BMW i4 Reservation Tracker: Add Yours Here!

How to Choose the Best Home Wall Charger for Your Electric Vehicle

3595 Views 1 Reply 2 Participants Last post by BimmerTim, Feb 26, 2021

M Performance

Discussion Starter · Oct 1, 2020

I came across this article today that really helped me learn about EV chargers and what I should look for. Hopefully this can help other people on here as well.

How to Choose the Right Charger
When shopping for an EVSE, consider the following:

Cable length: The length of the charge cable has an impact on where you can mount the EVSE and how easy it is to reach the charge port on the car. Remember that your next EV may have a charging port on a different location on the car, and you’ll want to be able to reach it.
Cable management: It’s handy to have a hook to wrap the unused portion of the cable around. Otherwise, if the cable is scattered, it adds clutter in the garage, collects dust, and might cause someone to trip over it. The ability to place the holster for the connector away from the unit might add flexibility in a tight single-car garage.
Size: A wide wall charger or a thick one that sticks out far from the wall may encroach on space or your flexibility in placing it in the garage. For instance, a narrow unit might fit between two garage doors and pose a minimum space intrusion.
Ease of plugging/unplugging: We like to see a high quality, substantial coupler that lets you smoothly and effortlessly plug and unplug in and out of the car’s port. A solid and secure holster is an advantage, and it gives you confidence that the coupler will stay secure.
Smart or dumb charging: Some EVSEs have a smartphone app that communicates with the unit over WiFi or through Bluetooth. With an app, you can monitor the charging and view various stats. This sounds like a nice feature to have, but it isn’t essential because most EVs have their own app that communicates with the car.
Ability to delay charging: You may benefit from cheaper off-peak electricity costs, depending on your utility company. In such cases, being able to easily delay charging can save real money. Some cars, like those from Tesla, allow you to control the charging time from within the car or via an app.
Resuming charging automatically after a power outage: If you live in an area that has frequent power outages, it’s nice to know that charging will resume once the power is back on. That's better than being surprised when your EV isn't sufficiently charged when you’re ready to drive.
Weatherproof: For those without a garage, look for an EVSE that can stand up to inclement weather. (Manufacturers of most of EVSEs claim that they're weatherproof.)
UL Listed: It’s wise to pick an EVSE that’s Underwriters Laboratories (UL) or ETL (Edison Testing Laboratories) listed, which indicates it complies with safety standards established by nationally recognized testing labs. Every charger featured here has such a safety rating, indicated with a seal.
Hardwired or a plug-in type: The early EVSEs were mostly hardwired, meaning they were permanently installed. Current offerings are mostly plug-in units. We prefer those because of their portability and easier installation. You may still need to have a professional electrician run a 240-volt line and install an appropriate outlet in your garage or outdoor location.

How to Choose the Best Home Wall Charger for Your Electric Vehicle - Consumer Reports

In this review of the best home wall chargers for EVs, Consumer Reports evaluated models from Blink, Chargepoint, ClipperCreek, Evo, JuiceBox, Siemens, and Tesla.

www.consumerreports.org

See less See more

Save

1 - 2 of 2 Posts

BimmerTim

· #2 · Feb 26, 2021

There's a new home charger from Electrify Home that looks like a good option. I'm interested to see how it stacks up to other wall chargers.

Electrify Home® Introduces HomeStation®, a Connected Home Charging Solution to Simplify Electric Vehicle Ownership - Electrify America NEWSROOM

media.electrifyamerica.com

Reston, VA (February 24, 2021) – Electrify Home today announced the launch of HomeStation, a sleek new Level 2 residential electric vehicle (EV) charger designed to make home charging more convenient than ever.

With adjustable charging power levels of up to 40 amps, professional and do-it-yourself installation options, and programmable WiFi features, customers will quickly find the HomeStation to be an essential everyday product that fits easily into their unique lifestyle. The ability to schedule charging times provides the ultimate flexibility and convenience, and can help customers save on energy costs by charging during off-peak hours where such utility rates are available.

Connected Capabilities
HomeStation customers will be able to rely on the Electrify America app for all their home and public charging needs. The HomeStation’s WiFi capabilities let users sync their product with the app - which can then be used to start and stop charging sessions remotely, schedule future home charging sessions, and view charging status and reminders. Switching back and forth between the public network of more than 2,400 chargers and the HomeStation unit is a breeze, helping keep track of all their charging history in one app.

HomeStation also allows for integration with Amazon’s Alexa and Google Assistant, so customers can use their favorite voice assistants to communicate easily with the HomeStation.

Faster Charging Speeds
Backed by the nation’s largest ultra-fast charging network, the HomeStation is the brand’s fastest home charger yet. Under the 40 amp configuration, the HomeStation can deliver charging speeds of up to 9.6kW – 6.8 times faster than on a Level 1 charger. This means capable vehicles can add up to 33 miles of range per hour while charging on the HomeStation.

“Today’s EV drivers are looking for charging solutions that fit seamlessly into their lifestyles, and we’re confident that the HomeStation will deliver that desired level of simplicity for their home charging needs,” said Nina Huesgen, senior manager, Home and eCommerce at Electrify America. “By giving drivers the freedom to control and customize their home charging experience through the same app they use to access our expanding public network, Electrify America is becoming a go-to source for all charging needs – whether at home or on the road.”

Cost Saving Options
The versatility of the HomeStation provides for flexible installation options that can save users money in the long run. The product can be installed with or without the help of a licensed professional, depending on the user’s comfort level. During installation, and with input from a licensed and qualified electrician, the amperage can be configured to deliver either 40, 32 or 16 amps to help avoid expensive upgrades to the home’s electrical panel. In addition, the ability to schedule charging through the Electrify America mobile app may allow users to take advantage of lower energy costs during off-peak hours where such utility rates are available.

Highlighted HomeStation Features:

Sleek New Design: HomeStation was styled by world renowned design and engineering firm Italdesign, and features a slim black silhouette that lights up blue while actively charging, and green to indicate readiness of use.
Ease of Use: The Level 2 charger can be installed indoors or outdoors, and includes a 24-foot charging cable to allow users to easily reach their EV for charging.
Flexible Installation: The supply power requirements are compatible with most electric dryer power circuits. The HomeStation can be plugged in using a NEMA 14-50 style plug or hardwired by a licensed and qualified electrician.
Tiered Installation Pricing: Customers choosing to have a professional electrician install their new Level 2 charger can choose among three different installation packages offered by Qmerit to select the one that best fits their installation needs. Custom installation services are also available. Packages begin at $695.
Adjustable Power: To help limit installation costs and possibly prevent panel upgrades, the charger’s maximum output can be configured during installation for 40 amps, 32 amps, or 16 amps to fit almost any home electrical panel rating. Desired output can be designated via the mobile app and with the input of a licensed and qualified electrician.
Customer Support: HomeStation includes a 3-year limited warranty on parts and 24-hour customer service via a dedicated Level 2 charging telephone number.