Intelligent Wallbox

Smart EV charger - Why a good choice?

Using a smart charging station is not only good for the environment, it can also be very cost-effective. This is because many smart charge posts have various green features that ensure you get the most out of your energy use. These include features such as Load Balancing, a link to your solar panels and charging with a dynamic energy contract.

As we live in a world, where sustainability is becoming increasingly important, the range of smart charging stations is growing. Yet there are big differences in features and there are certain brands that approach this trend differently. Below, we will elaborate on the benefits of a smart wallbox and their current offerings.

People often choose a smart home charging station because:

• Cost-saving
• Sustainability
• Future-oriented

Smart EV charger for home

Smart charge posts are a good investment for business, but a smart charge post can also be of great importance at home. As described above, a smart charge post for home includes features that can make you save energy and costs. This can be done, for example, with charge posts that feature Load Balancing. In total, there are two different types of Load Balancing, namely:

• Manual Load Balancing
• Dynamic Load Balancing

Below, all two forms of Load Balancing will be discussed individually.

It will also go further on the benefits of a dynamic energy contract.

Manual Load Balancing

Manual Load Balancing allows you to set the power of your charging station yourself, manually. With many brands, this can be set via a free downloadable app, or via a display on the charge post, if present. Setting the charging power manually, can be useful when appliances connected to electricity are used a lot in the home. Lowering the power level manually then ensures that the charging station does not consume too much power.

Dynamic load balancing

Dynamic Load Balancing is actually the more luxurious variant of Manual Load Balancing. Using a CT clamp, your charge post connects to your energy network and automatically takes into account the power consumption in your home. There is no need to manually set a power level for this. Load Balancing prevents overloading the grid and thus also prevents fire hazards.

Dynamic energy contract

Only a few smart charging stations in our range have this feature. Charging in combination with a dynamic energy contract, can ensure a big drop in your energy bill. This is because smart charging stations with this feature ensure that the charging station charges your car when the electricity is cheapest. This is usually during off-peak hours. So you can benefit enormously from a smart charging station when you have a dynamic energy contract.

Linking with solar energy

The last feature of smart charge posts is the coupling with solar energy. This function is only applicable if you have your own solar panels. The coupling per smart charge post is different. Many brands supply the smart charge post in combination with a sensor box or other modules, which can be connected directly to the P1 port. In addition, this connection is also often made via one or more CT terminals.

Popular smart EV chargers

The six most popular smart charge posts of the moment will be highlighted below. All charging posts have different features.

Myenergi Zappi V2.1

The Myenergi Zappi V2.1 is the most comprehensive smart charging station in our current range. This smart charge post has all the above features and is therefore very future-oriented. Within our product range, we offer this charge post in black and white in the 7.4 and 22 kW variants. In addition to all these smart functions, the Zappi now also features the new OCCP 1.6J backend system. This communication system allows charging sessions to be charged for business purposes via a backend system of your choice.
The Zappi also features a 3-year warranty.

Ratio Solar

Like the Zappi, the Ratio Solaris also equipped with all the smart features within the world of smart charging stations. It comes with a sensor box and 3 ct terminals, which take care of Dynamic Load Balancing and solar panel coupling. Besides the sensor box, the Ratio Solar can also be used in combination with your dynamic energy contract. Ratio is a Dutch brand and thus offers European A-quality, with a 5-year warranty on all charge posts.

Easee Charge Core

The Easee Charge Core is the most new charging station within Easee's range. While the charging station looks similar to its predecessors in terms of appearance, inside it is certainly different. With its 22 kW charging capacity, the Core features a higher output, making it fit for the future. The Charge Core does not have most smart features as standard, though some are optional with the Easee Equaliser. The Equaliser connects to the Charge Core via the P1 port, offering Dynamic Load Balancing and a link to your own solar energy. Linking to a dynamic energy contract is unfortunately not possible. The Easee Charge Core is now available in combination with the equaliser in a combi deal.

Raedian NEO

The Raedian NEO is one of the new charging stations in our range. The NEO is one of three Raedian charging stations within our current range and is known for its compact and lightweight design. The smart charging station features a charging capacity of 22kW, an LED display and a MID meter, which also allows business settlement. Like the Easee, the charging station does not have Dynamic Load Balancing and a solar panel coupler as standard. This is optional, with the CT-Kit from Raedian.

Smappee EV One Home

Like the Raedian, the Smappee EV One Home is a fairly new charging station in our range. This smart charging station has a charging capacity of 22 kW and is known for its modern and sleek design. Whereas all the above mentioned smart charging stations and wallboxes are, this EV One Home is only suitable to be ground-mounted.
The Smappee EV One Home has all the smart features included in the Smappee Infinity package. This package consists of about three modules, all of which need to be connected in the meter box. From the free Smappee app, it is then possible to analyse all the data.

Zaptec Pro

The Zaptec Pro is a smart charging station that has been available within our range for some time now. Like the models above, it has a charging capacity of 22 kW and a type 2 plug. Dynamic Load Balancing can optionally be purchased via the Tibber Pulse, which can be connected to the charge post via the P1 port. What makes this charging station smart is that it prepares for the future. In fact, the Zaptec Pro is the only charge post in our range that will feature bidirectional charging in the future. With bi-directional charging, you can also use your car as an energy source for your household. That means you supply power back from your car, via the charging station. Currently, this is not yet possible, but it will come in the future through an update from Zaptec.

Why you should buy a smart EV charger

Smart charge posts are ideal for all households and/or businesses. With smart charging stations, together we make the world more sustainable and greener. In addition, a smart charge post can also be enormously cost-saving. Think, for example, of the link with solar panels and the link with your dynamic energy contract.
At Wallbox Discounter, we offer charging stations of the highest quality, supported by the best service. If you have any questions about smart charging stations, our charging station specialists are at your service.