Why is the Indian home socket not designed for EV charging

As we move towards sustainable energy solutions, electric vehicles are becoming alternatives to old petroleum engines. However, in a country like India, despite the increase in the adoption of electric cars, the need for charging infrastructure creates a hurdle for EV owners. One big problem is that regular Indian home sockets are not enough to charge our electric vehicles. In this article, we will discover the limitations and solutions.

Why Indian Home Sockets Fall Short for EV Charging

Many factors determine the charging of our electric vehicle. However, let’s deep dive into the top 3 factors that make EV charging significantly hard at our homes.

Voltage and Current Rating

In our Indian Homes, the socket is designed for low-power devices like mobile chargers, lamps, and kitchen appliances. These sockets are not made to handle EV chargers’ high voltage and continuous current delivery. The EV chargers usually require a higher voltage of 240V and a constant current supply of 16+ ampers for charging. However, at our homes, the voltage supplied is 220V, and the current is around 10 ampers, making them unsuitable for EV charging. In most cases, like rural areas, the power fluctuations are very high and can damage the power adaptor provided by the electric vehicle manufacturer.

Safety Concern

In EV charging, electricity transfer is way high, and our home sockets are not designed to handle that amount of current. Overloading the socket or the wiring could lead to overheating or even electrical fires within the home. So, to ensure the safety of users and their homes, it is essential to use a dedicated EV charger designed to handle the amount of power required in EV charging. 

Charging Speed and Concern

Charging an electric vehicle using our home socket will take longer than high-power wall-mounted chargers. This is the place where charging points offered by Tecell come in place. Moreover, slow charging in our household may lead to electricity inefficiencies and higher electricity bills. 

Inadequate Conductor Size and Hazards

In our homes, the charging sockets come with 1.5mm sq. However, EVSE sockets require at least 2,5mm sq. for safe operations. The difference in the size of conductors hampers safety when charging electric vehicles. Continuous charging with different conductor sizes may lead to several hazards; it can cause plug softening, oxidization, and insulation ageing.

Potential Solutions and the Way Forward

Home Charging Solutions

Even if we built large public charging stations, home charging will remain the primary charging method for many EV consumers. Hence, the best solution could be to use EV chargers compatible with our home sockets. Educating EV owners about certified EV chargers and installing dedicated charging circuits can also enhance safety and efficiency. 

Technological Innovations

Innovation in how we charge our electric vehicles can be one of the solutions to adapt our home sockets to charge our vehicles. Among these advancements, EV wireless charging is a promising solution for enhancing charging efficiency. EV owners can experience hassle-free charging by removing the need for physical wires.

Policy Support and Standardization

The Indian government can play a pivotal role in developing the EV ecosystem. Clear rules and standards regarding EV charging infrastructure should be established to ensure proper quality and safety. 

There should be subsidies and incentives for installing home charging infrastructure and buying electric vehicles.

Awareness and Education

Developing awareness among the public about EV charging infrastructure and its advantages is very important. Educational campaigns can remove myths, solve queries, and promote electric vehicles’ advantages and charging solutions.

Final Take Away

The adoption of electric vehicles offers opportunity for India to reduce its carbon emissions, increase energy security, and develop innovation in the automotive sectors. However, due to a lack of proper EV charging infrastructure, it remains a challenge for any customer to purchase an electric vehicle. 

To fill the infrastructure gap, EV owners should invest in dedicated chargers alongside the development of EV charging infrastructure in the PPP model, promoting feasible solutions and creating awareness. This is how India can pave the path for sustainable, future-powered electric vehicles.