Guide to charging the electric car at home

When choosing a home charging solution, the model of your electric car influences the power and type, as well as partly affecting charging costs, which also vary according to your utility tariffs for your home supply. Between a city car and a large car, the capacity of the battery pack and the amount of energy required will change and so will energy costs as a consequence. 

In any case, those who choose to charge at home can take advantage of the vehicle’s longer stay in a garage or communal parking space, especially overnight, and are in less of a hurry to refuel than those who are travelling. Every need, however, is specific, which is why there are three possible alternatives for home charging using alternating current (AC):

• Charging from power socket: this is done by direct connection to the household power supply via a Shucko socket. Medium slow and low power, this is mainly suited to scooters and electric bicycles or city cars with city mileage. However, household sockets are used to a lower electrical power load than the electric car; they need longer charging times and risk overcharging. Despite the convenience and portability, this choice is generally recommended for occasional and emergency situations, according to Italian Fire Prevention regulations.

• Wallbox charging: this takes place via a compact wall-mounted charging station, such as Enel Energia's Waybox, which allows you to modulate your charging power to a level suited to the vehicle and, in more sophisticated versions, to the power available at the time in the house or apartment block. Its power covers a range from 3.7 to 22 kWh, with an average cost per purchase and installation, according to the GSE (Gestore Servizi Energetici) report on behalf of ARERA (Italian Regulatory Authority for Energy, Networks and the Environment), of between €800 and €1800. Thanks to a coding system (PMW) then, there is no direct connection to the power grid. The wallbox efficiently and smartly allows the maximum power input. 

• Metered charging: this takes place via a charging point, such as the Waypole Enel X, which can have a cylindrical or totem design, is fixed to the ground, and equipped with two charging sockets to connect even two electric vehicles at the same time. Here again, the solution allows the maximum permitted power input, but is suitable for apartment block or residential use, with installation in the common areas of the building.

Charging at home pays off because it allows the electric vehicle to preserve the battery pack for longer, ensuring a longer range. On average, an electric car with a capacity of 40 kWh, connected to a home charging station with 6 kW power, takes about four hours to charge. The duration is sustainable if you are not in a hurry to get back on the road and can be further reduced with more powerful charging infrastructures. What is more, thanks to modern charging stations, you can use an app to schedule your charging time according to when energy is cheapest.

 State incentives and advantageous offers on the market also help to mobilise consumers towards the electric choice. By 31 December 2024, domestic and non-domestic customers owning a low-voltage connected supply with a committed power between 2 and 4.5 kW can apply for ARERA's trial programme, managed by GSE, which allows them to charge up to 6 kW at night, on Sundays, and other public holidays without incurring additional fixed costs due to the increase in power.

On the other hand, the Bonus Colonnine, promoted by the Ministry of Enterprise and Made in Italy, provides individuals resident in Italy and apartment blocks with installations of electric charging stations made between 1 January and 31 December 2024, with a contribution of 80% of the purchase price. Registration to apply for the incentive opened on 8 July 2024. But that’s not all: you can take advantage of the 110% Superbonus for energy-efficient building expenses incurred from 1 January to 30 October 2024, with rates of 70% for 2024 and 65% from 1 January 2025. Don’t forget, however, the deduction is available if the installation is carried out in conjunction with thermal insulation of opaque surfaces or replacement of winter air conditioning systems.