More and more Lithuanians are switching to electric cars. According to the data of VĮ Regitra, the number of plug-in hybrid vehicles and electric cars in Lithuania has increased almost five times over the past three years. The number of fully electric cars has grown by 150%. However, the development of public charging stations is not keeping up, with more drivers installing private charging stations at home.
The trends in Lithuania do not stand out in the European context. According to a study conducted by Delta-EE, they have observed 15-20 per cent growth annually in EV sales. They predicted that in 2030, 84 million electric cars would drive on the Continent's roads. The Ministry of Transport of the Republic of Lithuania looks at the near future with positive ambition - by 2030, the number of M1 class electric cars must be at least 50% of new vehicles sold. To bring the plans closer to reality, the government of Lithuania are encouraging the development of charging infrastructure by providing a grant for a charging station installed at home. Individuals who want to install it in their homes, lots or garages can be financed up to 40-60% with support funds.
So it is unsurprising that the interest of electric car drivers in home stations is growing. The advantages of private charging stations attract them: cheaper, more efficient, and more convenient. However, according to Ignas Mikutis, CEO of Elinta Charge, a company that develops and manufactures electric car charging stations in Lithuania, these benefits directly depend on such important characteristics as a reliable manufacturer, highest quality equipment, accessible technical service, technically simple installation and the ability to intelligently connect the home charging station to the entire home electrical system — for example, the possibility of connecting an electric car charging station with its solar panels.
"One component plays an important role here — a smart device called dynamic load management or DLM. This device's purpose is to monitor household electricity consumption in real-time and direct unused energy to EV charging. For example, when more electrical devices are used at home, the charging power of the EV decreases. So, when the devices are turned off, and the electrical resources are freed up, the energy is automatically directed to EV charging. It is important to mention that DLM is necessary when applying for compensation for installing a charging station," says Ignas.
Often, people's solar power plants produce more electricity than their household appliances need. The rest of the energy is returned to the shared network, where consumers' energy is stored. In Lithuania, this energy storage service is charged for. This can be compared to the iCloud service of having an iPhone — when the phone's memory runs out, there is an option to store data in the cloud for an additional fee. "And if you have a solar power plant connected to a home charging station, you can use the produced but unused energy efficiently and at the same time save money by charging the EV," explains I. Mikutis.
The EV charging station is gradually becoming an integral home part, like heating or ventilation systems. You want your EV charging process to be as convenient as maintaining the right temperature at home with a few clicks of a button. Responding to the needs of EV drivers, the company Elinta Charge, which has received worldwide recognition for its electric car charging equipment, has created a new station, HomeBox Lite, adapted for highly convenient and high-quality charging in the backyard or garage. "Tech lovers recognise our products, so we do not doubt that this solution of our engineers will appeal to people who are looking for affordable quality — who want to have reliable equipment from an experienced manufacturer in their home, but at the same time a simple and not overloaded with functionalities charging station. This, the third version of HomeBox, is exactly that like that", says the CEO of Elinta Charge.
People who buy a station for a home usually have technical questions. For example, is installation complicated, and what additional items are needed? After all, you want everything to be as simple as possible. Therefore, HomeBox Lite is very easy to install for any electrician. It only requires a little preparation work. You need to provide a place for the charging station where the electrical input and the communication cable would be available, which will later be in contact with the DML.
About Elinta Charge
Elinta Charge specialises in commercial charging stations, using reliable and high-quality components that ensure the station's durability in different weather conditions and is suitable for long-term use. And if you need technical assistance or consultation, you can easily contact a specialist. Elinta Charge develops and manufactures charging stations for electric cars and provides software services for the station management and administration system. Products created by Lithuanians of exceptional quality are also appreciated in the international market. These charging stations are exported to more than 30 countries in Europe and beyond. It is the largest manufacturer-exporter of EV charging solutions in Lithuania.