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’re 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, while managing and monitoring your charging and energy usage. (Bonus: if you have solar, you can power your car with the sun!)
United Chargers is a Canadian electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) company that creates options for both home and commercial use. Originally founded as a software company in 2001, United Charger just began focusing on EVSE research, development, and manufacturing in 2019. In early 2020, they launched their popular Grizzl-E line of EV chargers – in this article, we’ll cover this line, including the Grizzl-E Classic, Smart, and Duo models.
Key takeaways
Grizzl-E home EV chargers generally cost between $459 and $899 depending on the specific model.
Grizzl-E focuses on providing high-quality economical charging solutions, offering three main Level 2 EV chargers.
The Grizzl-E Smart home EV charger connects to Wi-Fi and provides monitoring and management through the ChargeLab app on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.
Looking to power your EV with the sun? 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 Grizzl-E home EV chargers specifically, it’s important to understand the different levels of home charging and how they vary. A Level 1 charger is just using a standard outlet at your home. To use this type of charger, you just use a standard 120-volt (V) wall outlet with a J1772 connector. However, Level 1 charging is very slow, only adding approximately 2-5 miles per hour to your range. A Grizzl-E home EV charger 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 30 miles of range per hour, depending on which EV you own. Level 2 charging is done with a 240V circuit, similar to what you use to power an electric oven or dryer.
Key things to know about Grizzl-E home EV chargers
Grizzl-E offers three main different home EV chargers: Classic, Smart, and Duo. The main difference between them is that the Classic is the standard charger, the Grizzl-E Smart charger connects to Wi-Fi and can be managed with an app, and the Duo enables you to charge two EVs at the same time on one circuit.
Key features of Grizzl-E home EV chargers Grizzl-E ClassicGrizzl-E SmartGrizzl-E Duo Price (for the equipment)3-year warranty: $459 5-year warranty: $5593-year warranty: $539 5-year warranty: $659$899 Wiring/plug optionsPlug in (NEMA 14-50 or NEMA 6-50), wall-mountedPlug in (NEMA 14-50 or NEMA 6-50), wall-mountedPlug in (NEMA 14-50 or NEMA 6-50), wall-mounted EV compatibilityCompatible with all EVs; Teslas just need an adapterCompatible with all EVs; Teslas just need an adapterCompatible with all EVs; Teslas just need an adapter Charging connectionStandard J1772 connectorStandard J1772 connectorTwo standard J1772 connectors Average EV charging speed28-30 miles per hour28-30 miles per hour28-30 miles per hour EV charger outputUp to 10 kW / 40A, can also be configured to 16A, 24A, or 32AUp to 10 kW / 40A, can also be configured to 16A, 24A, or 32AUp to 10 kW / 40A to one vehicle Cable length24 feet24 feetTwo 24 feet cables ConnectivityNoneWi-Fi connected, works with ChargeLab appNone Power capabilitiesNoneNoneDynamic power-sharing between two vehicles Indoor/outdoorUsable both indoors and outdoors with NEMA 4 aluminum enclosure that’s water and fire resistant (works from -22 F to 122 F)Usable both indoors and outdoors with NEMA 4 aluminum enclosure that’s water and fire resistant (works from -22 F to 122 F)Usable both indoors and outdoors with NEMA 4 aluminum enclosure that’s water and fire resistant (works from -22 F to 122 F) Equipment warranty3 - 5 years, pay an additional upfront amount to get the 5-year warranty3 - 5 years, pay an additional upfront amount to get the 5-year warranty3 years Additional featuresUL Tested and Certified, available in Extreme Edition (camouflage) and Avalanche Edition (white)UL Tested and Certified, works on open-source software platform to connect to a growing number of appsUL Tested and Certified
Wiring and EV compatibility
The Grizzl-E EV home 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 Grizzl-E EV home charger is adaptable and can be used with most home electrical systems. It also has customizable power output levels, though unlike most other home EV chargers you’ll need to remove the front cover of the charger and adjust the DIP switches – the series of switches in a single unite – inside manually. When you order your Grizzl-E EV charger, you can specify the power output setting (16A, 24A, 32A, or 40A) that you want it set to initially.
This Canadian-based manufacturer also has built and tested their chargers for extreme conditions, so these are 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). The Grizzl-E’s cable is lightweight and 24 feet long, providing flexibility in where you install it – whether that’s in your garage, carport, or parking garage.
Connectivity
While the Grizzl-E Classic and Duo chargers don’t have any Wi-Fi capabilities, the Grizzl-E Smart home EV charger connects to Wi-Fi so you can manage and monitor charging via an app.
Warranty
The Grizzl-E home EV chargers come with either a 3-year or 5-year equipment warranty (depending on what you select) to protect you against defective equipment. Some specifics on the Grizzl-E warranty include:
Refurbished Grizzl-E chargers purchased from their website come with a 3-year replacement warranty.
The Grizzl-E Duo chargers aren’t available with a 5-year warranty.
For most Grizzl-E chargers, you can select the warranty length (3 or 5 years) when you purchase your Grizzl-E charger.
Adding on two years to get the 5-year warranty costs approximately $100 more than purchasing the chargers with a 3-year warranty.
United Chargers also covers shipping and handling expenses for both the replacement unit and the defective unit.
The ChargeLab app
Unlike many other home EV chargers, there is not a Grizzl-E specific app to use. They promote that it can work with any OCPP 1.6j application. Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP) is an open-source communication protocol for networked electric vehicle chargers. This means that the Grizzl-E Smart is able to work with any charger management software that uses these protocols to direct Smart Charging, so they’re planning to roll out additional verified network providers over time.
Currently, there’s one app available for download: the ChargeLab app, which is available on the Apple Store or Google Play Store and allows you to set charging schedules and participate in various utility-backed EV charging programs.
Image source: Grizzl-E website
Additional Grizzl-E home EV charger features
The Grizzl-E website also notes an additional option will be available soon: a Grizzl-E Mini, designed as a compact, portable EV charger for at home and on the go (pricing information is not yet available).
Refurbished Grizzl-E chargers are also available on their website (though availability may change over time). These are thoroughly tested and have the latest firmware. The charger is in perfect operating condition but may show very minor signs of wear.
How much do Grizzl-E home EV chargers cost?
The Grizzl-E chargers cost between $459 and $899. They do also currently have refurbished options available on their website for $369.
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 so your costs may increase.
Pros and cons of Grizzl-E home EV chargers
Overall, the Grizzl-E home EV charger is a good value for the price, so many EV drivers and industry experts recommend buying it. The chargers do have some limitations, especially when it comes to smart functionality, though. ProsCons Durable, heavy duty charger that can withstand harsh elementsSome other home EV chargers offer more power output (above the 40A for the Grizzl-E chargers) The classic version is available in a few color options (black, white, and camouflage)Unless you get the Grizzl-E Smart, you won’t have any connectivity or an app to manage charging Simple to use and generally rated highly compared to other home EV chargers Some reviews on both the Apple and Google Play Stores mention bugs and issues with the ChargeLab app that the Grizzl-E smart charger uses
Schedule your charging for off-peak hours if you have time-of-use rates
If you get the Grizzl-E Smart home EV charger, the ChargeLab app can help you manage and monitor your charging if you live in an area with time-of-use (TOU) or surge electricity rates. In the ChargeLab app, you schedule charging to happen when your electricity costs the least.
Grizzl-E 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 Grizzl-E EV home charger is capable of providing up to 28-30 miles of range per hour of charge on average, with up to 10 kW / 40A output, depending on your specific EV’s make and model.
Your Grizzl-E charger can charge at different speeds depending on a few factors, including:
Which power output setting you select and use (16A, 24A, 32A, or 40A)
The home charger model you select, which is usually based on your home’s circuit breaker or service panel capacity: higher output capabilities generally means quicker charging
Your 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 slightly and its discharge rate (battery capacity / number of hours it takes to charge) will decrease
How to install your Grizzl-E home EV charger
As with any EV charger, you’ll often want to get a licensed electrician to help install your Grizzl-E charger 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.
Grizzl-E does note on their website that since this charger is a plug-in, you can just install a simple 14-50R outlet and plug in your Grizzl-E charger. But, depending on your home’s electrical system, you may still want to consult a licensed electrician for safety. You can work with a trusted electrician near you or find a trusted installer in your area through Qmerit.
Is a Grizzl-E home EV charger right for you?
If you’re looking for a simple, durable home EV charger, the Grizzl-E might be a good fit for you. While they don’t include all the features that some other smart EV chargers offer (such as connecting to solar and overall home energy management), you will get a tested and well-reviewed charger to keep your EV charged up at home.
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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