Happy EV Day from Thundergrid!
Electric Vehicle Charging - Safe, Sustainable, and Smarter
As many people plan, research, and budget to buy an electric vehicle, they often overlook a crucial aspect: how to charge it efficiently and safely. World EV Day offers us at Thundergrid a fantastic chance to celebrate not just electric vehicles but smart EV charging! But what does that mean?
What Makes a Charger 'smart'?
A smart charger is an essential upgrade of your home after choosing your EV. It ensures the most efficient, safe, and convenient home charging experience. While these terms are often used, their implications can be unclear. So, what does smart charging involve, and are all smart chargers truly 'smart'?
Many people use basic 'Granny charging' with a standard 3-pin plug in their garage or on the roadside. This method, though common, is far from ideal. It poses safety risks, such as potential tripping hazards and increased electrical resistance due to long extension cords, which can be dangerous, especially if other flammable materials are nearby.
Benefits of a Smart Charger
Investing in a smart charger comes with an upfront cost, but it offers significant benefits. When installed by a certified electrician, a smart charger enhances the safety of your EV charging setup. Moreover, it can save you money in the long run. Smart chargers can charge your vehicle up to three times faster than standard options, reducing the amount of energy needed for a full charge. This efficiency lowers your overall household power costs.
Smart chargers can be programmed to charge during off-peak times, often at a lower rate, similar to buying petrol at about $1.60 per litre. Some retailers even offer free night charging times. Thundergrid’s smart chargers are installed by certified EV electricians and feature a “load guard.” This component monitors your electricity usage and adjusts the charging speed to prevent electrical overloads. If your home’s power consumption is high, the charger dynamically balances the load, ensuring your EV is fully charged by morning without compromising other household needs.
With our smart chargers, you can avoid expensive upgrades like larger power boards or additional cabling at your home.
Smart EV Charging: A Sustainable Choice
Charging during off-peak hours means utilising New Zealand’s renewable energy sources, which account for approximately 83% of our electricity. Charging during peak times may rely more on coal power, making smart charging the more climate-friendly choice. By reducing your charging time and using less energy, smart charging supports a sustainable future.
Thundergrid’s Vision
Thundergrid, a New Zealand-based EV charging specialist backed by global parent company Landis+Gyr, is dedicated to offering smart EV chargers. We manage your charger to ensure they remain connected to the grid and balancing load to optimise energy consumption. Our goal is to integrate all EV chargers and smart appliances to enable energy companies to balance consumption during peak times efficiently. This approach could reduce the need for costly infrastructure upgrades, which we all would need to pay for as consumers. And that by just making the most of the existing power supply… Isn’t that smart?
Happy EV Day from Thundergrid!
