11 kW chargers are not always the best option for housing companies
Response to the story published by YLE 7.2.2025:
We at Igl-Technologies Oy want to bring another perspective to the story, published by YLE on February 7, 2025, "Many do not figure out what kind of electric car they need-the expert reveals the best charging power." The story can be found at https://yle.fi/a/74-20141832 .
In the story, electrical entrepreneurs highlighted their own, one -sided, perspective on the power of the power charging equipment for the housing company. These electrical entrepreneurs specifically recommended and only 11 kW's charging devices and justified it mainly at charging speed and load management features. This thinking may be inherent from time to time when ARA, the Housing Financing and Development Center, granted a grant to housing companies that acquire electric cars charging equipment. The aid terms were directed to acquire at least 11 kW chargers, as the grant was not granted if the housing company acquired less efficient chargers, ie so -called slow charging devices.
YLE's story also reveals that slow charging devices would be a bad option for housing associations, and the only reason is that it takes longer to charge an electric car when loading with a slow charging device. It is true that when the electric car is charged at 1.8-3.6 kW, it will take longer to charge than if you are charged with an 11 kW device. However, this is not a bad thing, there are a couple of reasons for it.
In some cases, a rechargeable car, especially hybrids, cannot receive much more than 3.6 kW, most often less. So in reality, even if the charging device is 11 kW, the car does not always charge at full power, but the car will receive less, ie limiting the charging power. Also, if there are more cars in the charging at the same time and the residents of the housing association at home using electricity, lack load control in the game and starts to limit the power of the charging devices, so that the maximum electrical capacity or phase -specific current limits are not used. In this case, the 11 kW chargers will not be able to use their full charging power and the residents have paid unnecessarily for the more efficient charging devices.
Many cars also stand parked most of the day. The car usually stands in a workplace or housing association parking lot for many hours, for example, during a working day or overnight. This parking time is the best time to charge an electric car or a hybrid, and then the slow charging device is excellent. A slow charging device can easily load enough to the electric car during the working day or overnight, that is, usually about 100-200 km, as an average of 50 km per day is driven by cars.
Slow download equipment is also a cost -effective option for housing companies. Prices for slow charging devices may be up to a quarter of the prices of more efficient charging devices, which saves money on the housing company. In addition, in many cases, the existing heating poles of the housing association is sufficient to replace the old heating poles replacing the slow charging devices containing smart features. Slow charging devices do not necessarily require expensive electrical infrastructure repairs, but the housing association may be able to survive simply by changing the heat poles knobs for slow charging devices. This brings money to the housing association.
Slow charging equipment also serves more widely for housing association residents, as the slow charging devices are charging devices with Supersuko connectors. So you can both charge an electric car from the Superko and use the block and interior heaters of the internal combustion engine. The Supersuko is also tested and safe for charging an electric car as it withstands a continuous 16 A power. Thus, residents do not have to worry about breaking the charging devices.
At IGL, we recommend housing associations and organizations with large parking areas for employees, for example, to get slow download equipment for almost all parking spaces. In addition, you can get a few more efficient chargers that guarantee enough travel for those who need to get the car charged faster. These different charging methods can also be priced differently, which reduces the temptation to recharge always with more efficient charging devices. It has also been researched that people are not willing to move their cars in the middle of the working day, for example when the battery is full, but prefer to park all day in the same parking screen. This, too, supports the purchase of slow charging devices.
The story published by YLE is, in our opinion, directing the public debate and public opinion around the chargers and power in the wrong direction. It would be a good idea for high -profile media to highlight other perspectives other than just charging power, so that there are alternatives to the factors of electric car charging, other than just expensive powerful charging devices. There are other options, and charging solutions should always be adapted to the users and the object instead of staring at the power of the charging devices alone. It is essential to take into account different user profiles and the target budget: with the same money you can get more simultaneous charging if you purchase slow charging devices for the site. In addition, we need more affordable charging options for Finland to achieve the targets for the electrification of traffic.
Best regards
Antti Hiekkanen , Operations Director, Igl-Technologies Oy
Teemu Marku , Sales Director, Igl-Technologies Oy
