Which home charging point?

[C70R]

C70R said:

Currently have a Volvo PHEV, and will be swapping into a full EV once the lease is up in a year or so.

I'm looking to install a charger on my driveway, and figure that it makes sense to do it once and properly. The various options baffle me, so I was wondering if there's collective wisdom as to which one would be the best choice to future-proof me.

Gentle bump on the above.

I'm a long way out of my depth here...

[5s Alive]

C70R said:

C70R said:

Currently have a Volvo PHEV, and will be swapping into a full EV once the lease is up in a year or so.

I'm looking to install a charger on my driveway, and figure that it makes sense to do it once and properly. The various options baffle me, so I was wondering if there's collective wisdom as to which one would be the best choice to future-proof me.

Gentle bump on the above.

I'm a long way out of my depth here...

Difficult to advise on best choice with so many potential variables and hasten to add that I'm no expert either.

Are aesthetics important? Cable length? Solar compatibility? Access to home WiFi or requires internal sim card? The main players would give you some options here and which one is best for you will be a personal choice. Most will not need separate earth rods either.

I couldn't be more specific without actually surveying your property.
However I've found Smart Home Charge to be a useful source of info.

https://www.smarthomecharge.co.uk/features/best-ho...

Edited by 5s Alive on Friday 16th December 13:22

[C70R]

5s Alive said:

C70R said:

C70R said:

Currently have a Volvo PHEV, and will be swapping into a full EV once the lease is up in a year or so.

I'm looking to install a charger on my driveway, and figure that it makes sense to do it once and properly. The various options baffle me, so I was wondering if there's collective wisdom as to which one would be the best choice to future-proof me.

Gentle bump on the above.

I'm a long way out of my depth here...

Difficult to advise on best choice with so many potential variables and hasten to add that I'm no expert either.

Are aesthetics important? Cable length? Solar compatibility? Access to home WiFi or requires internal sim card? The main players would give you some options here and which one is best for you will be a personal choice. Most will not need separate earth rods either.

I couldn't be more specific without actually surveying your property.
However I've found Smart Home Charge to be a useful source of info.

https://www.smarthomecharge.co.uk/features/best-ho...

Edited by 5s Alive on Friday 16th December 13:22

Thank you.

[thebraketester]

C70R said:

C70R said:

Currently have a Volvo PHEV, and will be swapping into a full EV once the lease is up in a year or so.

I'm looking to install a charger on my driveway, and figure that it makes sense to do it once and properly. The various options baffle me, so I was wondering if there's collective wisdom as to which one would be the best choice to future-proof me.

Gentle bump on the above.

I'm a long way out of my depth here...

The answer is “most of them will be fine”

Zappi seem popular. We went Hypervolt and no issues so far. It’s a tidier box than most.

[C70R]

thebraketester said:

C70R said:

C70R said:

Currently have a Volvo PHEV, and will be swapping into a full EV once the lease is up in a year or so.

I'm looking to install a charger on my driveway, and figure that it makes sense to do it once and properly. The various options baffle me, so I was wondering if there's collective wisdom as to which one would be the best choice to future-proof me.

Gentle bump on the above.

I'm a long way out of my depth here...

The answer is “most of them will be fine”

Zappi seem popular. We went Hypervolt and no issues so far. It’s a tidier box than most.

From the link above, the Easee One looks like it's going to do the job.

[thebraketester]

I think the lack of permanent (proper) tether would bother me on that one, but YMMV as they say.

[Frimley111R]

C70R said:

C70R said:

Currently have a Volvo PHEV, and will be swapping into a full EV once the lease is up in a year or so.

I'm looking to install a charger on my driveway, and figure that it makes sense to do it once and properly. The various options baffle me, so I was wondering if there's collective wisdom as to which one would be the best choice to future-proof me.

Gentle bump on the above.

I'm a long way out of my depth here...

Ok, sorry, missed this post...

• All are 7kW and this is enough for 99% of needs, even with multiple vehicles
• You won't get faster chargers as your home doesn't have any more spare electrical capacity. Homes were never designed for such a high demand item
• Charging sockets/cables are universal and are known as 'Type 2'
• You can have chargers with a socket which means using the cable in your car to charge at home. These chargers tend to be be smaller and neater when not in use
• You can have chargers with cables, known as 'tethered' chargers. These are like a petrol pump in that you use the cable on the charger to plug in to your car. However they can look messy when not in use (if the chargers are physically larger the cable can wrap around them more neatly).
• All have software/Apps - this just allows you to schedule charging (you can may be able to do this) and monitor consumption.
• There are around 100 chargers on the market but I have not (in 7 years) come across any that should avoided but I'd stick with the larger brands as they have the best support, if needed. Although even then it can be patchy.
• Brands - Easee, Wallbox, PodPoint, EO Charging, SyncEV, Ohme, Zappi and Hypervolt are good places to start. Perhaps avoid the BP charger as it is pretty big and cheap looking.
• Home chargers have evolved about as far as they can so don't worry about future proofing, you'll be fine with whatever you choose

Hope that helps

[C70R]

Frimley111R said:

C70R said:

C70R said:

Currently have a Volvo PHEV, and will be swapping into a full EV once the lease is up in a year or so.

I'm looking to install a charger on my driveway, and figure that it makes sense to do it once and properly. The various options baffle me, so I was wondering if there's collective wisdom as to which one would be the best choice to future-proof me.

Gentle bump on the above.

I'm a long way out of my depth here...

Ok, sorry, missed this post...

• All are 7kW and this is enough for 99% of needs, even with multiple vehicles
• You won't get faster chargers as your home doesn't have any more spare electrical capacity. Homes were never designed for such a high demand item
• Charging sockets/cables are universal and are known as 'Type 2'
• You can have chargers with a socket which means using the cable in your car to charge at home. These chargers tend to be be smaller and neater when not in use
• You can have chargers with cables, known as 'tethered' chargers. These are like a petrol pump in that you use the cable on the charger to plug in to your car. However they can look messy when not in use (if the chargers are physically larger the cable can wrap around them more neatly).
• All have software/Apps - this just allows you to schedule charging (you can may be able to do this) and monitor consumption.
• There are around 100 chargers on the market but I have not (in 7 years) come across any that should avoided but I'd stick with the larger brands as they have the best support, if needed. Although even then it can be patchy.
• Brands - Easee, Wallbox, PodPoint, EO Charging, SyncEV, Ohme, Zappi and Hypervolt are good places to start. Perhaps avoid the BP charger as it is pretty big and cheap looking.
• Home chargers have evolved about as far as they can so don't worry about future proofing, you'll be fine with whatever you choose

Hope that helps

Thank you.

The scheduling point is something I hadn't thought of. We have E7 electricity, so this would be a smart move.

[5s Alive]

C70R said:

From the link above, the Easee One looks like it's going to do the job.

I went with the SyncEv as I had very specific requirements for installation inside our single garage but if I had planned to fit on an external wall I would have gone with the Easee or the Zappi if going tethered.

Worth pointing out if you intend to leave the cable supplied with the car permanently connected/tethered then you may prefer to have another one for travelling. Usefully type 2 cables are available in lengths from 2M upwards and in fetching shades of day glow yellow and green!

For info.
https://evcables.co.uk/products/type-2-to-type-2-e...

[Blib]

Just had this delivered. Charger of one's choice is secreted within. (Base not pictured).

It lights up and EVERYTHING!

[5s Alive]

Hmm, you have it bad. Perhaps you should see a psychotherapist...

Just as well the cars are covered or I'd actually be green.

[fellatthefirst]

Any have any experience of using the Tesla one?

https://shop.tesla.com/en_gb/product/wall-connecto...

Seems quite cheap compared to some

[Blue62]

C70R said:

Gentle bump on the above.

I'm a long way out of my depth here...

I went for a Zappi, it’s tethered and works well with solar and the reviews are good. Not cheap (1300 fitted) but I’m happy with it, hasn’t let me down once and the interface with the app is clear and easy to use. Mine is indoors so appearance wasn’t an issue, it’s not the prettiest and certainly not the cheapest. HTH

[blank]

C70R said:

Thank you.

The scheduling point is something I hadn't thought of. We have E7 electricity, so this would be a smart move.

Scheduling is usually best done on the car wherever possible. This is because if you plug the car in and lock it without it being able to charge, it can go to sleep and not "wake up" when the charger does. Then it won't charge. Scheduling it via the car avoids this.

[Blue62]

blank said:

Scheduling is usually best done on the car wherever possible. This is because if you plug the car in and lock it without it being able to charge, it can go to sleep and not "wake up" when the charger does. Then it won't charge. Scheduling it via the car avoids this.

I’ve not heard that before, I’ve always set the schedule by using the Zappi app and never had a problem.

[gdr]

I have an ICS charger with ID4. I use the IDS app to schedule charging, no problems in 18 months I have had it. The charger came with 2 RFID cards which I think can be used to give other people access to your charger and track how much of your electricity they use, but I have never used this function. Just plug the car in, set schedule on ICS app, and get +/-30 kWh of Octopus Go cheap power overnight.

[Jonny_]

I would suggest avoiding EO, mine is 18 months old and has been nothing but trouble for much of that period.

It's no fun finding that your car hasn't been charged overnight and you've insufficient range to get to work and back.

EO customer support is abysmal; they seem to operate on the principle of "it can't possibly be our product, it must be user error". And that's if you can even get them to answer the phone.

It's getting ripped out and returned next week, and an Easee One fitted in its place, which comes highly recommended and hopefully will just quietly do its job. The installer (who in fairness have been excellent) have stopped supplying EO chargers, due to both the volume of faults they've encountered and the problems that they themselves have had in dealing with EO.

[blank]

Blue62 said:

I’ve not heard that before, I’ve always set the schedule by using the Zappi app and never had a problem.

Depends on the car and charge point but it's quite common to have issues.

https://www.speakev.com/threads/methods-of-ensurin...

[anonymous-user]

Prolex-UK said:

Snap we are having a zappi-2.

We have solar so are looking for some "free" power.

In the last year we have exported 1006 kwh back to the grid

So assume some of that would come our way if car is left plugged in.

Getting a Fiat 500e (wifes car) just had a SMS saying its built and about to be shipped........... mild panic attack as charger being fitted on 4/1/23...they said car would be here Jan.

Not complaining though

I’m similar got an EV6!arriving in Jan and Solar panels plus a tethered Zappi arriving in Feb. I’m going to wing it for the first month with a combination of the 3pin plug and a local 150kWh public charger which should be interesting!

[______]

Jonny_ said:

I would suggest avoiding EO, mine is 18 months old and has been nothing but trouble for much of that period.

It's no fun finding that your car hasn't been charged overnight and you've insufficient range to get to work and back.

EO customer support is abysmal; they seem to operate on the principle of "it can't possibly be our product, it must be user error". And that's if you can even get them to answer the phone.

It's getting ripped out and returned next week, and an Easee One fitted in its place, which comes highly recommended and hopefully will just quietly do its job. The installer (who in fairness have been excellent) have stopped supplying EO chargers, due to both the volume of faults they've encountered and the problems that they themselves have had in dealing with EO.

We have two Easee chargers, touch wood, seem to work well and very compact.