Electric vehicles are becoming more popular every year, as people look for greener and cheaper alternatives. But owning an electric car comes with some challenges. One of the main ones is defining the charger you should buy to charge your car at home.
Before diving further, you might be asking: can’t I just charge my car in public places? You can, but it’s not worth it. Charging at home is way more convenient, and a lot more cost-effective.
It allows you to use your own electricity supply, avoid queues and fees at public charging stations, and take advantage of off-peak tariffs.
But choosing the right home charger for your electric car can be tricky. There are many options available in the market, each with different features and prices. How do you know which one is the best for your needs?
I’m a Renault Zoe owner and this was one of the main headaches I dealt with when I bought my car. In the end, I realized that it’s a personal choice, and there is no one-size-fits-all solution. But to help you through this process, I put together a list of the 5 home chargers I recommend you take a look at.
What to Consider When Choosing a Home Charger
Before we dive into the 5 best home chargers, let’s take a look at the criteria you should consider. Pay attention to factors that affect the performance, cost, and convenience of your home charging experience. Here are some tips and recommendations to help you make an informed decision.
Installation cost
This is the cost of installing and wiring your charger. It may vary depending on the type of charger, the location, the electrician, and the grant schemes available in your area. You should compare different quotes and check if you are eligible for any subsidies or incentives before making buying.
Charging speed
This is the rate at which your charger can deliver electricity to your car. It depends on the power output of the charger, the battery size of your car, the state of charge of your battery, and the ambient temperature. Check the specifications of your charger and your car to see how long it will take to charge.
Compatibility
This is the ability of your charger to work with your car. Mostly, we’re analyzing the port type here. The Renault Zoe has a Type 2 port, so you need to make sure the charger you buy is compatible with that.
Also, make sure the cable is long enough cable to reach your car. In most cases, it’s useful to be at least 5 meters long.
Safety
This is the level of protection that your charger offers against electrical hazards. These can include overloading, overheating, short-circuiting, and water damage.
Check if your charger has any safety features, such as fuses, circuit breakers, temperature sensors, and water-resistant casings. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions and maintenance guidelines to ensure safe operation.
Warranty
This is the period of time that your charger is covered by the manufacturer’s guarantee. You should check how long your warranty lasts (usually between 1 and 3 years) and what it covers (usually parts and labor). Remember to keep your receipt in case you need to make a claim.
Tips and Recommendations When Choosing a Home Charger
Here are some general tips and recommendations for choosing a home charger:
- There is no single best home charger for everyone. You should select a charger that matches your budget, lifestyle, and expectations. For example, if you want a fast and reliable charger, you may opt for a wall-mounted charger. But if you want a flexible and portable charger, you may opt for a portable one.
- Not all chargers are compatible with all cars. You should choose a charger that has the right connector, cable, and software for your car. For example, if you have a Renault Zoe, you should choose a charger that has a Type 2 connector. Also, opt for a long enough cable, and a smart feature that can communicate with your car.
- Not all chargers are safe and certified. You should choose a charger that has the necessary safety features, certifications, and accreditations. For example, you should look for chargers that have CE marking, OLEV approval, IP rating, and UL listing.
- Not all chargers are easy to install and use. Select a charger that has clear instructions, simple controls, and user-friendly interfaces.
The 5 Best Home Chargers For A Renault Zoe In 2023
After considering the criteria for choosing a home charger, I selected what I believe are the 5 best home chargers for the Renault Zoe in 2023:
• Project EV Smart Electric Vehicle Car Charger
• Wallbox Charger Pulsar Plus
• Morec EV Charging Station 32A
• K.H.O.N.S. Type 2 Portable EV Charger
• TTLIFE Electric Vehicle Portable Charger Type 2
Let’s take a closer look at each of these chargers and see what they have to offer.
Project EV Smart Electric Vehicle Car Charger
Are you looking for a smart and versatile home charger? You might want to consider the Project EV Smart Electric Vehicle Car Charger.
It is compatible with all electric vehicles that use a Type 2 connector, like the Renault Zoe. It can deliver up to 7.3 kW of power, which means it can completely charge your Zoe in about 6 hours.
The Project EV charger has some impressive features that make it stand out.
For example, it has a Pro Earth system that eliminates the need for an extra earth spike, saving you installation costs and hassle. It also works with solar panels, allowing you to charge your Zoe with green energy generated by your own solar system.
It allows you to lock your charging cable to the charger and your vehicle, ensuring security and protection.
Another advantage of the Project EV charger is that it has dynamic load balancing. So, it can adjust the power output according to the demand of your household appliances. This way, you can avoid overloading your circuit or tripping your fuse.
You can also control your charger with the free Project EV app. It lets you customize charging rates, prioritize off-peak charging, and create charging records.
The Project EV charger is not the cheapest option on the market. Still, it offers great value for money considering its features and performance. It is also backed by a 3-year warranty and has a sleek and durable design. If you want a smart and reliable home charger for your Renault Zoe, the Project EV charger might be the one for you.
Wallbox Charger Pulsar Plus
Another interesting option is the Wallbox Charger Pulsar Plus.
This charger is compatible with all electric vehicles that use a Type 2 connector. It can deliver up to 22 kW of power, fully charging your Zoe in about 2 hours, at an impressive speed.
The Wallbox Charger Pulsar Plus has a sleek and durable design. It has a 5-meter-long cable that gives you the flexibility to park your Zoe anywhere. It also has a LED ring that shows you the charging status and power level.
One of the main features of this charger is that it supports Wi-Fi connectivity. This way, you can monitor your charger with the myWallbox app.
You can also use voice control with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. Simply speak to start and stop the charging or check the status.
Similarly to other chargers, it allows you to schedule your charging sessions. This way, you can take advantage of off-peak energy rates and save money.
Another advantage is that it supports power sharing and power boost features. Power sharing lets you distribute the available power among multiple Wallbox chargers. Power boost allows you to use the surplus energy from your solar panels or adjust the power output according to the demand of your household appliances.
The Wallbox Charger Pulsar Plus is not the cheapest option on the market. But you can be sure it offers great value for money. Also, it is certified for water and dust resistance with IP54 and IK08 ratings. Finally, it comes with a 3-year warranty.
If you want a compact and efficient home charger for your Renault Zoe, this is a great choice.
Morec EV Charging Station 32A
Let’s look at the Morec EV Charging Station 32A. Like the others, this charger is compatible with all electric vehicles that use a Type 2 connector. It delivers up to 7.2 kW of power, fully charging your Zoe in about 6 hours.
This is a portable and compact charger that comes with a NEMA 14–50 plug, which can be used in your garage or house. It has a 7.5-meter-long cable, that provides great flexibility for parking. It also has a LED display that shows you the charging status, current, voltage, temperature, and power.
One of its main features is that it supports app control. You can remotely start and stop the charging, set the charging time, monitor the charging data, and adjust the current from 6A to 32A. You can also use the app to scan the QR code on the charger and get online customer service.
The Morec EV Charging Station 32A is a relatively affordable and easy-to-use charger. It has several protection functions, such as overvoltage, overcurrent, overtemperature, leakage, short circuit, and lightning protection.
It also has a waterproof and dustproof rating of IP66. Therefore, it can withstand harsh weather conditions.
If you want a simple and smart home charger for your Renault Zoe, the Morec EV Charging Station 32A is a good choice.
K.H.O.N.S. Type 2 Portable EV Charger
A fourth option for a home charger is the K.H.O.N.S. Type 2 Portable EV Charger. This charger can deliver up to 7.2 kW of power, which means a full Zoe charge in about 6 hours.
The K.H.O.N.S. Type 2 Portable EV Charger is a lightweight and compact charger that comes with a NEMA 14–50 plug, which can be used in your garage or house. It has a 5-meter-long cable, long enough to give you flexibility when parking.
One of the main features of this charger is that it supports adjustable current. It allows you to choose from 10A, 16A, 20A, 24A, and 32A according to your needs and preferences. You can also use the button on the charger to switch between different current levels. This way, you can optimize the charging speed and efficiency.
This is a relatively inexpensive charger that, despite its price, offers many protection functions. These include overvoltage, overcurrent, overtemperature, leakage, short circuit, and lightning protection. As the Morec charger we’ve seen above, it t also has a waterproof and dustproof rating of IP66.
The K.H.O.N.S. Type 2 Portable EV Charger might be a good choice for you if you’re looking for efficiency and flexibility at an affordable price.
TTLIFE Electric Vehicle Portable Charger Type 2
Finally, let’s analyze the TTLIFE Electric Vehicle Portable Charger Type 2. It delivers up to 7.2 kW of power, completely charging your Zoe in about 6 hours — very much like the ones we’ve seen above.
The TTLIFE Electric Vehicle Portable Charger Type 2 comes with a CEE plug, which you can use in your garage. It has a 5-meter-long cable and a digital screen that shows you the charging status, current, voltage, and power.
One of the main features of this charger is that it supports controllable current. This way, you can choose from 10A, 16A, 20A, 24A, and 32A.
The TTLIFE Electric Vehicle Portable Charger Type 2 comes at a relatively low price. Like the ones we’ve seen previously, it has multiple protection functions, as well as a waterproof rating of IP67.
Do you privilege simplicity and flexibility? The TTLIFE Electric Vehicle Portable Charger Type 2 might be the charger you’re looking for.
My Choice: GreenUp Socket
A GreenUp socket is similar to a regular socket, but it has a higher amperage, making it tailored to charge electric vehicles.
After reviewing all these chargers, you might be wondering what was my choice. It was none of the above. I went for a GreenUp socket, which is not a charger per se.
A GreenUp Socket is a specialized socket used only for electric vehicles. It has a higher amperage capacity than standard sockets, which enables faster charging times and provides a dedicated power supply for the vehicle.
The reason I chose this solution is related to a point mentioned above: you need to assess the capacity of the electric installation in your home. The power that reaches my garage was relatively low, and there was no way to increase it. Paying for a charger that I wouldn’t benefit from didn’t seem like a smart idea.
A GreenUp socket is cheaper than all the chargers we reviewed, and it does the job as well as a charger would do considering the electric power in my garage.
But there are two downsides to this solution. The most significant one is that this socket doesn’t allow setting up charging times. I can program in the car the time I want it to start charging but it will only stop when I go to the car and unplug it. There is no way to do it remotely. The other downside is that it takes a longer time to charge the car, around 10 hours. If you usually charge overnight, this is not really an issue. But it can be challenging if you need to quickly charge your Zoe on short notice.
Installation and Setup
Installing a home charger for your Renault Zoe doesn’t necessarily need to be a complicated process. But it requires some planning and preparation. Here are some steps and tips to guide you through it:
- As mentioned above, choose the right charger for your needs and preferences.
- Make sure your home’s electrical system can support the charger. Most chargers require a dedicated circuit and outlet, which may need to be installed by a qualified electrician. You also need to have your own Wi-Fi connection, off-street parking, and permission from your landlord if you are renting.
- Find a reputable and certified installer who can safely install the charger for you. You can contact your dealer, energy supplier, or charger company to arrange the installation. The installer will survey your property, choose the best location for the charger, fix it to the wall, connect it to the power supply and Wi-Fi network, and test it with your car.
- Set up and configure your charger to ensure optimal performance and safety. You can use the charger app to control it remotely, schedule charging sessions, and access energy management features.
Conclusion
Selecting the right home charger for your Renault Zoe is a crucial step to making the most of your electric car. A home charger can offer you convenience and savings, as well as faster and safer charging.
Before you buy a home charger, assess your needs and preferences. For example, how often and how fast you want to charge your car? How much you are willing to spend, and what features you are looking for?
Very importantly, also check if your home’s electrical system can support the charger.
In this article, we have reviewed five of the best home chargers for the Renault Zoe in 2023. These included Project EV Smart Electric Vehicle Car Charger, Wallbox Charger Pulsar Plus, Morec EV Charging Station 32A, K.H.O.N.S. Type 2 Portable EV Charger, and TTLIFE Electric Vehicle Portable Charger Type 2.
I encourage you to do further research on these chargers and compare them with other models on the market. That way, you’ll make sure to find the one that suits you best.
Once you’ve decided on the charger, I invite you to read our other articles. We share all the tips and tricks to effectively and safely charge your Renault Zoe!