Emporia EV Charger Review

Key Specifications

The Emporia EV Charger stands out in the budget segment with impressive technical capabilities. The unit offers adjustable output from 6 to 48 amps, delivering between 1.4 and 11.5 kW of charging power. This places it among the most powerful home charging options available, ranking up amongst more top-of-the-line EV chargers on the market today.

Design and Build Quality

The charger features a straightforward, functional design with a 24-foot cable that provides excellent reach across any garage. An included wall mount helps with cable management, though it’s not as elegant as some premium solutions. The NEMA 4 weather resistance rating actually surpasses many more expensive competitors like the Chargepoint Home Flex, making it suitable for both indoor and outdoor installation.

Smart Features and App Integration

The Emporia app is designed to integrate the charger into a broader ecosystem of energy monitoring devices. It provides real-time electricity usage tracking, seamlessly integrates with the Smartcar API, and delivers detailed electricity pricing information that takes into account your utility plan. The app offers robust load management capabilities and thorough energy consumption insights, although a review from EVChargingStations.com notes that its broad focus on various household energy consumption can make the interface appear somewhat cluttered for users primarily interested in EV charging. No, Emporia, I don’t care about how much energy my home office is consuming.

Charging Performance

Recent testing across multiple EVs, including the Tesla Model 3, Rivian R1T, BMW i4, and Hyundai Ioniq 5, demonstrated consistent and reliable charging performance. The 11.5 kW maximum output matches or exceeds most residential charging needs, though actual charging speeds depend on:

Vehicle’s onboard charging capabilities and limitations
Home electrical circuit electric flow
Selected amperage setting
Battery state of charge

Load Management Innovation

A standout feature of the Emporia EV Charger is its innovative optional load management system. This sophisticated system employs advanced induction sensors to meticulously monitor electrical panel activity and intelligently adjusts the charging rate based on the overall household power consumption. Additionally, it offers detailed circuit-specific monitoring, which helps to circumvent the need for costly electrical upgrades. For a modest additional investment, this feature can significantly enhance charging efficiency and ensure that household energy demands are harmoniously balanced, providing peace of mind for users.

Installation Requirements

The charger offers flexible installation options that accommodate different setups. It is available with either a J1772 or NACS/J3400 connector and requires a 240V circuit, with a recommendation of a 40-50 amp circuit to achieve full power output. Although professional installation is advised for optimal performance, the charger can be connected to standard NEMA 14-50 outlets by experienced users.

Cost Considerations

At $399, we find the Emporia Level 2 Charger to be an excellent value for money. Additional costs to consider:

Optional PowerSmart Load Management system ($200)
Installation costs if electrician help needed
Potential home electrical upgrades

Energy Management

Emporia’s bread-and-butter is in Smart Home energy solutions and thus excels in energy monitoring and management. The charger seamlessly integrates utility rate information to provide detailed cost insights and supports automatic load balancing when paired with optional equipment, thus enhancing overall energy efficiency.

Safety Features

In terms of safety, the Emporia EV Charger meets high standards. It boasts UL certification along with robust features such as NEMA 4 weather resistance (which we find to be one of the more impressive aspects of this budget-friendly setup), ground fault protection, overcurrent protection, and temperature monitoring, all of which ensure reliable and secure operation both indoors and outdoors.

Final Assessment

The Emporia EV Charger emerges as a compelling option in the EV home charging market, particularly for budget-conscious buyers. While it may lack some premium features found in more expensive units, it delivers where it matters most: reliable charging performance and robust energy management capabilities.

The decision to purchase should consider:

Budget constraints
Need for advanced energy monitoring
Comfort with a more complex app interface
Future load management requirements
Installation environment

For those seeking powerful charging capabilities without premium pricing, the Emporia offers exceptional value, especially when considering its potential to avoid costly electrical upgrades through load management features.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the maximum charging power of the Emporia EV charger?

The Emporia EV charger can deliver up to 48 amps (11.52kW at 240V), with the ability to adjust the output current to match your home’s electrical capacity.

What connector type does the Emporia charger use?

The charger comes with a standard SAE J1772 connector that is compatible with all electric vehicles in North America. Tesla vehicles can use the charger with their J1772 to NACS adapter.

What are the connectivity options?

The charger can connect via WiFi or Gigabit Ethernet for network connectivity. This allows for remote monitoring and control through the Emporia app.

What are the installation requirements?

The charger requires a 240V electrical connection and comes with a 25-foot output cord (6 AWG gauge). Installation should be performed by a licensed electrician to ensure proper circuit sizing and safety.

Is the charger energy efficient?

Yes, the Emporia EV charger is ENERGY STAR certified, with verified efficiency metrics including low standby power consumption of just 2.81 watts in no-vehicle mode and 5.03 watts in idle mode.

What safety features does the charger include?

The charger includes built-in safety features such as ground fault protection, over-current protection, and temperature monitoring to ensure safe charging operations.

References:

Emporia Level 2 EV Charger

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