Best Home EV Chargers

So you have just purchased an electric vehicle (EV). The next step to take now is to decide on the type of EV charger to buy or install for your car at home.

The most scalable electronic chargers today have significantly advanced in delivering high efficiency as they allow charging at a much faster rate compared to what had been offered in recent years, and this feat is achieved without consuming too much energy.

Beyond the primary charging function, EV chargers have much upgraded in offering the ultimate customer experience. This is especially true for the leading EV charger producers of today. These chargers have developed and incorporated sophisticated smart technologies that allow remote control and management of the charging process; ensure compatibility with all electric and hybrid cars of today, as well as with future models; and work toward easy-to-use designs but without the expense of aesthetics.

Also, while some electric vehicle manufacturers provide or sell customers with their own chargers which can be installed at an extra cost, many customers still prefer to use EV chargers that are made by independent companies.

For you to choose your options more easily, here is a table of six of the top EV chargers most preferred in the United Kingdom which are worth considering whether you are on a tight budget, or after superior quality or a little of both merged into one:

1. Andersen EV

The most superb choice currently in the market is the Andersen EV, and everyone who are not on a budget can agree to this. The Andersen EV may easily draw one’s attention with its unique and elegant panel design: you can choose between its sustainable Accoya wood which doesn’t rot easily or metal exteriors coated with nylon for durability. Besides this, the Andersen EV allows customers to choose their preferred colors from its wide array of hues. The overall design helps it hide its cable system and even offers a night light. Indeed, the exterior of an Andersen EV is stunning and unmatched.

The engineering behind an Andersen EV also meets one’s expectations coming off from the exterior. Across all its products, the A2 and the P1, a 22kW power rate is standard for fast and efficient charging.

The Andersen A2 is its wall-mounted tethered cable while Andersen also offers a free-standing charger with its P1, which is relatively new in the market. Both the A2 and the P1 boast of Andersen’s second-generation Kønnect processor which allows users to charge monitor the charging progress and track the running cost f their consumption from their iOS and Android smartphone.

Andersen also allows various points of device connection through a single band 2.4gigahrtz; open, WEP, WAPI, WPA and WPA2-PSK WiFi security modes; ethernet; and Bluetooth.

2. myEnergi

As if EV chargers are not eco-smart enough, myEnergi takes it to the next level.

If you have a solar or wind system installed at home, myEnergi is a good option as it offers solar and wind power connectivity as a standard feature across its wide range of products. It allows for a 10 to 12-week dispatch.

Beyond this flexibility to solar and wind charging, myEnergi chargers have a programmable timer function; dynamic load balancing for maximum installation flexibility; a pin-code lock function; tap operated display backlight; built-in RCD protection; an integral cable holster.

It allows for three charging modes, namely eco, eco+ and fast. It also provides an economy tariff sensing which enables users to know when tariff levels are low, thus, save up on charging costs.

3. EO

EO has three main products for home charging. These are the Mini Pro, Smart Home, and Basic.

The Mini Pro is being touted as the smallest home charger in the market. At the Mini Pro level, users can already enjoy the eMotorWerk's JuiceNet technology, which provides drivers with more insight and control when plugging in just through using their smartphones. Key features of the EO-developed technology provides users with essential information through notifications such as the exact day and time you need your car charged, charging progress, or once charging is complete etc.; allows users to adjust power consumption; recommends charging schedules when EV tariffs are at their lowest; and a voice control feature that integrates with Amazon Echo/Alexa.

Meanwhile, the Smart Home is a smart electric vehicle charger that integrates with your solar panels, while the Basic home charger is a simple, plug and charge solution perfect for the everyday EV driver.

Further, EO is moving towards vehicle-to-grid charging and on their vision to provide an integrated system combining EV charging with solar, battery storage and other smart devices with the 'smart-grid', enabling users to optimise the use of solar PV, and keep grid import costs to a minimum.

4. PodPoint

PodPoint provides solutions for home, workplace and destination charging.

There are some 2,000 PodPoint charging points across the UK.

Its home-charging unit boasts of charging rate that is three times faster than a three-pin plug. For its commercial and workplace EV chargers, PodPoint offers customised pricing packages that suit you if you cannot handle substantial upfront costs from a one-time purchase.

Since its establishment in 2009, PodPoint has manufactured and sold over 40,000 charging points. The company also developed one of UK's largest public networks, connecting EV drivers with hundreds of charging stations nationwide at locations such as Sainsbury's and Southern Rail.

PodPoint has also served customers of many major automotive brands and countless high-profile companies such as Lloyds Banking Group, Britvic, and O2 Telefonica, among other workplace EV charging customers.

5. EVBox

Founded in the Netherlands, EVBox is the lone supplier of public charging infrastructure in several cities including Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and Monaco, to name a few. The EVBox has a wide range of products tailor-fitted to one's needs: for home, business, public, fast charging, and smart charging.

The Elvi, EVBox's primary model, intended for home use, is durable, smart, and has a simple design that makes it easy to use, install, and upgrade. It is compatible with all existing electric vehicle cars as well as those in the future.

For its Business-designed unit, EVBox lives up to its promise of cost-effective charging as its product allows simultaneous charging of two e-vehicles.

Meanwhile, its Level2 and Publicline, both made for public use, can also charge two cars at the same time. The units are integrated with multiple software providers for customer flexibility.

EVBox products are made more accessible to consumers, thanks to its leased / business cars (cost reimbursement) solutions.

All EVBox products utilise the free Hey app, which allows users to track and manage charging sessions from their smartphones.

6. RolecEV

RolecEV has been a go-to for those who want the best of both worlds: EV chargers that are competitively priced and at the same time are of superior quality.

RolecEV has a full suite of products that cater to different users, depending on their budget installation points, their intent for buying, whether it be for use at home, at a commercial or workspace, and on the streets. Its products are categorised in series according to their types: Wallmounted, BasicCharge; Ultra-Fast Charging; SecuriCharge; StreetServ; AutoCharge; and Quantum.

The Rolec EV product range is designed and built to be flexible and compatible with all leading EVs, as well as with all types and modes of charging.

RolecEV is a unit of the EV Rolec Services Ltd. which has been manufacturing electrical equipment for nearly three decades. Just last June, the RolecEV hit the 150,000-mark for its production of EV charging points. The company is tagged as the largest independent EV charge point manufacturer in the UK.

Considerations when buying an EV charger for personal use

1.Brand

The most popular brands, as tallied above, are the Andersen EV, Zappi, EO, Pod Point, EVBox, and Rolec.

Those that are into superior quality and are okay with spending extra will likely favour an Andersen. The Zappi, meanwhile, will draw the interest of those opting for a solar. On the other hand, the EO's eoMini is the most popular 'dumb' domestic charger for people without solar PV.

The considerably best mainstream 'intelligent' charger is the EVBox, taking into account its technological advancements and comprehensive functionality. Meanwhile, the Rolec is considered the 'budget' choice.

Although the table provided above does not provide a list of all available chargers in the market, nor does its provide a full view of its features, it highlights the overall basic functionality any vehicle charge look out for. Also, we have provided a comprehensive review of some of these chargers.

2. Type of charger

Now that you have narrowed down your search to the most preferred brands by the UK market, you have to zero in other equally indispensable factors to fit your needs.

One of the most frequent questions asked online about the type of charger to buy for home use is whether to get "tethered" or "untethered" charger.

A universal type charger is highly recommended as it gives flexibility should you choose to replace your old Type 1 to a Type 2 electric vehicle.

However, a tethered charger remains the top choice among many electric car users. This is so because a tethered charger is more "convenient" to use. By merely lifting the power cable in and out of the vehicle, you can commence the charging process for your car. After a while, however, many users find that tethered chargers burdensome to use.

3. Functionality

Two types of chargers are available in the market – the "dumb" and "smart" EV chargers. Dumb charge points are basically a dedicated charging station that does not offer power output monitor, remote control features and whatnots. Smart chargers, meanwhile, provides a lot more in terms of features.

Since dumb charging points are no longer eligible for OLEV home charge point grant (since July 2019), the smart charging system is the only option worth considering.

Smart chargers usually offer customers remote monitoring of charging time as well as kWh consumption, which can be a big help when getting reimbursements from other users or your office.

4. Aesthetics

Many customers still consider the exterior of EV chargers to make sure that they go well with their home design. Although EV chargers usually imbibe a techie feel, some EV chargers, such as the Andersen EV, offer a homey aesthetic.

It's worthy to look into brands that can offer customisation of the covering for your EV charger.

5. Solar connectivity 

Although this is merely an option for some, solar charging is offered by several EV charging players. Among them, as shown above, are Andersen EV, Zappi, EO, Pod Point, EVBox.

This option suits those who believe solar charging provides extra-efficient energy transfer. You can charge during the day. Depending on the sunlight, this method could suffice to get you through the day so you won't have to do the traditional charging at night. A solar charging option is also best for EV drivers that reside in countries that do not have enough EV charging stations installed for public use.