If you’ve bought an electric vehicle (EV) recently or are considering one, you’re not alone! According to McKinsey, if EV sales continue on their current trajectory, they are likely to account for over half of U.S. passenger vehicle sales by 2030. Having an EV charger at your home allows you to more efficiently and quickly charge your EV at home, while managing and monitoring your charging and energy usage. (Bonus: if you have solar, you can power your car with the sun!)
EvoCharge is a well-known manufacturer in the home EV charging space with two models of EV chargers that you can install. Founded in 2009, EvoCharge is a leading provider of EV home charging solutions and cable management systems in North America. In this article, we’ll cover EvoCharge’s standard electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) and the iEVSE Home chargers.
Key takeaways
EvoCharge home EV chargers generally cost between $568-$699 depending on the specific model and cable length you choose.
The EvoCharge iEVSE Home uses the EvoCharge app, which is well-reviewed by users and enables you to schedule charge times, track your electricity usage, and remotely stop and start charging.
Looking to power your EV on sunshine at home? Visit the EnergySage Marketplace to compare custom solar quotes.
What’s in this article?
What to know about EV charging at home
Before diving into EvoCharge EV chargers specifically, it’s important to understand the different levels of charging you can complete at home and how they vary. A Level 1 charger just uses a standard outlet at your home, so all you’ll need is a standard 120-volt wall outlet with a J1772 connector. However, this is very slow, only adding approximately 2-5 miles per hour to your range. An EVSE is a Level 2 charger: the standard for home EV charging. It allows you to charge much more quickly than a Level 1 charger, providing up to 32 miles of range per hour, depending on which EV you own.
Key things to know about EvoCharge’s home EV chargers
EvoCharge offers two Level 2, 240V flexible amperage home EV chargers. It comes with an 18- or 25-foot charging cable and is easy for an electrician to help you install indoors or outdoors.
Key features of EvoCharge EV chargers EVSEiEVSE Home Price (for the equipment)$568-$599$679-$699 Wiring/plug optionsWall or pedestal installation, NEMA 6-50 Plug, Removable for hardwire connection Wall or pedestal installation, NEMA 6-50 Plug, Removable for hardwire connection EV compatibilityCompatible with all EVs Compatible with all EVs Charging connectionStandard J1772 connectorStandard J1772 connector Average EV charging speedUp to 32 miles per hourUp to 32 miles per hour EV charger outputUp to 7.68 kW / 32A, adjustable down to 16A and 24A Up to 7.68 kW / 32A, adjustable down to 16A and 24A Cable length18 or 25 feet18 or 25 feet ConnectivityNon-networkedWiFi-enabled, over the air updates, App Power capabilitiesPower sharing, connectivity to an inverter/solar, etc.Power sharing, connectivity to an inverter/solar, etc. Indoor/outdoorCan be used indoors or outdoors, NEMA 4 rated Can be used indoors or outdoors, NEMA 4 rated Equipment warranty3 years3 years Additional featuresOption for longer and retracting cableOption for longer and retracting cable
Wiring and EV compatibility
The EvoCharge home EV chargers are compatible with all EV models as long as they have the capability to charge with a J1772 charge plug, which most EVs today have other than Teslas. However, Teslas do come with a J1772 adapter so you can still charge your Tesla with this common Level 2 charge plug.
Convenience
The EVSE home charger can adapt and be used with most home’s electrical systems. It can be installed against a wall or on a pedestal depending on the space you have available. It also has customizable power levels (16A and 24A) on a range of circuit breakers and is versatile enough to install either indoors or outdoors in most homes, apartments, and condo complexes. (Do keep in mind that if you live in a multi-unit complex, you will need to confirm with your HOA or complex that you can install an EV charger at your parking spot). EvoCharge also offers chargers specific to apartment and condo complexes. The EVSE’s cable is lightweight and is available in 18 or 25 foot options, providing flexibility in where you install it – whether that’s in your garage, carport, or parking garage.
You can also add extended and/or retractable options for the cable with the EvoCharge EvoReel and EV Cable Retractor. The EvoReel allows you to extend to an adjustable stop point of 22 feet with an 8 feet minimum length off the reel or 30 feet with a 16 feet min length off the reel. While these are nice add-ons, it does cost $1,320 to buy the EvoReel and $475 for the EV Cable Retractor.
If you have two EVs to charge, but don’t have enough power for multiple electrical circuits, you are also able to connect multiple EvoCharge iEVSE Home chargers to share power from one circuit while sufficiently charging your vehicles and control how much electrical load is applied to the circuit from the chargers.
Connectivity
The EvoCharge iEVSE Home smart EV charger lets you easily setup and manage your charging using your home Wi-Fi network.
Warranty
The EVSE and iEVSE Home come with a three-year equipment warranty and the EvoReel comes with a three-year warranty.
The EvoCharge app
The iEVSE Home uses the EvoCharge app, which is available on iOs or Google Play to manage and monitor your EV charging. Through the app you can manage and schedule charge times, track history and usage, manage multiple charging stations, add multiple users, estimate your charging session costs, and get easy access to technical support, if needed.
Image credit: EvoCharge
In addition to the app, there’s also a web portal for the iEVSE charger. It has all the same features as the mobile app, plus you can download charging data to an Excel file if you want to dig into your charging data.
How much do the EvoCharge home EV chargers cost?
The EvoCharge EVSE costs $568-$599 and the iEVSE Home costs $679-$699. Keep in mind that you’ll also have EV charger installation costs as you’ll want a trusted, licensed, and experienced electrician to ensure your charger is correctly installed. According to Qmerit, most standard EV home charger installations cost between $799 and $1,999 (excluding the equipment itself). Additionally, depending on your home’s electrical panel, floor plan and wiring, you may need additional wiring, which could increase your costs.
Pros and cons of the EvoCharge home EV charger
Overall, EvoCharge chargers are popular among EV drivers because of their various customizable features, such as cable length and circuit breaker amps. However, the standard model is non-networked and the charging speed is slightly slower than several competitors. ProsCons Charger unit is relatively small (the size of a standard sheet of letter-size paperThe standard EVSE model is non-networked and does not operate on WiFi Offers customizable features such as cable length and circuit breaker ampsCan be slower than other chargers, but it’s important to know what your electrical box capabilities are since that will determine charging power output as well Well-reviewed – they have one of the highest ratings among Level 2 chargers on Amazon Offers nice functionality for managing and monitoring charging
Schedule your charging for off-peak hours if you have time-of-use rates
Like many home EV chargers, the EvoCharge iEVSE Home EV charger can help you schedule and manage EV charging if you live in an area with time-of-use (TOU) or surge electricity rates. In the app, you can enter your TOU details and create a schedule to charge your EV when it costs the least.
EvoCharge charging speeds
One of the nice things about driving an EV compared to gas-powered vehicles (outside of avoiding the rising gas prices!) is that you can plug your car in overnight to charge and usually wake up to a full – or nearly full – charge. That said, the speed of your EV charger is helpful to know and consider. The EvoCharge EV home charger is capable of providing up to 32 miles of range per hour, with up to 7.68 kW / 32A output, depending on your specific EV’s make and model.
Your EvoCharge charger can charge at different speeds depending on a few factors, including:
Your home’s circuit breaker output: higher output capabilities means quicker charging
Energy use: power may be limited at certain times because of other energy use in your home – limited usage equals slower charging
The specific make, model, and options of your EV: bigger batteries will take longer to charge, efficiency varies by EV, and different EVs have different onboard charging capabilities which will impact the charging speed
The age of your EV’s battery: over time your battery will degrade and its discharge rate (battery capacity / number of hours it takes to charge) will decrease
EvoCharge offers a charging calculator for you to estimate your specific EV’s charging speed.
How to install your EvoCharge EV charger
As with any EV charger, you’ll want to get a licensed electrician to install your EvoCharge EVSE or iEVSE Home and ensure any additional supporting electrical work is covered, such as added wiring or upgrades to your electrical panel. While these can add to your cost, covering both the safety aspects and enabling long-term savings (compared to filling up a gas tank) will usually make it financially beneficial to drive and charge your EV at home. If you already have a NEMA 6-50 outlet installed, installation is as simple as mounting the bracket, sliding on the unit, and plugging it in!
EvoCharge has a network of installers by zipcode, which you can search on their website.
Is an EvoCharge EV charger right for you?
If you’re looking for a durable, easy to install and fairly priced home charger, the EvoCharge EVSE or iEVSE Home could be a good match for you. With its three-year warranty, supporting application, and customisable features, the EVSE prioritizes customization and user experience. If you’re looking for smart home features and want to manage and monitor charging with an app, you’ll want to get the iEVSE Home model. Rated five out of five by 88 percent of users on Amazon, these two models are a popular choice among EV drivers.
Power your EV with solar
There’s sometimes a misconception that home EV charging is expensive. However, it’s substantially less expensive in most areas than buying gasoline – especially if you’re using solar to power your charging. Your exact comparison depends on the cost of electricity in your area and the make and model of EV you own (since various models have different ranges).
One of the best long-term solutions to lower your home EV charging costs is to go solar. You can use the EnergySage Marketplace to compare several quotes from pre-screened installers, helping you find a system that fits your needs at the right price. If you’re planning to charge an EV at home, make sure to add a note to your profile so installers can right size your solar system to sufficiently power your EV.
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