What is a Smart EV Charger?

Intelligent EV Chargers

However, being smart as far as electric vehicle charging is concerned, is far more than just the ability to connect to the internet.

The new smart charge point regulations which will come into play at the end of June 2022, consulted on by myenergi, defines exactly what it means to be a smart EV charger.

Smart EV chargers ultimately have features that release pressure from the grid system, including Default off-peak charging, random delay at the start of a charge.

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What kWh car charger do I need at home?

Most UK homes have a single phase AC supply and the maximum rate you can charge at on a single phase is 7kWh. Therefore, 7kWh chargers are most commonly used for domestic home charging.

Some modern developments are now feeding an AC three phase supply. If your premises does have a three phase supply, you can benefit from faster charger speeds and therefore could opt for a 22kWh charger.

Therefore, 22kW chargers are most commonly used on smaller commercial premises, workplace or modern developments. However, some EV’s are only setup to pull 7kWh on an AC supply and therefore not all vehicles can charge at these higher rates of charge (on AC), so it’s worth checking if your vehicle can handle 22kWh charges. (not to be confused with public charge points, which charge on DC – all EV’s will charge at faster DC charging rates)

That being said, you wouldn’t do any damage plugging into a 22kWh AC charger, instead your vehicle would simply revert to charging at the slower 7kWh rates. In this circumstance, opting for a 22kWh might purely future proof you for when you do opt for a vehicle which doe’s accept these rates of charge.

Public chargers (known as rapid chargers) are usually DC and charge at much faster rates, often between 50kWh – 150kWh, although, usually for a much higher cost. Public rapid chargers found in numerous public locations are totally different kettle of fish and are usually tens of thousands of pounds in comparison to commercial fast chargers or home EV chargers which are fraction of the price. It is equally not possible for domestic properties to have DC chargers as there is not enough power and homes in the UK are on an AC supply, so they don’t meet the required legislation.

What is a smart EV charger?

A Truly Smart EV charger considers the integration with future technologies and relieves pressure from our electricity grid…

Smart EV chargers in their simplest form are chargers which can be connected to the internet. The main purpose of this connection is to ensure that the device can be updated with firmware, especially as new software and technologies are released into the market, which may need to connect to the device. Ultimately being smart, is future-proofing the device so that it doesn’t become defunct years down the line.

However, being smart as far as electric vehicle charging is concerned, is far more than just the ability to connect to the internet. The new smart charge point regulations which will come into play at the end of June 2022, consulted on by myenergi, defines exactly what it means to be a smart EV charger.

Smart EV chargers ultimately have features that release pressure from the grid system, including Default off-peak charging, random delay at the start of a charge.

However, a truly intelligent smart EV charger will also have the ability to integrate with other renewable energy sources such as solar panels, domestic wind turbines, battery storage and work harmoniously with elements such as air source heat pumps and wider renewable energy technologies around the building.

Other factors such as how it can save customers money through integration with time of use tariffs and economy tariffs should also be considered when selecting a smart charger.

zappi is a popular choice for those looking for a truly intelligent smart charger as it ticks all the boxes of what is considered a smart charger. zappi has been carefully designed to include several features and functions to give users complete control of their electric car charging experience, such as the ability to utilise time of use and economy tariffs, allowing users to schedule chargers at times when energy tariffs are at their lowest, thus encouraging energy consciousness.

Not only does myenergi design their products for the complete user-friendly experience but equally with the installation process in mind. Reducing face fix cabling and the need to reduce disruption to existing buildings was an important factor in the product design process.

Accessories such as the, harvi product is an energy monitor which transmits import / export data to the other myenergi devices every 1 second completely wirelessly and negates the need to run wired CT clamps between devices.

Which EV charger is right for me?

Untethered chargers

Untethered chargers come without a cable attached and instead you’d use your own cable, which is often supplied with the EV.

The main advantages with untethered chargers are : –

• Those with Type 1 vehicles would require a special Type 1 to Type 2 cable so would tend to opt for an untethered unit

• If you required a custom length cable, e.g. needed a 12m cable between the charger and the vehicle. (tethered units come with a 6.5m cable attached)

• They are aesthetically neater, subject to opinion

Tethered chargers

Tethered chargers come with a cable attached to the unit which cannot be detached. The cable has a Type 2 plug attached which has become the worldwide industry standard and is suitable for all modern EV’s. (excluding a handful of early Type 1 models, hence if you have Type 1 you should choose the untethered unit)

The main advantages with untethered chargers are : –

• Convenience is the biggest benefit for choosing a tethered unit, negating the need to keep unpacking and packing away your detachable lead each time.

7kWh chargers

7kWh chargers are the most common charger for a home charging station and would be the most suitable recommendation for existing residential properties and most new builds with a single phase supply.

22kWh chargers

22kWh chargers are the most common charger for smaller commercial and workplace charging properties with a three phase supply. However, some modern homes, especially new developments can opt for a 22kW charger if there is a three phase supply to the property.

What is fast car charging?

Fast car chargers are ultimately EV chargers which charge at rates between 7kWh – 22kWh AC. The process simply involves putting more electricity into your car’s battery at a faster rate. Where a typical 3 pin 13amp plug socket in the home would charge at the rate of 2.3kWh, fast chargers charge at more than three times the speed. 22kWh in comparison charge at more than nine times the speed.

• 2.3kWh 3 pin plug socket (known as granny charging) – would take around 24 hours on average to fully charge from 0 – 100% (dependent on vehicle – note most Hybrids have very small batteries when compared to full EV’s)

• 3.5kWh chargers (know as slow chargers) – would take around 16 hours on average to fully charge from 0 – 100% (dependent on vehicle – note most Hybrids have very small batteries when compared to full EV’s)

• 7kWh chargers (known as fast chargers) – would take around 8 hours on average to fully charge from 0 – 100% (dependent on vehicle)

• 22kWh chargers (known as fast chargers) – would take around 3-4 hours on average to fully charge from 0 – 100% (dependent on vehicle)

Fast chargers are not to be confused with rapid chargers or super chargers, which are the types of charger you’d use on longer journeys when you require a full charge in less than an hour.

How do I get an EV charger installed?

Getting a zappi smart ev charger installed at your home couldn’t be simpler.

At myenergi we pride ourselves on providing our customers with the highest quality, UK made, EV home chargers. It’s only natural that we want to ensure our customers get the best experience when looking to get their zappi installed.

That is why we have personally handpicked some of the best myenergi approved and trained installers in our network. So, now, getting a quote for buying a fully installed zappi home charger couldn’t be simpler.

Get a fully installed quote