Top EV Chargers in Australia: A Comprehensive Comparison
It may only be a matter of time before getting your own EV charger becomes an undeniable necessity. Convenience on the road using sustainable resources, after all, is modern transportation’s combined goal and purpose. But with several options seemingly good enough to do the job, how to choose the best home EV charger so that your vehicle is always on the go?
In this guide, we’re comparing EV chargers in Australia to help you make an informed decision, highlighting every brand’s features and benefits to suit various needs.
What is an EV Charger?
An electric vehicle (EV) works by relying on batteries and electric motors for power, hence, it is capable of being charged from an external source. If there’s a battery, then there’s a device that’s meant for charging, which is what an EV charger does exactly — supplying electricity to charge an EV’s battery.
There are three types of EV chargers: Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 (DC Fast Chargers).
Level 1 Chargers
Level 1 chargers come with most electric cars so they don’t require any special installation. While they’re portable, you can’t rely on them for regular use, mainly because they’re slow and not as efficient.
They’re usually ideal for overnight charging because it takes that long to deliver a fully charged EV. If you need your EV charger to match your busy and active routine, a Level 1 charger is only bound to give you unnecessary anxiety.
Level 2 Chargers
Level 2 chargers, clearly, are a faster and more efficient alternative to Level 1 charging options. They’re often used for home installations or semi-public places like offices. It can take about 4 to 10 hours to fully charge your EV with a Level 2 charger, depending on factors like your car’s battery size, the EV’s charging rate, and the weather.
But unlike Level 1 chargers, Level 2 options are not portable and require a dedicated circuit, which entails the need for a professional installation.
Level 3 Chargers (DC Fast Charging)
The fastest charging option of all, a Level 3 charger uses direct current (DC) supply as its power source, which explains its quick charging speed. Because they’re very expensive to install, you can usually find them in public charging stations. Substantial costs aside, charging publicly needs to be faster since everyone is on the go, hence, the use of DC Fast Chargers.
But while most Level 3 chargers provide an 80% charge in only a matter of 30 minutes, it’s not recommended to rely on this fast level of charging often. If you do, you’re potentially reducing your EV battery’s lifespan and maybe even inflicting some damage.
Level 3 chargers are great for long distance travels, but for the most part, it’s safer to rely on Level 1 and Level 2 chargers for your regular charging needs.
What are the Best EV Chargers in Australia?
The use of electric vehicles is obviously on the rise, increasing the demand for a reliable and efficient EV charger. If you need the convenience and flexibility guaranteed by having your own, then the next step is to explore your options, filtering among the best EV chargers in Australia to find the right one.
Tesla Wall Connector
The Tesla Wall Connector offers several benefits to justify its steep price tag, including its fast charging rate. If you drive a Tesla car, the Wall Connector provides up to 71 km of range per hour of charge. The Wall Connector is also compatible with non-Tesla vehicles and can adapt to most home’s electrical systems via Power Management features, plus a Power Share feature for charging multiple cars simultaneously.
For greater convenience, you can monitor and manage your device online via the Tesla app. Tesla also allows owners to restrict charging access using the Charging Access Control feature. This gives you complete control over which vehicles could use your Wall Connector for charging EVs. In terms of warranty, Tesla’s device comes with a two-year warranty for residential use.
In Australia, you can either get the Tesla Gen 3 Wall Connector (Single Phase) delivering up to 7.4 kW of power output with a single-phase design ideal for most residential applications, or the Tesla Wall Connector (Three Phase) variation boasting a great deal of 22 kW output for faster charging in busier environments. The Wall Connector also boasts a versatile design that makes it applicable for both indoor and outdoor installation.
Myenergi Zappi
The Zappi is a British-made EV charger from Myenergi highly favoured for its smart, unique feature that takes your sustainability efforts to the next level. It’s because the Zappi is designed to work with all solar PV systems and wind turbines, giving EV owners a more eco-friendly way to charge at home. If you don’t have solar panels, the Zappi can still function as a standard charger by using power from the grid.
Speaking of modes, Zappi has three: ECO, ECO+, and FAST. ECO combines grid and renewable energy from your existing renewable energy sources, for instance a solar PV system. ECO+ is the greenest option as it only uses renewable energy available. It can result in slower charging time because it stops charging in the absence of excess energy.
The FAST mode, on the other hand, is designed to charge your EV as fast as possible using both grid and green energy. With different modes to choose from, it’s easy to customise your charging based on your current needs. It also comes with a three-year warranty.
GoodWe HCA Series
The GoodWe HCA Series stands out for offering cost-effective charging solutions in Australia. EV chargers under the HCA Series also allow solar integration and smart monitoring, just like Tesla and Zappi. When you pair your GoodWe EV charger with your existing PV and energy storage systems, you can charge your electric car for free using 100% energy entirely from your solar power system.
EV chargers from GoodWe are also known to be durable with flexible installation options. To monitor and control your EV charging using a single app, the HCA Series EV charger integrates seamlessly with GoodWe’s monitoring platform SEMS. It has a slightly higher Ingress Protection (IP) rating currently at IP66, meaning it’s more durable to withstand external elements like harsh weather conditions.
Also available in both Single Phase and Three Phase, the GoodWe HCA Series EV charger offers a two-year warranty.
Fronius Wattpilot
EV chargers from Fronius are known for their smart charging capacities to increase your use of renewable energy. It does so by using available excess solar energy for charging, then seamlessly switching to mains power when required. This ensures you’re efficiently charging your EV without disrupting your solar PV system powering your home.
The Fronius Wattpilot offers two charging modes: Eco and Next Trip. The Eco Mode is ideal for those who want to charge their EVs the cheaper and sustainable way. When activated, it prioritises sustainable charging by using surplus solar energy.
The Next Trip Mode, meanwhile, allows users to charge their EVs to cover a specific distance or time. If there’s a particular journey that’s extremely important, you can use this mode to ensure your EV is adequately charged to make the trip. This mode also uses surplus solar power, allowing you to charge your EV sustainably while giving you peace of mind knowing that you’re all set for your next big adventure.
Wattpilot is considered one of the best EV chargers in Australia because apart from the features discussed above, it also offers user-friendly control, seamless integration with your existing solar power system, compatibility with all electric cars, and a two-year replacement warranty.
EV Charger Installation in Australia
The best home EV charger in Australia still requires professional installation for guaranteed safety and efficiency. This is exactly what our team at Volteam Electric delivers with EV charger installation being a major part of our sustainable solutions across parts of Queensland, from Strathpine to Logan City.
For professional installations of home EV chargers, contact us at 1300 865 832 or request a free quote online.
