Home charger reviews/resources

[AvRS]

Hey all, now that I've ordered an Enyaq I'm looking at chargers and honestly no idea what I'm looking for. If there's a better place to ask, please let me know.

 

Is there really much benefit from one to another other than the ability to use solar? I'm keen to use the smart charging capabilities as heard the Enyaq's scheduling isn't that great. So therefore it'll be one that uses the grant.

 

I had a look on other forums and found a mention about an Indra Smart Pro which is made in the UK but never heard of them before. They claim to be the world's smartest EV charger, which is a big claim! I do like the look of their Smart Pioneer as quite like the EV Energy app which they've partnered with and all the inbuilt protection seems really good. Seems quite expensive though at £845 socket/£945 tethered (think that's what the installer said on the phone). Puts it inline with the Zappi unit. I've also been looking at the PodPoint as seems a popular choice.

 

I don't currently have solar but have it on the future list as a potential investment so think I'd benefit in picking one with the capability. I plan to eventually change tariff next year when energy prices stabilise so quite like the idea of a charger/app that can link with tariffs to auto adjust timing.

 

If there's any good reading you think would help, please point me in the right direction, otherwise hope you can give me some good reviews/recommendations of what you're using.

 

Thanks

 

Alex

[classic]

I wouldn’t claim to know much, if anything, about them. The only thing I’ve really learned is they aren’t actually chargers but E.V.S.E (electric vehicle supply equipment) and the charger is actually onboard the car. 
I went with pod point, mainly as that was the one pushed by Skoda. So far, so good. Installation went well and the charge scheduling with the pod point app works well ( the car scheduling is rubbish). From what I’ve read, I think the Zappi is a better set up for using with solar, but I’ve also read that even with solar, it makes more sense to charge an ev overnight on economy 7, and use solar to run washing machines or charge a home battery during the day etc.

Theres a minefield of information out there, the more I read the less I seem to know !

Edited 20 October, 2021 by classic

[AvRS]

9 minutes ago, classic said:

I wouldn’t claim to know much, if anything, about them. The only thing I’ve really learned is they aren’t actually chargers but E.V.S.E (electric vehicle supply equipment) and the charger is actually onboard the car. 
I went with pod point, mainly as that was the one pushed by Skoda. So far, so good. Installation went well and the charge scheduling with the pod point app works well ( the car scheduling is rubbish). From what I’ve read, I think the Zappi is a better set up for using with solar, but I’ve also read that even with solar, it makes more sense to charge an ev overnight on economy 7, and use solar to run washing machines or charge a home battery during the day etc.

Theres a minefield of information out there, the more I read the less I seem to know !

That's extremely helpful! I love to learn from reading but it's totally over my head with this stuff. My dealer didn't really give any advice about it, I just happen to ask if they offer the Skoda IV version yet which they had on a stand next to the Enyaq but they don't. He then said, we just recommend Pod Point. That was all I could get from him. My wife likes the look of the PP and I don't mind it, plus the price is reasonable which helps. I'll have to look into that but in all honesty I don't think I would get solar in the next 4 years while I'm paying off the car so probably not worth choosing one because of it.

 

Thanks for taking the time to come back to me.

Edited 20 October, 2021 by AvRS

[classic]

You are welcome. I have the pod point schedule set to charge between 0030 and 1200, every day. I just plug the car in at night and the next day it’s charged. You can set the level of charge in the car or by using the Skoda app at any point before or after it has started charging. I have the pod point set to keep charging up to 1200 so if I need to put more charge in after I get up, or want to use the Aircon to pre cool or heat the car, it keeps the battery topped up to the percentage you set.

Whichever one you get, make sure you’ve got a good WiFi signal where it’s going to be sited. 

Edited 20 October, 2021 by classic

[AvRS]

Awesome, sounds similar to my style of charging. Thankfully with the WiFi, just behind the wall it's going, we have a Whole Home WiFi 6 disc so should be strong. I saw some have Ethernet abilities so was thinking I could also make use of the disc to plug directly in to ensure signal is always there. Pod Point is staying on the list as seems to fit the bill mostly. Hopefully some other users can share their recommendations too.

[john999boy]

Check out some of the YouTube videos by Artisan Electrics as they've installed a few different types of chargers.

[classic]

Should be fine then. My WiFi network actually only just shows one bar of signal strength on my phone where the Podpoint is, but it works ok. Where I actually wanted to put it was a bit hit and miss with the signal, so the installer recommended moving it. If the WiFi signal is lost or drops out, the pod point reverts to being on and available to charge so your car still charges just straight away rather than at the scheduled time.

Edited 20 October, 2021 by classic

[Luckypants]

I got mine from SmartHomeCharge, who have several options of chargers at various prices. They have video reviews of their chargers. 

 

https://www.smarthomecharge.co.uk/

 

https://www.smarthomecharge.co.uk/guides/charger-selector-tool/

[AvRS]

Thanks all, been doing some watching and looked at the recommended sites 

[jverdicchio]

Good timing on this discussion. I'm investigating the home charging labyrinth at the moment. I spoke to a home automation installer (who also does chargers) and he said "Zappi", works well with solar. So, I contacted 

 to get some quotes. Two quotes have come back both over £800 (Tethered 7kW unit). Have heard that PodPoint are also good. That seems to be coming in around the £600 mark for a tethered 7kW unit.  So, what do I get for my extra £200? The ability to charge using my excess solar. OK, so what is my solar output? I have a 3.25kW system for reference. I've kept good records since my solar was put in back in October 2012. Recording the meter output monthly over this time I'm getting through the summer months about 15kWh/day. This drops to around 3kWh in the winter. The Enyaq 60 has a 62kWh battery. If I left the car attached all day during the summer I'd only get a quarter "free" charge of the battery. During the winter it's almost not worth bothering with. I conclude that I'll save my £200 and putting it towards my electricity bill.

 

[snalbansed]

You'll only be charging when generating over 1.4 kW I think, if you want to be not using grid power. I understand that's a limitation of the charging standard rather than the Zappi. Still worth it in my opinion, but maybe not financially!

[AvRS]

4 hours ago, jverdicchio said:

Good timing on this discussion. I'm investigating the home charging labyrinth at the moment. I spoke to a home automation installer (who also does chargers) and he said "Zappi", works well with solar. So, I contacted 

 to get some quotes. Two quotes have come back both over £800 (Tethered 7kW unit). Have heard that PodPoint are also good. That seems to be coming in around the £600 mark for a tethered 7kW unit.  So, what do I get for my extra £200? The ability to charge using my excess solar. OK, so what is my solar output? I have a 3.25kW system for reference. I've kept good records since my solar was put in back in October 2012. Recording the meter output monthly over this time I'm getting through the summer months about 15kWh/day. This drops to around 3kWh in the winter. The Enyaq 60 has a 62kWh battery. If I left the car attached all day during the summer I'd only get a quarter "free" charge of the battery. During the winter it's almost not worth bothering with. I conclude that I'll save my £200 and putting it towards my electricity bill.

 

Very useful post, thanks 👍🏼

 

I've been doing lots of reading and watching and was looking at the Zappi and Hypervolt. Nothing to do with Solar just good feedback. After reading reviews about Hypervolt, I think they're now topping my list as the Facebook user feedback, installer feedback I've seen and responsiveness of their CEO on other forums and FB groups, seems like customer service and constantly developing upgrades are their no 1 priorities. They seem to match up well on price too at around £325 after grant starting price and then installation. Looks like most people are paying between £675 and £900 all in depending on their install needs. I've requested a quote so hopefully they'll contact me in the coming days and put me in touch with their recommended installer for Milton Keynes.

 

The previous owner of my house was an electrician so think he's wired everything up pretty well and had the fuse updated to a 100a when the smart meters were installed. Worst case I think it may need a new consumer unit or updated RCD. Will wait to hear back from an installer and let you know what quote I get.

 

Also I like they have a space grey model coming in December so will be looking at that one for sure as car is likely March delivery anyway so not in a rush.

[doctored]

Depends on whether you want to use solar or a smart charging tariff in the future.

 

If you have any intention of using solar, look at a Zappi or similar. Do not get a Podpoint as they are incapable of moderating charge rate to just use your solar power.

 

If you're using a tariff that has cheaper power at a fixed time of day (I have 5p/kWh overnight on Octopus Go) any schedulable charger is fine. Podpoint is OK for this.

 

There will be more sophisticated tariffs coming - for example https://octopus.energy/intelligent-octopus/ or Agile Octopus - where the cheap car charging period changes according to demand. for these you need a proeprly smart charger and Intelligent Octopus only  works with one for the time being. 

 

I think complex tariffs and solar compatibility are essential as different charges at different times of day will increasingly be the normand will certainly be the cheap way to go.

[jverdicchio]

doctored

Some helpful comments. What you're saying about tariff in the future makes a great deal of sense. The day rate for the intelligent-octopus is 23.76p /kWh. That is quite a bit more than I'm going to be paying with British Gas (People's Energy was my supplier until recently). If I calculate my current usage and estimates for the car and compare the Octopus costs against British Gas, British Gas wins. I'm a heavy day user of electricity - work from home with computers + several marine fish tanks (heaters + pumps) and a hot-tub. Yeah, hot-tubs are expensive to run! If got rid of the fish and the hottub then that cheap night rate would probably make sense. Actually, you make me think: I read an article about people who "store" cheap energy to use later.  I could over-heat the hottub at night on the cheap electricity, so when it's cooling down during the morning , it's actually at the correct temperature rather than cool. I think some more calculations are required. You make a good point!

[john999boy]

Couldn't you rehouse the fish into the hot tub as that might save a few quid? If you invest in the ones that 'nibble' old skin then that could be like having a body treatment too! 🐠 🐟

[AvRS]

2 hours ago, doctored said:

Depends on whether you want to use solar or a smart charging tariff in the future.

 

If you have any intention of using solar, look at a Zappi or similar. Do not get a Podpoint as they are incapable of moderating charge rate to just use your solar power.

 

If you're using a tariff that has cheaper power at a fixed time of day (I have 5p/kWh overnight on Octopus Go) any schedulable charger is fine. Podpoint is OK for this.

 

There will be more sophisticated tariffs coming - for example https://octopus.energy/intelligent-octopus/ or Agile Octopus - where the cheap car charging period changes according to demand. for these you need a proeprly smart charger and Intelligent Octopus only  works with one for the time being. 

 

I think complex tariffs and solar compatibility are essential as different charges at different times of day will increasingly be the normand will certainly be the cheap way to go.

Thanks for the info. Intelligent tariffs are definitely something I'll be interested in at some point when things normalise again and apparently Hypervolt will be adding this functionality in future. They seem the most on the ball with openness about what's coming and their goals so think I'm going to get that. Also it looks great and will please the wife.

[doctored]

No problem. We have Octopus Go at the moment at 5p cheap and 13.7ish expensive based on last June's rates. When current deals expire, given gas prices as they are, a lot of people are in for a very unpleasant shock.

With solar and battery, out electricity use is about £40/month gross including one electric car.