Everything You Need To Know To Find The Best Ac Type 2 Ev Charger

Author: Marina

Jan. 13, 2025

EV Chargers: Everything You Need to Know

EV CHARGERS: Everything You Need to Know (Prices, Charge Speeds, Brands)

Last Updated: 7th Jan By Finn Peacock, Chartered Electrical Engineer

Click here to get more.

Choosing the right charger is important.

This guide covers selecting and installing home EV chargers, plus integrating them with solar. I&#;ll also explain how your charger can work with home batteries and variable electricity tariffs when you can&#;t charge directly from solar.

But if you&#;re in a hurry and just want to know the best EV home chargers to buy in Australia, here are the details.

EV Charger Comparison Table

Compare EV charger prices and specifications side-by-side. This comparison tool lists standard and smart electric vehicle charging solutions currently available in Australia.

Product Name Product Name Tesla Gen 3 Wall Connector myenergi Zappi ABB Terra Wallbox

Delta AC MAX (smart)

  • Delta AC MAX (smart)
  • Delta AC MAX (basic)

EO Mini Pro 2

  • EO Mini Pro 2
  • EO Basic
EVNex E2

EVOS Fleet22

  • EVOS Fleet22
  • EVOS SB7
Fronius Wattpilot Goodwe HCA Series JET Charge ChargeMate

KEBA KeContact P30 a-series

  • KEBA KeContact P30 a-series
  • KEBA KeContact P30 c-series
  • KEBA KeContact P30 x-series

Ocular IQ Solar

  • Ocular IQ Solar
  • Ocular LTE

Ohme Home Pro

  • Ohme Home Pro
  • Ohme ePod
Scame BE-W Net Schneider Charge Smappee EV Wall SolarEdge Home EV Charger Soltaro EV Charger Teltonika TeltoCharge Victron EV Charging Station Wallbox Pulsar Plus Weidmuller AC SMART ZJ Beny AC EV Charger

Sigenstor EV DC charging module

  • Sigenstor EV DC charging module
  • Sigenergy AC EV Charger
Manufacturer Logo Product Image Product variant Price (Approx. AUD price RRP inc. GST) $800 $1,595 $2,000 $1,990 $1,495 $1,395 $1,800 $1,800 $850 $2,000 $2,000 $1,600 $1,395 $1,800 $1,500 $1,729 $2,000 $1,050 $1,450 $1,000 $1,549 $800 $750 $6,700 Single phase or three phase? Single-phase Single-phase Single phase Single-phase Single-phase Single-phase Both Both Single phase Single-phase Single-phase Single-phase Single phase Single phase Both Single-phase Single phase Single phase Single phase Both Single-phase Single phase Single phase Both Rated power 7 kW 7 kW 7.4 kW 7.4 kW 7.2 kW 7.4 kW 7-22kW 22 kW 7 kW 7 kW 7.4 kW 7 kW 7.4 kW 7.4 kW 7-22 kW 7 kW 7.4 kW 7kW 7.4 kW 22kW 7.4 kW 7kW 7.4kW 12.5 kW Rated current 32 A 32A max 32A 32 A 32 A 32 A 32A 6-32 A 32 A 32A 32A 32 A 32A 32A 16-32 A 32 A 32A 32A 32A 32A 32 A 32A 32A 40A Country of manufacture China United Kingdom Italy Unknown - manufacturer unresponsive United Kingdom New Zealand Australia Austria China Unknown - manufacturer unresponsive Austria China China Italy China Belgium Unknown - manufacturer unresponsive China Lithuania Netherlands Spain Germany China China Enclosure dimensions 345 x 155 x 110 mm 439 x 282 x 122mm 320 x 195 x 110 mm 218 x 371 x 167 mm 175mm x 125mm x 125mm 286 x 185 x 66 mm 380 x 100mm 155 x 110 x 260 mm 208 × 450 × 150 380 x 180 x 130 mm 516 x 240 x 166 mm 269 x 360 x 146 mm 200 x 170 x 100 mm 235 x 370 x 115 mm 352 x 244 x 117 mm 300 × 300 × 110 mm 309 x 190 x 154 mm 368 x 168 x 215 mm 170 mm x 341 mm x 94 mm 390 x 300 x 150 mm 166 x 163 x 82 mm 268 x 433 x 150 mm 169 x 380 x 151 mm 700 x 270 x 260 Weight 6.8 kg 5.5 kg 6.5 kg 3.8 kg 1.3 kg 2.3 kg 6.5 kg 2 kg 6 kg 3 kg 7.8 kg 7.6 kg 4 kg 6.2 kg 3.2 kg 9.8 kg 2.85 kg 8 kg 2.8 kg 3 kg 2 kg 5.1 kg 9 kg 40 kg PIN/physical lock? No Yes No No Unknown - manufacturer unresponsive No Lock via app/VID to authorised user Yes Yes Unknown - manufacturer unresponsive Unknown - manufacturer unresponsive Yes No No Yes Unknown - manufacturer unresponsive Yes Optional Card authorisation Unknown - manufacturer unresponsive Yes RFID on "Value" and "Advanced" models Yes RFID Multi-user support Yes No No Yes (RFID card) No Yes Yes No Yes Unknown - manufacturer unresponsive Unknown - manufacturer unresponsive Yes Yes Yes No Yes Unknown - manufacturer unresponsive Optional Yes No Yes (Super-user can create multiple user profiles for different people) On "Advanced" model Yes No Charge cable length 7.3 meters 6.5 meters 5m or 7.6m 5 meters 5 meters 5 meter, 8 meter 5 or 6 meters N/A 6 meters Unknown - manufacturer unresponsive 6 meters 5 meters 5m / 8m 4m (single phase) 4m/7.5m (three phase) Untethered, 5m cable or 7m cable 8 meters 7.6 m 6m default 5m N/A 5 meters (optional 7 meters) 5m, 7m, 10m 6 meters 5 / 7.5 m Display No Yes Yes No No Yes LED colour status No No Yes No Yes Yes - LCD Screen and LED charging status bar Yes Yes (LEDs) No No LEDs No Yes No No Yes - charging indicator LED Standby power consumption < 5W 3W <5W < 2.6 W < 5W <4 W <8W < 5W <6 W Unknown - manufacturer unresponsive < 2W Unknown - manufacturer unresponsive <5W <5 W <3W < 5W <5 W 2W 4W <5W 5W <5W < 5W <5W Charging modes Fast, scheduled 3 mode - Eco, Eco+, Fast Unknown - manufacturer unresponsive Unknown - manufacturer unresponsive Solar-only, fast Solar-only, Solar with Grid Fallback, Fast and Dynamic Load Balancing Solar only, Dynamic Load Balancing, Time Schedule, Tariff Schedule, Load Balancing. Eco Mode, Next-Trip Mode (both use Solar Surplus), Time Scheduler Fast charge, charging from PV only and charging from PV & Battery only. Unknown - manufacturer unresponsive Unknown - manufacturer unresponsive Unknown - manufacturer unresponsive Dynamic Load Balancing & Solar Compatible Ecoplus, Ecosmart, Full Custom schedule, "Reduce my bill" mode, dynamic load balancing Solar-only, scheduled, fast Smart schedules, excess solar charging Full Speed, Solar Optimised, Hybrid Solar/Dynamic load balancing Manual mode/Automatic mode Power boost, Eco-smart, Eco-mode Solar, fast Multiple - see datasheet Fast, eco Solar Smart Charging No Yes With additional hardware Yes Yes (extra cost) Yes Yes Yes Yes - only if paired with a Goodwe inverter Yes No Yes Yes No Yes - requires additional hardware Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes On "Value" and "Advanced" models Yes Yes Internet connection? Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes App control Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes 3 to 1 phase smart switching No Yes Unknown - manufacturer unresponsive No Unknown - manufacturer unresponsive No Yes Yes No Unknown - manufacturer unresponsive No No No No No Yes No No Yes Not yet - hardware upgrade due Q2 Unknown - manufacturer unresponsive On "Value" and "Advanced" models Unknown - manufacturer unresponsive Yes OCPP1.6 compatible? No Yes Yes Yes No No Yes (upgradable to 2.0) Yes No Yes No Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes No Yes Not yet - software update due 'soon' Yes On "Value" and "Advanced" models Yes Yes IP rating IP 55 IP 65 IP 54 IP 55 IP 54 IP 55 IP 65 IP 55 IP 66 IP 54 IP 54 IP 54 IP55 IP54 IP 55 IP 54 IP 54 IP 65 IP 55 IP 44 IP 54 IP 54 IP55 IP 66 Operating temperature -30 °C to 50 °C -25°C to +40°C -35 - +50 °C -30 ºC to +50 ºC -10 °C to 50 °C -25°C to 55°C -25 °C to 55 °C -25 ºC to +40 ºC -30 ~ +50 C 0 ºC to +50 ºC -25 °C to +40 °C -30 ºC to 50 ºC -25°C to 45°C -30°C to +50°C -30 ºC to 50 ºC -25 °C to 40 °C -30~50°C -25-55 C -30ºC - +50ºC -25 - +50 °C -25 ºC to 50 ºC -30 °C to +50 °C -25°C - +55°C -30 - +60 °C Bi-directional? No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No No Yes Warranty (years) 4 years 3 years 2 years 2 years 3 years 3 years 2 years 2 years 2 3 years 2 years 2 years 3 years from installation date 4 years 2 years 3 years 3 years 3 years 3 years 5 years 2 years 2 years 3 years 3 years On our recommended chart? Yes No Yes Yes No No No Yes Yes No No Yes No No Yes No Yes No No No Yes No No Yes Notes Free Evnex Residential App, Carbon Tracking, Electricity Tariff Setting, Charging Session History, and Charging Schedule. Free "MyEVOS" app for stop/start/restart, tariff selection and historical charging data If you have a SolarEdge Genesis inverter, you need to pay $300 to unlock the "Genesis Enhancement Pack" before this charger can be used as part of your system. Available both tethered and untethered Module of the Sigenstor all-in-one battery. Must be paired with the Sigen Energy Controller (inverter). Datasheet Supplied? Tesla Wall Connector datasheet Zappi datasheet ABB Terra Wallbox datasheet Delta AC Max datasheet EO Mini Pro 2 datasheet EVNex E2 datasheet EVOS Fleet22 datasheet Fronius Wattpilot datasheet Goodwe HCA datasheet JET Charge ChargeMate datasheet Yes Yes Yes Scame BE-W Net datasheet Schneider Charge datasheet Smappee EV Wall datasheet SolarEdge Home EV Charger datasheet Soltaro EV Charger datasheet Teltonika TeltoCharge datasheet Victron EV Charging Station datasheet Wallbox Pulsar Plus datasheet Weidmuller AC SMART datasheet ZJ Beny AC EV Charger datasheet Yes Warranty Supplied? Tesla Wall Connector warranty Zappi warranty ABB Terra Wallbox warranty Delta AC Max warranty No EVNex E2 warranty EVOS Fleet22 warranty Fronius Wattpilot warranty Goodwe HCA warranty JET Charge ChargeMate warranty No Yes Yes Scame BE-W Net warranty Schneider Charge warranty Smappee EV Wall warranty SolarEdge Home EV Charger warranty Soltaro EV Charger warranty Teltonika TeltoCharge warranty Victron EV Charging Station warranty Wallbox Pulsar Plus warranty Weidmuller AC SMART warranty ZJ Beny AC EV Charger warranty Yes Modern slavery statement or forced labour policies?

Tesla modern slavery statement.

MyEnergi modern slavery statement.

ABB modern slavery statement

Delta modern slavery statement

No response from manufacturer.

Under development as of September

Yes, here

Fronius modern slavery statement.

Goodwe modern slavery statement.

No response from manufacturer.

No response from manufacturer.

Yes, here.

Yes, here

No response from manufacturer.

Schneider modern slavery statement.

No response from manufacturer.

SolarEdge modern slavery statement.

Soltaro modern slavery statement.

No response from manufacturer.

No response from manufacturer.

Wallbox modern slavery statement.

Yes, here

Yes, here TBD More information on brand Here Here Here Here Here Here Here Here Here Here Here Here Here Here Here Here Here Here Here Here Here Here Here Here

What kind of spreadsheet would you like?

  • For Analysts

    One product per row, with no images

  • For Consumers

    (Easy to browse)

    One product per column, with product images

  1. Why Your Home EV Charger Matters
  2. Understanding kW And kWh And Why It Matters With EV Chargers
  3. How Home EV Chargers Work
  4. Choosing The Right EV Charger For Your Home
  5. EV Charger Costs: Hardware And Installation
  6. Technical Considerations
  7. Understanding EV Charger Warranties
  8. Integrating Your EV Charger With Solar And Home Batteries
  9. Optional vs Essential EV Charger Features
  10. EV Charger Brands Available In Australia
  11. Best EV Chargers On The Australian Market?
  12. EV Charger Location: Garage or Driveway?
  13. Bi-Directional EV Chargers
  14. FAQs
  15. Conclusion
  16. EV Charger Quotes
  17. Helpful Links

Why Your Home EV Charger Matters

A good EV charger does more than fill your car battery as fast as possible; it optimises your charging to automatically charge from solar and/or cheap overnight electricity, dodging peak electricity rates, which can be up to ten times more expensive.

Pro-Tip: If you have a home battery, a well-integrated EV charger charges your car without draining your home battery&#;s energy. An EV charger that&#;s not properly integrated will simply drain your home battery into the car&#;s battery, leaving your home dependent on the grid overnight.

If you simply buy a cheap charger online and then ask your local sparky to install it &#; it won&#;t be configured to play nice with your electricity tariff, solar or home battery. This guide will show you how to choose the right EV charger and find an electrician who knows how to install it properly.

Understanding kW And kWh And Why It Matters With EV Chargers

In this guide, I&#;ll regularly use two key terms: power (kW) and energy (kWh). The little &#;h&#; at the end changes the meaning completely.

In the realm of EV charging:

  • Power (kW) indicates the charging speed for your EV&#;s battery, ranging from 2 kW to 22 kW for home setups.
  • Energy (kWh) measures your battery&#;s storage capacity, with each kWh enabling approximately 6 km of driving.

The terms &#;Power&#; and &#;Energy&#; are not interchangeable when talking about EV charging.

An example: if your EV charger charges at a power (AKA speed) of:

  • 7 kW
  • for 2 hours

&#;you will get 14 kWh of energy into your car&#;s battery.

How Home EV Chargers Work

EV chargers use either alternating current (AC) or direct current (DC) to charge your car&#;s battery.

Almost all home EV chargers use AC. They convert AC power from the grid to DC power, which is compatible with the EV battery.

That sets home EV chargers apart from the fastest public chargers, which operate on DC electricity and can charge up to 50 times faster than a typical home charger.

Nerd Fact: Can you install a DC fast charger at home? Yes! As a part of Sigenergy&#;s Sigenstor all-in-1 battery, you get a 25 kW bi-directional DC charger, which is the fastest home EV charger currently available in Australia. Find out more in the video below:

A Home EV Charger Is Not An &#;EV Charger&#;

Although the device on your wall is commonly referred to as an EV charger, the actual charging system&#;responsible for converting your home&#;s AC electricity into DC electricity and safely feeding it into the battery is built into your car:

The onboard charger looks something like this:

Onboard EV charger power ranges from 2 kW to 22 kW, depending on the car model.

The charging station on your wall is technically called an EVSE (Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment). It works like this:

  • the charger inside your car tells the EVSE how much power (kW) it can take
  • then, the EVSE supplies power to the car&#;s charger, but only up to that limit


Choosing The Right EV Charger For Your Home

Slow Trickle Chargers (Level 1 EV Chargers)

Trickle chargers come for free with most cars, except Teslas. They start at $350 when bought separately (Tesla&#;s &#;Mobile Connector&#; costs $550). Because they plug into a standard power point, they don&#;t require installation (unless you need to install a new power point where you park the car).

Pro-Tip: Extension Cords. Be careful using an extension cord to power your EV. Consider investing in a dedicated power point close to the car for regular charging. If you must use an extension cord &#; please read our in-house electrician&#;s advice on the safer way to charge with an extension cord.

A standard powerpoint is limited to providing 10A of current.

10A x 230V = 2.3 kW.

That means trickle chargers charge at about 2 kW.

If your car has a small 60 kWh battery (e.g. Tesla Model 3 RWD), that&#;s 30 hours to fully charge.

Check if your mobile charger has a button or setting to adjust the amperage. Many chargers are set to their lowest amp setting (e.g., 6 amps) by default, limiting charging speed. Switching to a higher setting (e.g., 10 amps) can significantly reduce charging time.

Trickle charging limitations

Trickle chargers are painfully slow unless you have a small battery or don&#;t drive much. The charge rate is equivalent to adding 10 km of range every hour.

If you&#;re using a trickle charger for your car, you might keep it plugged in at home all the time to get as much charge as possible. But, there are downsides:

  1. Costly Timing: Charging in the evening peak, between 4pm and 10pm, can hit your wallet hard. This is when electricity prices soar because almost everyone&#;s pulling from the grid. If you&#;re on a standard rate, you might not notice. But those on a time-of-use rate will. You could set a timer to charge in off-peak hours (10pm-5am), but then you&#;re only getting a limited charge, about 14 kWh, which might not be enough.
  2. Solar Challenges: Depending on your solar setup and the time of year, there might only be a short window of 3-4 hours daily when you&#;ve got enough surplus solar to charge the car. Your mobile connector will pull electricity the grid outside of these hours, which can be 10x more expensive per kWh.
  3. Safety Risks: Standard power points can be vulnerable to the long, high-amperage draw that car charging demands. Using one at a constant 10 amps will expose any wiring issues in your home, from tripping breakers to more serious hazards like overheating plugs. While some advanced mobile chargers can sense temperature and dial back power to prevent overheating, not all have this feature. If you regularly charge from a power point, please read this advice from our in-house electrician, Anthony, to stay safe.

Investing in faster home charging

I recommend investing in a proper hard-wired charger at home and leaving your mobile charger in the boot for emergencies. If you&#;ve invested thousands in an EV, invest a little more in proper charging for your home.

Pro-Tip:You don&#;t need a hard-wired charger to charge at Level 2 speeds at home. You can install an industrial style 32A socket, and buy a portable charger that plugs into that. This will charge at up to 7kW on single-phase and up to 22kW on 3-phase.

Want to know more? We&#;ve got a whole page on EV charging with a 32-amp socket!

Tesla Tip: Tesla&#;s mobile charger has interchangeable plugs, and can charge at 7 kW, with a third-party 32A plug. I don&#;t know of any other car-manufacturer-supplied mobile connectors with this feature.

Fast Hard-Wired Home Chargers (Level 2 Home EV Chargers)

Pro-Tip: Compare hard-wired home EV Chargers with my constantly updated EV Charger Comparison Table

A hard-wired EV charger designed for household use can charge at 7 kW to 22 kW. That&#;s between 3 and 10 times faster than a regular mobile connector. To achieve these charging speeds, a dedicated cable is installed back to your switchboard.

The speed of your home EV charger depends on two things:

  • Whether your charger is 3-phase or single-phase (3-phase is up to 3x faster)
  • The maximum AC charge rate of your car model (e.g. BYDs are 7 kW max, modern Teslas are 11 kW max)

Dumb EV Chargers

A Dumb home charger charges as fast as possible every time you plug in. The car tells the charger the maximum power it will accept (via one of the wires in the EV charging cable), and a dumb charger simply matches that power.

Smart EV Chargers

However, with a smart charger, you gain control. In essence, it can decide whether to charge or not and may adjust the charging speed based on:

  • Time of day
  • Variable Electricity tariffs
  • Excess solar power
  • Home battery levels
  • Commands from your electricity retailer (if you sign up for such a plan)
  • Commands from your local electricity network (this doesn&#;t happen now but is likely in the future to prevent grid overload)

EV Charger Costs: Hardware and Installation

Hardware Cost

Since the internal electronics of an EV charger are relatively simple, many cheap options exist. However, the cheapest single-phase EV charger I would comfortably recommend is the Tesla Wall Connector. This one goes for $800 for single or 3-phase supplies. You can buy it directly from Tesla, but I&#;d recommend buying from the installation company. Then, they are responsible for both the hardware and installation warranty.

While the Tesla Wall Connector is compatible with most modern EVs, it is considered a &#;dumb&#; charger with no native smart solar charging capabilities unless you own the entire Tesla ecosystem, i.e., a Powerwall home battery and Tesla car.

Nerd Fact: Tesla&#;s &#;Gen 3 Wall Connector&#; will not be dumb for long. We expect an Over The Air update soon, that will make it OCPP compatible. Hooray!

The most expensive home charger I know of in Australia is the Keba KeContact P30 x-series, which costs an eye-watering $3,300.

Most home EV chargers with a good feature set cost about $1,500.

The cheapest OCPP-compatible charger I know of is the ZJ Beny at around $750, but I wouldn&#;t recommend it. A friend bought one and had so much trouble with it that he swapped it for a Tesla Wall Connector.

Installation Cost

EV Charger installation can cost as little as $300 for a single-phase charger right next to your switchboard, and up to many thousands if you need to run a long power cable, dig trenches, or even upgrade your supply and/or switchboard to handle the extra power requirements.

But most people will pay $ &#; $1,500 for the installation on top of the hardware cost.

  • Cable cost would go for $10 &#; $15 per meter.
  • Standard single-phase switchboard overhauls might range between $ &#; $
  • The cheapest DNSP supply upgrade would be $600 plus consumer mains cabling on the customer&#;s property, but if new power poles or transformer upgrades are required, this could expand to $60,000!

Technical Considerations

Selecting the Correct Plug for Your EV Charger

If you are buying a Home EV Charger, what connector/plug should it have to be compatible with your car?
This one is easy. Unless you drive an EV more than 5 years old (pre-) or have a special import, you need a &#;Type 2&#; plug (also known as a Mennekes or CCS2), which looks like this:

You can confirm by looking at the charging socket on your car it should look like this.

You may have noticed that the socket is a different shape from the plug! Don&#;t worry. The bottom part of the socket is for fast DC chargers to use. I&#;ll explain why later.

If you have an older EV you may need an adaptor to go from a modern EV charger&#;s Type 2 plug to fit your car&#;s vintage socket.

Single-Phase vs Three-Phase Chargers: What You Need to Know

All modern EVs can charge at 7 kW (~ 40 km added per hour) with a single-phase hard-wired EV charger.

If your home has a 3-phase supply, and you buy a 3-phase EV charger, each phase is capable of a maximum 7.3 kW. This way, your charger can charge at 22 kW (~ 125 km added per hour).

Pro-Tip: If you have a 3-phase supply, buy a 3-phase charger. The hardware costs either the same or about a hundred bucks more for 3-phase, and the installation costs a couple hundred bucks more. But, you&#;ll enjoy the faster charging when you are in a hurry, and even if your current car can&#;t charge at 3-phase speeds, you&#;ve future-proofed your EV charging setup.

EV Charger Speed Is Limited By Your Car&#;s AC Charging Rate

Some EVs can charge faster on 3-phase, while others can&#;t. For example, BYDs cannot charge quicker than 7 kW on single or three-phase AC.

Tesla&#;s Model 3 and Y can charge at 7 kW on single-phase and 11 kW on 3-phase.

Onboard charging at a full 22 kW on 3-phase AC is currently only available in Australia for the Polestar 4, Audi e-Tron GT and the Porsche Taycan, if you pay for the upgrade. The Renault Zoe can charge at 22 kW too, but it has been discontinued in Australia.

Maximum AC Charging Rates for EVs Sold in Australia

Is your car capable of charging at 7 kW, 11 kW, or 22 kW? To help you answer this question, we made a table showing the maximum AC charging rate for popular EVs in Australia. Use this to match your EV with the right charger.

EV Maximum AC charging rate BYD Dolphin 7 kW BYD Seal 7 kW BYD Atto 3 7 kW BYD Sealion 6 7 kW Renault Megane E-Tech 7 kW Fiat 500e 11 kW Mini Cooper EV 11 kW MG4 11 kW Tesla Model 3 11 kW Polestar 2 11 kW Hyundai Ioniq 6 11 kW Tesla Model Y 11 kW Kia EV6 11 kW Hyundai Ioniq 5 11 kW Volvo XC40 Recharge 11 kW Mercedes-Benz EQB 11 kW BMW iX3 11 kW Audi Q4 e-tron 11 kW Polestar 4 11 kW Kia EV5 11 kW Porsche Taycan 11 kW Audi e-tron GT 11 kW Mercedes-Benz EQS 11 kW BMW i7 11 kW MG Cyberster 11 kW LDV eT60 11 kW Ford E-Transit 11 kW Mercedes-Benz eVito 11 kW Jeep Avenger 11 kW Hyundai Ioniq 5 N 11 kW Polestar 4 + Paid upgrade 22 kW Porsche Taycan + Paid upgrade 22 kW Audi e-Tron GT + Paid upgrade 22 kW

Understanding EV Charger Warranties

Most people only use their hard-wired EV chargers for a couple of hours a day and their electronics are relatively simple. The longest EV charger warranties I&#;m aware of are only 5 years and most are only 2 or 3.

The main reason warranties are so short is EV chargers are still new technology. Once manufacturers are confident they can go the distance, they&#;ll hopefully lengthen the warranties. Those that can&#;t go the distance will either be improved or disappear from the market.

But the warranties don&#;t just have a problem with length. The protection they provide can be very limited. Ideally, you&#;ll want a warranty that&#;

  • fully covers the full cost of replacing a failed unit &#; including labour and transport. Watch out for warranties that only compensate with an undefined &#;market price&#; or only offer credit on the company&#;s products.
  • covers all components without exclusions, including the charging cable if it comes with one.
  • doesn&#;t exclude &#;wear and tear&#; as a cause for a warranty claim. If normal use can wear out an EV charger within its warranty period, then it&#;s a lousy product.
  • is backed up by an office in Australia. If the manufacturer doesn&#;t have an Australian office, then the importer is responsible for the manufacturer&#;s warranty.

Australian Consumer Law

Few EV charger warranties meet all the points above. But the good news is Australian Consumer Guarantees will still protect you. These apply no matter what a written warranty says and can still provide protection even after the warranty period. However, having a warranty that doesn&#;t force you to rely on Consumer Guarantees is always better. If something goes wrong, you&#;re less likely to need a fight to get the service you&#;re entitled to. 

To ensure the best possible consumer protection, I recommend paying an installer to both provide and install your EV charger. This way, if there&#;s a problem, the installer is responsible for ensuring your system functions as it should. If your installer is no longer around you can contact the manufacturer directly.

But if you purchase an EV charger online and then pay an installer to put it in, the installer is not responsible for the hardware warranty. You might get caught in the middle between manufacturer and installer, one blaming the other for problems.

Integrating Your EV Charger with Solar and Home Batteries

Solar Smart EV Chargers

If you have a large enough solar array, then one of the best features to look for in a home EV charger is smart solar charging.

This feature, when enabled, will monitor how much excess solar is available and divert that solar electricity into your car battery. That way, you are filling your car with the cheapest electricity in the world: behind-the-meter Australian solar.

This feature can be achieved in 3 ways:

  1. The EV charger has its own current sensor (CT), which goes around the cable from the street. When it senses electricity being exported it ramps up the car charging power to suit.
  2. The EV charger digitally communicates with the smart meter on your solar inverter instead of relying on its own sensor.
  3. An external app such as ChargeHQ talks to your EV charger and solar inverter via OCPP and controls your charger to achieve the same. The difference is that the smarts are in the app, not in the charger.

If you have a Tesla car, then there is a fourth way to achieve this. An external app like ChargeHQ talks to your solar inverter and car (not the EV charger) and commands the car to only charge on surplus solar (even if you have a dumb EV charger). Tesla owners in the USA can also do this using the Tesla app if they have a Powerwall to measure the solar. I expect this feature to be available to Tesla owners in Australia soon.

With competitive price and timely delivery, EraCharge sincerely hope to be your supplier and partner.

Note: if you have a small solar array &#; this feature will likely just frustrate you as your car can charge very slowly or not at all depending on how sunny it is. It is one reason new EV owners often upgrade their solar array to 10-20 kW.

Integrating with a Home Battery

If you have a home battery, it&#;s usually best to save the energy in the battery for your home, not to empty it into your car. Do you want to prevent this from happening? The foolproof way to do it is with this simple wiring change.

If your EV charger is the same brand as your home battery or hybrid inverter, then you should be able to achieve the same outcome with software. As they can all talk to each other, this gives you more flexibility.

Optional vs Essential EV Charger Features

Smart EV chargers can include several smart charging features. But I&#;d say the most important feature is a weird acronym: OCPP.

Essential Feature: OCPP &#; The One Feature To Rule Them All

The most forward-thinking feature of an EV charger is its compatibility with the Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP). This facilitates communication with other OCPP devices and integration with third-party services for optimised charging strategies, including cost-saving tariffs linked to energy market prices.

If you have OCPP, most of the following features can be added with software:

Optional Feature #1: Multiple Charger Load Management

This feature allows for coordinating multiple chargers to distribute electrical load evenly. This ensures the household&#;s main circuit breaker isn&#;t overwhelmed.

Optional Feature #2: Household Loads Demand Management 

For homes with high power demands (e.g., electric floor heating), enhanced load balancing adjusts the power distribution to prevent circuit overload while charging EVs.

Optional Feature #3: Extra Cable Length

Ensure your cable is long enough to work any way you park. Pick an untethered charger and grab a lengthy &#;Type 2 to Type 2&#; cable. This way, you can easily charge two cars, no matter how they&#;re parked, without the hassle of moving them around.

Optional Feature #4: Timers

Using a timer to benefit from time-of-use tariffs for cheaper off-peak charging makes sense, especially when solar production is insufficient. Every EV I&#;ve ever sat in can also be configured to charge on a timer &#; but I find it easier to rely on the charger than the car, especially if you have multiple EVs.

Optional Feature #5: Secure Access

Implementing a PIN code restricts charger access and ensures that only authorised users can initiate charging, providing peace of mind.

Optional Feature #6: Individual Car Electricity Use Tracking

Can the charger identify each user or vehicle and log their electricity consumption? This helps manage expenses among multiple drivers. This can be done through automatic detection or unique identifiers like codes or RFID cards.

Best EV Chargers On The Australian Market?

I asked over 500 Aussie electricians what home EV charger they would put on their own homes if money were no object. The clear winner was the Fronius Wattpilot. The Wattpilot is expensive at $, and very well made. It integrates natively with Fronius inverters. If you have a Fronius inverter, it&#;s the best choice.

I also asked what home charger they would put on their own homes if they were on a tight budget and the winner was Tesla&#;s Wall Connector. It is a high-quality charger compatible with any modern EV, but lacks many smart functions. Its low price makes it the best &#;dumb charger&#; in Australia. 

The Tesla Wall Connector can be smart &#; but only when paired with a Tesla Powerwall battery and Tesla car.

The Delta AC Max Smart which I own, only got two votes from our installers! The Delta brand is not well-known amongst Aussie residential electricians, but I know it well from my days working on Nuclear Power Stations. I know Delta gear to be well made and well supported, and can recommend their car chargers.

Pro-Tip: Stay in the inverter ecosystem. If you already have solar, then buying your electric car charger from the brand that makes your solar inverter or battery is a smart move to avoid compatibility issues when trying to coordinate your solar and battery with your charging. Fronius, Goodwe, SolarEdge and Sungrow all make EV chargers that should work seamlessly with their inverter/batteries.

Some EV Charger Brands Available In Australia

EV Charger Location: Garage or Driveway?

According to EV FireSafe, an EV has a 1 in 83,000 chance of catching fire . 

Even with those odds, I prefer to charge on a shaded driveway. My logic is that, although extremely unlikely, if my EV does catch fire, it&#;s less likely to burn the house down. So, my EV charger is installed outside.

But that&#;s just me. If you are happy to store a petrol car in your garage, charging an EV in there should be acceptable to you, too, as an EV is about 80 times less likely to catch fire than a petrol or diesel car.

EV chargers in the driveway can be mounted on a wall or a post. Charging cable length will determine whether you need to park a certain way around to reach the charge point &#; especially if you have more than one car.

Sidebar: Don&#;t have a driveway for an EV Charger? Solutions to EV charging on the street are explored here.

Bi-Directional EV Chargers

Some EVs can power household appliances (V2L), feed energy back to the grid (V2G), or supply electricity to homes (V2H), acting as mobile batteries.

V2L allows EVs to directly power devices during outages. This is useful in emergencies but is limited compared to dedicated home batteries.

V2G offers potential earnings for EV owners by selling power back to the grid during peak demand.

However, it doesn&#;t supply home power during blackouts. V2H stands out by enabling EVs to function as home battery systems, potentially replacing the need for separate batteries, especially for homes with solar panels. This technology can keep operating during grid failures, with solar panels charging the EV.

Bi-directional chargers, necessary for V2H and V2G, are expensive and scarce in Australia, with regulatory and standardisation efforts ongoing. At the recent Sydney International EV Show , Minister for Climate Change and Energy Chris Bowen announced that Standards Australia has set a new standard that will allow V2G, &#;as early as Christmas this year.&#;

V2H has promise and investing in solar panels to prepare for its wider adoption is a wise choice. For more information, look at our in-depth article about V2L, V2H and V2G.

Cars that offer V2L, V2G, V2H

* requires &#;Wallbox Qasar 2&#; bi-directional inverter, which hasn&#;t been released yet &#; so we can&#;t confirm that Cupra&#;s claimed V2G/V2H works

Currently, the Nissan Leaf is the only fully electric car with V2G and V2H capabilities. However, you can convert your V2L vehicle to run parts of your house.

For example, Home Open Energy Manager (HOEM) has a V2L controller you can install in your home. It enables V2H-like functionality from EVs with only V2L capabilities. When your V2L car is connected to the HOEM system, it can power select house circuits during grid outages or peak times.

Tesla Powershare

&#;Tesla Powershare&#; is Tesla&#;s answer to Vehicle to Home (V2H) and is only available in the USA at time of writing. Americans can use Tesla Powershare if they have a Powerwall 3, a Tesla Wall Connector and a Cybertruck.

Check our blog post on Tesla&#;s Powerwall 3 for more information on how it works.

EV Charger Cables

Which cable do I need for my EV charger? How long of a cable do I need? Is an adaptor necessary? How much will a cable cost me? Find out the answers in my EV Charging Cables guide.

Public EV Chargers

When you can&#;t charge at home, you&#;ll need to charge at public EV chargers. I break down everything you need to know about charging on the road in my Public EV Charging guide.

EV Charger Reviews

How are everyday Australians finding their EV chargers? Read about their experiences and insights on our EV Charger Reviews page.

FAQs

How long does it take to charge an EV?

This depends on what type of charger you use. A modern 500-km-range EV will use about 16 kWh of electricity to go 100 km (it will use more when it&#;s cold or if you drive like a nutter).

  • Plugged into a regular powerpoint, it will take 8-10 hours to replenish that 100 km.
  • A typical hard-wired home charger will take just over 2 hours to add 100 km.
  • A DC fast charger can add 100 km in well under 10 minutes.

How much does it cost to charge an EV?

The charger you use, and the power it uses, will also determine the cost from &#;free!&#; to &#;Hang on, that&#;s almost as much as petrol!&#;

  • A solar smart charger using excess solar, otherwise curtailed, can add 100 km for free. 
  • A smart charger using excess solar, otherwise exported, can add 100 km for 48c to $3.20 depending on the forgone feed-in-tariff.
  • A timed charger on an off-peak grid tariff can add 100 km for as little as $1.28.
  • A dumb charger, charging in the evening peak, might cost closer to $10.
  • A DC fast charger can cost $13.60 to add that 100 km.

Can I install my own EV charging point?

You can plug a trickle charger into a suitably rated socket. However, installing your own wiring to the main switchboard is illegal.

In many cases, EV chargers over 4.6kW or 20amps AC require network permission to connect.  Meanwhile, installing the correct cable and circuit protection is electrical work that requires a 4-year qualification.

Can I sit in my EV while charging?

Yes, it&#;s safe to sit in your EV while it&#;s charging. Modern EVs come with several safety features that keep the high-voltage battery system separate from the cabin, so you&#;re not at risk from the charging current. However, keep in mind that running the air-conditioning might slow the charging rate down a little bit.

Is it better to charge an EV slowly or fast?

Charging an EV fast creates heat, which may be detrimental to long-term battery health. However, modern EVs have liquid cooling and refrigeration systems to control battery temperature. Meanwhile, the Battery Management System will limit charging speed if temperatures are too high or too low. 

The real concern about charging speed should be etiquette.

Charging above 80% is a slow process, so you shouldn&#;t use a fast charger to completely fill your battery when someone is waiting. AC chargers are better for topping off, but 100% state of charge isn&#;t necessary unless you&#;re planning a maximum range trip.

Does driving fast drain an EV&#;s battery?

Driving fast doesn&#;t deplete your EV battery in the same way an ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) car depletes its petrol at higher speeds. An IC engine is most efficient at wide-open throttle. However, few people ever get to use a &#;full acceleration, then coast to the next stop&#; driving technique. 

EVs are fundamentally more efficient. This is in part due to the energy recovery available through regenerative braking. Full acceleration will create more waste heat in the electrical system and tyres. But fast driving won&#;t halve your fuel mileage around town.

Highway speeds are heavy on EV energy consumption, though. Aerodynamic drag increases with the square of speed, so anecdotally speaking, you&#;ll get twice as far at 90 km/h as you would at 120 km/h.

Do electric cars lose charge if they&#;re not used?

EVs don&#;t lose a great deal of charge while parked.

However, any modern EV or petrol car with keyless entry may suffer from a flat 12-volt battery. If the key fob is stored within a few metres of the parked vehicle, the car security system may be kept active, sweeping for a signal (with the expectation that you&#;re approaching and want the door open).

Keeping keys away from the vehicle &#; and maybe even in a Faraday cage &#; is also a good anti-theft measure.

Some EVs have a &#;sentry mode&#; where the mobile internet connection is kept active while the cameras on the front, rear and sides are all recording just in case there&#;s an incident. This can use some hundreds of watts of load, which might deplete the EV traction battery in a week.

Everything You Need to Know About EV Charging Types

Are you considering making the switch to an electric vehicle but feeling overwhelmed by the various charging options available? You&#;re not alone. With global EV sales doubling to 10.5 million units in , more drivers than ever are navigating the world of EV charging for the first time.

The transition to electric vehicles represents one of the most significant shifts in transportation history. According to the International Energy Agency, EVs are expected to make up 60% of global vehicle sales by . Yet, one of the biggest concerns for potential EV owners remains charging infrastructure and understanding the different charging types available.

Whether you&#;re a new EV owner or just exploring the possibility, understanding charging types is crucial for a seamless electric driving experience. From basic home charging solutions to ultra-fast public chargers, the technology behind EV charging has evolved dramatically. Did you know that modern ultra-fast chargers can add up to 200 miles of range in just 15 minutes? That&#;s a far cry from the overnight charging requirements of early EVs.

In this comprehensive guide, we&#;ll demystify EV charging types, helping you understand everything from basic Level 1 charging to cutting-edge ultra-fast charging technologies. By the end of this article, you&#;ll have the knowledge to choose the right charging solution for your needs and make informed decisions about your electric vehicle journey.

What is EV Charging & How Does it Work?

At its core, EV charging is the process of replenishing the energy stored in an electric vehicle&#;s battery pack. Unlike traditional vehicles that rely on combustion engines and fossil fuels, EVs use sophisticated battery management systems to store and utilize electrical energy for propulsion.

The charging process involves converting AC (Alternating Current) power from the grid into DC (Direct Current) power that can be stored in the vehicle&#;s battery. This conversion happens either through the vehicle&#;s onboard charger or, in the case of DC fast charging, through an external charging station. Modern EVs use lithium-ion batteries, similar to those in your smartphone but much larger and more sophisticated.

&#;For perspective, while your battery might have a capacity of around 12 watt-hours, an average EV battery pack can store between 40,000 to 100,000 watt-hours of energy.&#;

Understanding Types and Basics of EV Charging

Electric Vehicle (EV) charging is categorized into three primary levels: Level 1 AC Charging, Level 2 AC Charging, and Level 3 DC Fast & Ultrafast Charging.

Each level offers distinct advantages, charging speeds, and use cases, making them suitable for different user needs and environments.

Below, we dive deeper into these charging types, their ideal scenarios, and real-world examples, providing a comprehensive understanding to help you make informed choices.

Level 1 AC Charging: The Entry-Level Option

Level 1 AC Charging is the most basic form of EV charging. It uses a standard 120-volt outlet, commonly found in homes and workplaces. This type of charging typically delivers around 3&#;5 miles of range per hour, making it the slowest option. However, its simplicity and low cost make it a popular choice among first-time EV owners.

Ideal For:

  • Daily Drivers with Low Mileage: Perfect for EV owners who drive less than 40 miles a day. Charging overnight is usually sufficient to replenish the battery for the next day.
  • Emergency Backups: A reliable fallback for times when faster charging options are unavailable.

Examples in Use: A compact EV like the Chevrolet Bolt or Nissan Leaf can be charged at home with minimal setup costs. For someone living in suburban areas with a short daily commute, Level 1 charging is both convenient and cost-effective.

Advantages:

  • Utilizes existing infrastructure (standard wall outlets).
  • Involves minimal upfront costs for equipment and installation.
  • Suitable for light EV users.

Challenges:

  • Charging a fully depleted battery can take up to 24 hours, making it impractical for high-mileage users or long trips.
  • Not ideal for scenarios requiring frequent or rapid charging.

Level 2 AC Charging: The Preferred Choice for Everyday Use

Level 2 AC Charging requires a 240-volt outlet or a dedicated charging station. It significantly boosts charging speeds, providing 20&#;50 miles of range per hour of charging. This level is widely used in residential settings, commercial spaces, and public charging networks.

Ideal For:

  • Daily Commuters with Moderate to High Mileage: EV owners who need faster charging to match their active lifestyles.
  • Homeowners Seeking Convenience: A Level 2 charger installed in a garage allows EV owners to start each day with a fully charged battery.
  • Businesses Supporting Green Initiatives: Companies often install these chargers at workplaces to encourage employees to adopt EVs.

Examples in Use:

  • A Tesla Model 3 owner charges their vehicle overnight at home, gaining enough range for a day&#;s commute.
  • A shopping mall installs Level 2 chargers in its parking lot, enabling customers to recharge while they shop.
  • Businesses like hotels use Level 2 chargers to attract eco-conscious travelers.

Advantages:

  • Faster charging time compared to Level 1, with most EVs fully charging in 4&#;8 hours.
  • Suitable for both residential and commercial purposes.
  • Affordable installation costs compared to Level 3 chargers.

Challenges:

  • Requires a dedicated 240-volt outlet, which may necessitate additional installation costs.
  • Not as rapid as Level 3 charging for on-the-go users.

Level 3 DC Fast & Ultrafast Charging: The Powerhouse of EV Charging

Level 3 chargers, commonly referred to as DC Fast Chargers, utilize direct current (DC) instead of alternating current (AC). These chargers operate at 400&#;900 volts, providing 60&#;80 miles of range in 20 minutes, with ultrafast variants delivering even higher power for quicker results.

Ideal For:

  • Long-Distance Travelers: Positioned along highways and major routes, Level 3 chargers cater to EV drivers needing a quick recharge during road trips.
  • Commercial and Fleet Operations: Essential for delivery services, rideshare vehicles, and electric buses that require minimal downtime between trips.
  • Urban Dwellers Without Home Charging: In cities, public DC Fast Charging hubs ensure EV owners without home charging options can charge quickly and conveniently.

Examples in Use:

  • A Hyundai Ioniq 5 driver uses a highway DC Fast Charger to recharge in just 30 minutes while traveling between cities.
  • Ride-hailing companies like Uber and Lyft equip their EV fleets with access to ultrafast charging networks to maintain operations.
  • Urban hubs in cities like San Francisco or London offer fast chargers at public parking lots for high-density populations.

Advantages:

  • Rapid charging speeds drastically reduce downtime.
  • Crucial for enabling long-distance EV travel.
  • Supports high-utilization vehicles like fleet or commercial EVs.

Challenges:

  • Expensive infrastructure and higher energy consumption lead to increased installation and usage costs.
  • Limited availability compared to Level 1 and Level 2 chargers.

Which Type of EV Charger is Best for Home EV Charging

When it comes to home EV charging, Level 2 AC Chargers stand out as the best choice for most EV owners. These chargers strike an ideal balance between speed, convenience, and affordability. Level 2 chargers use a 240-volt outlet, providing 20&#;30 miles of range per hour, which allows most EVs to fully recharge overnight.

This makes them perfect for daily commuters or households with moderate to high driving needs. Unlike Level 1 chargers, which use standard 120-volt outlets and require up to 24 hours for a full charge, Level 2 chargers significantly reduce downtime while remaining cost-effective to install and operate compared to the pricier Level 3 DC Fast Chargers.

For homeowners, a Level 2 charger ensures a seamless charging experience, turning the garage into a personal fueling station. Whether you&#;re driving a compact EV or a larger electric SUV, investing in a Level 2 charger ensures your vehicle is ready to go when you are.

Choosing the Right Charger for Your Lifestyle

Selecting the ideal EV charger for your needs depends on several key factors, including your driving habits, access to charging infrastructure, and budget. For daily commuters who travel short distances, a Level 1 AC charger is often sufficient, as it provides enough range overnight for typical daily use.

Homeowners with moderate to high mileage requirements may find a Level 2 AC charger more suitable, offering faster charging speeds and the convenience of starting each day with a fully charged battery. For urban dwellers or those without access to home charging, public Level 2 chargers or Level 3 DC Fast Chargers can fill the gap, providing quick and reliable energy on demand.

Long-distance travelers and fleet operators may prioritize Level 3 DC Fast Chargers for their rapid charging capabilities, which significantly reduce downtime during extended journeys or high-usage scenarios.

However, these chargers come with higher installation and usage costs, making them more suitable for specific applications like highway stations, commercial fleets, or urban fast-charging hubs. Ultimately, understanding your lifestyle, budget, and driving patterns will help you make the best choice, ensuring your EV charging solution aligns with your mobility needs and enhances your overall experience as an EV owner.

Understanding EV charging types is crucial for both current and prospective electric vehicle owners. While the variety of options might seem overwhelming at first, each type serves a specific purpose in the EV charging ecosystem. For most users, a Level 2 home charger will serve as the primary charging solution, supplemented by public and fast charging options for longer journeys.

As charging technology continues to evolve and charging networks expand, the experience of owning and charging an EV becomes increasingly convenient. By understanding the different charging types available and their applications, you can make informed decisions about your EV charging setup and enjoy the many benefits of electric vehicle ownership.

Remember, the transition to electric vehicles is not just about the cars themselves but also about understanding and utilizing the charging infrastructure that supports them. Whether you&#;re charging at home, at work, or on the road, knowing your charging options ensures you can keep your EV powered up and ready for whatever journey lies ahead.

The company is the world’s best Ac Type 2 Ev Charger supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.

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