Which features should my EV charger have?

There are different aspects that you should consider when choosing a charger for your home. First of all, you should choose the right amperage. You can learn more about the right amperage for you here.

Secondly, you should evaluate the safety and durability of the charger. Does the charger have over current, voltage, ground fault, and temperature protections? Make sure you choose a charger from a trusted vendor. Remember, you can always consult us or buy a charger recommended by Lectrium professionals.

Third, it might be of no surprise that people care about the aesthetics of a charger. While some chargers are more industrial looking, others look pretty simple. However, in most cases, a charger's exterior design does not affect its functionality and capabilities. We also recommend checking to see if your charger is water resistant and suitable for outdoor conditions, if you plan on installing your charger outdoors.

Finally, the most commonly asked question is if a dumb charger is enough or a smart charger is necessary.

What is a dumb charger?

Residential home ‘dumb’ chargers are devices used to charge a single user electric vehicle, most often belonging to the home owner. They do not require complicated user verification, customer segmentation or pricing.

These chargers can be accessed and charging can be initiated by physically plugging the charger into the car. If it is not pre-set by the vehicle, charging will start once the charger is plugged in. Such charging initiation does not require digital solutions.

A charger without digital connection that cannot be controlled via smartphone, tablet or computer and cannot be connected to a smart home application is called ‘dumb’.

What is EV smart charger?

Smart chargers are EV chargers that have an ability to be connected to the Internet through WiFi, 2G, 3G, 4G, WLAN or Bluetooth. A dumb charger is more convenient for people who do not care about charging time, charging metrics or various other information that can be gathered from a charger. However, if you want to take digital control over your charger, so that you can measure how much energy you are using or schedule specific charging times, you need a smart charger.

Logically, smart chargers are more expensive because they offer you more. They can be accessed through an app on your phone and most are compliant with Open Charging Point Protocol (OCPP). This software allows various mobile applications to connect to the smart charger and enables digital management features such as scheduled charging.

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