Welcome to the MJR blog space, we’ve got another article on the topic of EV charging equipment. This time, we’re going over, in our experience the best and most popular charging stations we’ve worked with.
Many of you may have, or have thought about purchasing an Electric Vehicle, and need to consider how you’re going to provide a level 2 charging station for your new or prospective vehicle. The last few weeks we discussed some of the more frequent issues we find in the field relating to EV charger installations. This week, we’re looking at which wall chargers we’ve found to be the most reliable, efficient, and versatile for your charging needs.
So here we have it, the top 3 EV Wall Chargers eligible for rebate.
#1 Tesla Wall Connector
It goes without saying, this is the best option for Tesla owners. Tesla vehicle software is optimized to work with the Wall Connector. The sleek design and charging cord upgrade your garage as much as your EV upgrades your daily drive.
The Gen 3 model can be programmed to charge speeds up to 48A, while the older Gen 2 model can reach up to 80A charge speed if the demand calculation permits and if you’ve got a Model S with “Higher Amperage Charger” add-on. Model 3 owners can only reach a charge speed of 32A, so in most cases- either Wall Connector is sufficient.
The Tesla Wall Connector is not without drawbacks when compared to other chargers however. The main disadvantage when compared to the next 2 models is their lack of automation and programming. The installation is also to be hardwired to the unit- no separate plug in connection offering consumer portability as the next 2 wall chargers do.
The biggest advantages for the Tesla Wall Connector is its significantly lower price point, it’s stylish design, and its high possible amperage output when compared to the other chargers.
#2 ChargePoint
The ChargePoint EV charging systems are the leaders in the industry for programmability, customer satisfaction, and versatility of their charging equipment.
A typical installation involves a NEMA 6-50R receptacle (range plug), and the wall charger is connected and mounted to hide the receptacle. If you have to move residences- or will shift your primary residence for an extended period of time- removing the wall charger and taking it with you is a realistic possibility. (Just make sure there’s a NEMA receptacle at your new charging spot!)
The Chargepoint is a J1772- so for Tesla owners that wish to charge using the Chargepoint- it is possible, but you need a J1772 adapter (available through Tesla)
The charger is programmed by the electrician to determine the maximum amount of current the wall charger can receive (up to 50A), and the homeowner can program when the EV receives its charge through the ChargePoint smartphone application. This means at peak hours when electricity costs more, you can program your Chargepoint to wait until electricity is cheaper before charging starts for your EV. So the automation aspect of saving $ the ‘smart’ way instead of the ‘manual’ way – remembering to walk down the stairs at 9pm each night to plug back in their Tesla ; is an option that will appeal to many EV owners.
A third significant advantage is the established Chargepoint Network and Chargepoint software. The app will notify you where Chargepoint stations are located and when they’re available. The user interface I think to be the best for consumers. The main advantage for ChargePoint is its limitless programmability in terms of the options with the software. Talk to your electrician about what you want your charger to do, and with Chargepoint, it’s usually possible.
The main disadvantage is the initial cost is high for these chargers, and after year of free app/software access, you have to begin paying a recurring fee to continue to use it.
#3 JuiceBox
The Juicebox wall charger shares many of the same features and advantages of the Charepoint chargers. It shares portability- a NEMA 30A or NEMA 50A receptacle is installed ahead of the charger, allowing ease of unit disconnection. It also wields a J1772 EV charge connector- the standard for most EV plug-ins, aside from Tesla.
It can be programmed with the JuiceBox smartphone app in a similar way as the ChargePoint. Avoiding peak hours means you save money. The smartphone reporting system is functional, but it lacks some of the features offered with ChargePoint.
It has a maximum charge speed of 40A, which although still sufficient for most, is less than the competitors maximum specs.
The aesthetics of the JuiceBox is one of the more frequent user complaints / disadvantage. The simple black and orange coloured rectangle box does not deter from it’s functionality as a wall charger- but it lacks the style and futuristic sleekness that the Tesla and Chargepoint Chargers provide.
In Summary
Hope you liked this edition of our top 3 chargers. There are many other good options available for wall chargers, do some research on the charger you think may be right for you based on your situation. Spending a few extra moments to consider what’s best for you given the different options available is always a good start- so hopefully this gives you a little head start. Happy charging!
To learn more about the types of electric vehicle charging solutions we provide, head over to our EV Charging page. If you have any immediate questions, or want to talk through a new project, please reach out to us on 778-776-4781, or submit your query via web form.
And if you want to explore the different types of EV Charging products available to you, visit our shop page.