There are a lot out EV chargers out there. Are you not sure which one to get? Looking for a good value – durable ones that work well and have bells & whistles yet concerned about cost.
A member of the local Electric Vehicle Association asked me: I am shopping for a Level 2 220-240v, 40-50 amp home charger. I want a good value. Durable, outside wall mount but not too expensive. Amazon has a couple in the $500-$800 range.
I said to one person a wall mounted COSTCO and The Home Depot has always been forward thinking on that since the late 90’s. Yet people ALWAYS want more.
What NYS says
As the New York Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) states:
Electric car drivers have various options available to plug in and charge the car’s batteries. For the majority of users, charging needs can be fulfilled at home. If you have a battery-powered car, that means no more trips to the gas station.
The most basic charger is a standard home outlet. Simply plug in the electric car adapter provided by the manufacturer, and your car will charge. You also have the option of buying a faster home charging station from local retailers. A qualified electrician must install it in your garage or outdoors.
Charging stations are available across New York State to recharge electric cars while drivers are at work, shopping, or at other destinations. Commercial charging stations generally expedite vehicle charging when time is limited.
Many car models offer mobile app connectivity for monitoring and setting charge times.
Yet here are my faves based on Forbes and recommendations from members of my local electric vehicle association.
Grizzl-E Level EV Charger
Sometimes you don’t need smart-charging capabilities. Instead, you might need a durable outdoor charger that can withstand tough weather conditions. The Grizzl-E is ideal for home EV charging, as well as electric lawn/farm equipment, which is a growing market. There’s no app to this one, just a rugged 40-amp charger. This unit can be hardwired or plugged into an existing 240-volt outlet and the power output is adjustable.
EnelX juicebox 40
Chargepoint is smart enough, but if you are looking for an even more connected charging unit, the cleverly-named JuiceBox has you covered. It’s a 40-amp charger that has tons of digital functionality, including compatibility with Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa. It can send you reminders and notifications, provide charging status updates, and schedule charging times. It can even work with utility demand response programs that can save you money on your electricity bill. A really clever trick is the ability to load-balance, which allows you to charge two EVs from a single circuit. You’d think such a high-tech product is destined for the safety of a garage, but the JuiceBox can also be installed outside as well.
Lectron – my friends charger of choice
The person went with a Lectron V-Box 48 Amp Electric Vehicle Charging Station. It’s a powerful Level 2 EV Charger (240V) with NEMA 14-50 Plug / Hardwired. It’s also Energy Star Certified for J1772 EVs.
What I Recommended
Blink introduces a new generation of home charging. The HQ 200’s sleek design, competitive price, and output of up to 50 amps is ideal for an easier, faster, and better home charging experience. The HQ 200 is able to connect to Wi-Fi, and communicates with home smart devices like Alexa, Google Home, or Siri. Accessible through our robust Blink mobile app, the HQ 200 can be controlled from anywhere, allowing you to schedule your charging hours to take full advantage of off-peak electricity rates.
Finally, the US Department of Energy has great Energy Star EV chargers. Also a list of Public chargers and incentives for your home charger
