While any old EV charger will give you a boost, the best smart chargers let you schedule charge times, create price caps, and tap into smart tariffs.
The EV charger market is constantly moving and there has been a marked increase in the number of home chargers you can buy over the last 24-months.
Brands like Hypervolt, Zappi, Sync EV, and Indra produce exceptional hardware and software for a near-enough perfect EV home charging experience.
This article reveals the best features to look for in EV home chargers.
Quick charge mode
Look for a charger that can quickly charge your EV battery in a shorter amount of time at the press of a button. This is usually called ‘boost mode’.
Boost mode works by increasing the power output of the charger, so your EV battery can charge faster. However, it’s important to note that using boost mode can increase your energy costs, so it’s important to use this feature responsibly.
Energy monitoring
Look for a smart charger that can help you monitor your energy usage, allowing you to make more efficient charging decisions.
Energy monitoring features can help you track your energy usage and make more efficient charging decisions. By monitoring your energy usage, you can ensure that you are only using the energy you need to charge your EV. This can help you save money on your energy bill and reduce your carbon footprint.
Energy monitoring can also help you identify if your EV is not charging efficiently, so you can take the necessary steps to make sure your EV is charging properly.
Scheduling options
Look for a charger that allows you to schedule your charging sessions, so you can plan when your EV will be ready to go. Scheduling your charging sessions can help you save time and money over the long run.
By scheduling your charging sessions in advance, you can ensure that your EV will be ready to go when you need it. Scheduling can also help you make more efficient charging decisions, as you can plan when to charge your EV so it will be fully charged when you need it. This can help you reduce your energy costs and reduce your impact on the environment.
App performance
App performance plays a critical role in EV charger user experience because it is how you schedule, monitor, and control your charging sessions.
As Top Charger points out, charger apps can also provide you with a convenient way to locate public charging stations and check the cost of charging.
Basically, your EV charger app can do more than just schedule your charging sessions. We recommend reading review on the app store to suss things out.
Safety features
Look for a charger that has built-in safety features, such as overcharge protection, current-limiting protection, and temperature control.
It’s also important to consider data privacy and software security. Look for home chargers with the latest security protocols, such as ETSI EN 303 645. These are harder to hack and will have security measures in place to prevent unauthorised use.
Compatibility
Look for a charger that is compatible with your EV model, as well as other EV models (some chargers tap into vehicle API’s to sync battery data).
Some EV chargers (like Ohme chargers) come with an API, which allows you to integrate your charger with other smart home systems. This can make it easier to manage and monitor your charging sessions, as well as integrate your EV with other smart devices in your home.
Warranty
Look for a charger that comes with a good warranty, so you can be sure that your charger is backed by the manufacturer.
The standard warranty for most EV chargers is one year. However, some manufacturers may offer a longer warranty on their products. It’s important to check with the manufacturer to find out what type of warranty they offer on their EV chargers.
Additionally, check what level of support is offered, and find out who will provide it – is it the manufacturer or the installer?