Charging an Electric Car at Home Without a Wallbox: Options & Limitations

Many Swiss residents hesitate to buy an electric car because they lack the ability to charge it at home. This particularly affects renters who would like to drive an electric car, as rental apartments rarely include a garage. But is a home charging station even necessary? In fact, there are mobile and other solutions available to charge your electric car. At CARIFY, we provide an overview of these options.

Why Charge at Home Without a Wallbox?

Since charging electric cars still takes some time, many EV owners find it most convenient to plug in their vehicle overnight at home. This way, they don’t have to wait around or move their car from the charging station at a specific time. However, not everyone lives in a house where they can easily install a charging station. In apartment buildings, wallboxes can only be installed with the permission of the landlord or homeowners’ association.

Benefits for Renters and Households Without Wallbox Installation

Renters rarely have the option to charge their electric car directly at home. However, city dwellers benefit from greater EV range because low-speed urban driving consumes less energy, and frequent braking helps recharge the battery through regenerative braking. Nevertheless, occasional recharging is necessary. If no public charging station is nearby, alternative charging solutions allow renters to conveniently and efficiently recharge their vehicles. Additionally, many supermarket parking lots and workplaces offer charging options, sometimes at a reduced rate or even for free.

Challenges and Technical Limitations

In addition to charging speed, power grid capacity is another challenge when charging without a wallbox. The power source must also be accessible from the vehicle. Public charging stations may be occupied when needed, or the distance to the nearest station may be inconveniently far.

Charging Options Without a Wallbox

Fortunately, there are alternatives to a permanently installed wallbox, in addition to public charging points. However, some of these options are only suitable as temporary solutions.

Charging via Household Power Outlet

In principle, you can charge your vehicle using the emergency charging cable provided by the manufacturer, plugging it into a household power outlet. However, this option is not viable if your apartment is on an upper floor and the cable cannot reach an outlet.

If you have access to high-voltage power at or near your home, significantly faster charging speeds are possible. Such connections are also found at campsites. However, you will need a high-voltage adapter (some manufacturers provide one).

Mobile Chargers: Flexibility and Benefits

For those unable or unwilling to install a wallbox at home, mobile charging solutions are an option. They come in different price ranges and power capacities. These mobile chargers can be controlled via apps, allowing you to monitor battery status from your sofa and stop charging at any time. You can also charge your electric car on the go, eliminating the need to find a public charging station and wait nearby. These mobile charging solutions are generally cheaper than purchasing and installing a fixed wallbox.

And what about safety? Mobile chargers already include charging technology. While not inexpensive, they allow you to safely charge your car from both a standard or high-voltage socket without overloading the power grid or damaging your vehicle.

Shared Charging Solutions in Apartment Buildings

Why not install a wallbox and share it with the building’s residents? Unfortunately, this is not as simple as it sounds. In addition to cost-sharing concerns, electricity consumption must be billed separately for each user. Currently, Swiss renters do not have a legal right to install a wallbox in or near their building. Both tenants and property owners require approval from the community or the landlord to establish the necessary house connection and install the wallbox. You can justify the request by citing:

• Necessary measure according to Article 647c of the Swiss Civil Code (ZGB)

• Beneficial measure according to Article 647d of the Swiss Civil Code (ZGB)

Pros and Cons of Alternative Charging Options

Regardless of which alternative to a wallbox you choose, each option has advantages and disadvantages:

Good to know: Depending on the charging power, different plug types are required.

• Up to 22 kW: Type 2 plug (AC charging)

• 50 kW or more: CCS Combo or CHAdeMO plug (DC charging)

Cost Comparison: Household Outlet vs. Mobile Chargers

When charging your electric car at a household outlet, you pay the usual electricity price per kWh, the same as when using a mobile charger plugged into an outlet. However, mobile chargers themselves consume some power, and you must factor in the cost of the device. Overall, mobile solutions are slightly more expensive, but they offer faster charging, remote control, and improved safety features without overloading your power grid.

Safety Considerations and Risks

Key safety aspects include surge protection to prevent overcharging in case of lightning strikes. Another risk when charging without a permanently installed wallbox or charging station is the potential for overloading the power grid.

Key Requirements and Legal Considerations

Handling electricity comes with significant risks, so you should not simply plug your electric car into a household outlet without taking precautions. Here’s what you need to do first:

Check Your Home’s Electrical Infrastructure

Before considering home charging, have an electrician inspect your home’s wiring and connections. Not all electrical systems can handle the additional load. Worn-out cables and outlets can overheat, increasing fire risks, especially in older buildings. This is important even if using a mobile charger with built-in charging electronics.

Observe Regulations and Permits

In Switzerland, no special permit is required to charge an electric car from a standard household outlet. However, installing a wallbox or a dedicated charging socket must be done by professionals. If the planned charging capacity exceeds 11 kW, approval from the local energy provider is required.

Sustainability and Energy Efficiency

Electric cars are significantly more sustainable than gasoline vehicles, but the choice of electricity source impacts their environmental footprint. You can enhance sustainability by adopting an efficient driving style.

Optimizing Energy Consumption During Charging

To reduce electricity consumption and costs:

• Charge during off-peak hours

• Charge at home when possible

• Activate pre-set charging limits

• Avoid frequent fast charging

• Preheat or precool the battery before charging

• Use high-quality cables and plugs to minimize charging losses

Using Renewable Energy Sources

Charging your electric vehicle with renewable energy is the most environmentally friendly option. Ideally, combine an EV with electricity from a home solar power system.

Conclusion: How to Efficiently Charge Your EV at Home Without a Wallbox

With a mobile charger, you can efficiently and safely charge your electric car at home or on the go, even without a wallbox or public charging station nearby. These devices offer good charging speeds, do not overload the power grid, and can be conveniently controlled via an app.

FAQs

Can I safely charge my electric car using a regular household outlet?

While it's possible to charge an electric car using a standard household outlet, it takes significantly longer than charging at a dedicated charging station. Often, the electrical grid isn't designed for such loads, and overheating can occur. In an absolute emergency and to get at least some charge into the battery, you can use the emergency charging cable supplied by the electric car manufacturer in a standard Swiss outlet.

Which mobile chargers are best suited?

Some of the most popular Swiss options for mobile chargers include:

• Wallbox Pulsar Plus: This mobile wallbox is compact and powerful. It's available with 11 and 22 kW charging power for use at home or on the go.

• Go-e Charger: This portable charger also offers flexible charging power and is compatible with various plug types.

• EVBox Elvi: Customizable and with a user-friendly app – these features make the EVBox Elvi, available with 11 and 22 kW charging power, popular.

• Keba P30: Its robust housing makes this charger, designed for single-phase and three-phase charging, ideal for on-the-go use. Because it's also designed for high charging speeds, it's suitable for private and commercial use.

When deciding, you should consider the vehicle requirements and your charging needs.

Do I need a special permit for home charging?

No, no permit is required for home charging, as long as the electrical installation was carried out by a qualified electrician.