Universal EV charger available in NZ?

Forums › Transport (cars, bikes and boats) › Universal EV charger available in NZ?

OldGeek

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#304362 28-Apr-2023 08:43

I am new to EV ownership so if this is covered in an existing thread I would appreciate a link.

Researching wall-mounted EV chargers for the home it seems that chargers are targeted as vehicle-specific - ie will it charge a particular EV. I am looking for a charger as a house device that will charge every EV (or the widest range possible). This would require it to be able to handle both Type 1 (DC?) and Type 2 (AC) EVs. Charge ratings are a secondary consideration. Are there any such chargers available?

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Scott3

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#3068710 28-Apr-2023 09:52

Basically any untethered EVSE.

Example:

https://smartevchargers.co.nz/shop/wall-mount-ev-chargers/eo-mini-pro-2/3

Basically the same deal is the government recommendation for public charging (BYO cable).

If charging a type 1 car, you use a type 2 to type 1 cable. Example:

https://oemaudio.co.nz/ev-power-type-2-type-1-lead-5m-royal-blue

If charging a type 2 car, you use a type 2 to type 2 cable. Example:

https://oemaudio.co.nz/Leads-Type-2-to-Type-2-EV-Charging-Cables/ev-power-type-2-type-2-lead-3-phase-22kw-orange

Any EV owner who wants to use untethered public AC charging will already have such a cable . Some brands of EV include that cable (families Hyundai Kona did).

michaelmurfy

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#3068712 28-Apr-2023 09:58

Also Type 1 and Type 2 are both AC.

Another way you can do it is just install a 16a caravan plug - this will get you 3kw which is fine in most cases but also many people do have caravan adapters too. This is cheaper than installing a proper wall unit but the downside is it is not as convenient and also limited at 16a. If you have 3 phase or the ability to get a 32a single phase then a proper wall unit will offer a faster charge.

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OldGeek

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#3068765 28-Apr-2023 11:30

My experience is that vehicles that charge from a type 1 charger do not come with a charging cable but expect a charger to have a tethered cable. My EV (Renault Zoe) uses a type 2 charger and comes with a type 2 to type 2 charging cable. Therefore the wall charger I am looking for should have a type 1 tethered cable and a type 2 socket.

Any such charger adds value to the house it is installed in, regardless of what EV a prospective purchaser has. It also allows me to replace the Zoe with an EV that uses type 1 charging without any wall-charger cost (I acknowledge there are type 2 to type 1 cables but these are not cheap).

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Dingbatt

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#3068768 28-Apr-2023 11:50

OldGeek:

I am new to EV ownership so if this is covered in an existing thread I would appreciate a link.

Like this one you mean?

https://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=162&topicid=293309

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OldGeek

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#3068784 28-Apr-2023 12:00

Dingbatt:

Like this one you mean?

https://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=162&topicid=293309

Not quite - that is a general EVSE thread. My thread is specifically 'universal' EVSEs. So far, none have been identified.

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Obraik

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#3068787 28-Apr-2023 12:10

OldGeek:

Not quite - that is a general EVSE thread. My thread is specifically 'universal' EVSEs. So far, none have been identified.

Most of the EVSE's in that thread are "universal". The one linked in this thread by @scott3 is a universal EVSE.

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michaelmurfy

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#3068848 28-Apr-2023 13:51

Universal is simply a Type 2 socket. Most Leaf owners for example will have a Type 2 to Type 1 cable. This is what is considered "Universal" for AC destination charging in NZ. Take a look at the Mercury Energy Zero AC chargers scattered around for an example.

Refer to the other thread, I'll lock this one as we don't need multiple: https://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?forumid=162&topicid=293309