electric and plug-in hybrid cars sold in South Africa use the Type 2 connector for home (AC) charging. Choose a tethered charger (cable attached) for convenience, or a socket version if you prefer your own cable.

Smart features

  • App control to start, stop and schedule charging (for example, the EVC charger with the Tuya app)
  • Solar integration to charge from surplus solar (for example, the Victron EV Charging Station with a Victron system)
  • Load management so charging doesn't overload your supply

Installation matters as much as the charger

A home charger needs a dedicated circuit, correctly sized cable and breaker, the right earth leakage protection, and an electrical certificate of compliance. Sometimes the DB board needs an upgrade first. That's why a site assessment comes before the quote.

Chargers we install

We supply and fit 7.4 kW chargers from Victron, EVC, Suntree and Zencar, or install the charger you've already bought. See them, and two real installation videos, on our EV charger installation page →

EV wall charger installed beside the distribution board in a Cape Town garage
EV charger and DB board installation

FAQ's

Quick answers

The short versions of what people ask us.

See all FAQs →

How fast is a 7.4 kW home charger?

Roughly 35–50 km of range per hour of charging, depending on the car, so most EVs charge fully overnight.

Can I install an EV charger myself?

No. An EV charger is a fixed electrical installation on its own circuit. It must be installed by a registered electrician and certified with a COC.

Does an EV charger work during load-shedding?

Only if your backup system is sized for it. Most home inverters aren't, so the charger normally stays on mains and charging is scheduled when power is available.

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