Is a Smart EV Charger Worth It? Let’s Weigh the Pros and Cons

What Exactly Is a Smart EV Charger?

A regular EV charger is pretty straightforward by now: plug your car in and it charges. A smart EV charger takes things a step further by connecting to Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. With that connection, the charger can "talk" to your smartphone, tablet, or even a larger home system.

Think of it like the difference between a flip phone and a modern smartphone. Both can make calls, but one gives you a whole lot more options. Smart EV chargers provide features such as scheduled charging, energy monitoring, remote control, and even integration with solar panels or smart home systems.

Why EV Owners Are Investing in Smart Chargers

We can break down the benefits of a smart EV charger installation into four categories: Effectiveness, Efficiency, Control, and Investment.

• Effectiveness: Many smart EV chargers are designed to support higher charging speeds. They also come with built-in safety features like load balancing to prevent your electrical system from overload.
• Efficiency: Ever wonder how much charging your car is adding to your electric bill? Smart chargers track exactly how much energy you’re using and how much it’s costing. For businesses with fleets or property managers offering EV charging, this information is gold.
• Control: With a smart charger, you can start, stop, or schedule charging sessions from your phone. Let’s say you want to take advantage of cheaper overnight electricity rates, for example. You can set your car to charge while you’re asleep. No need to stay up late to plug it in.
• Investment: The EV industry is growing quickly, and smart chargers are often built to be future-proof. That means your charger can adapt to new standards and technology through software updates instead of becoming outdated in just a few years.

The Drawbacks to Consider

With all of that said, a smart EV charger is not for everybody. For beginners, smart EV chargers cost more than basic models. If a regular charger meets your needs just fine, then the bigger upfront cost might not be necessary.

Speaking of necessity... If you have predictable driving habits - say, you always charge at night and don’t care about tracking usage - then a basic charger may serve you just as well.

Finally, smart chargers often require stronger connections and integration with your electrical system. While traditional EV chargers may be as simple as plug-and-play (usually not), it is always advisable to hire a certified electrician to handle a smart EV charger installation.

So, Are Smart EV Chargers Worth It?

Let's summarize, because the answer depends on your lifestyle, budget, and goals:

• They're worth it if... you want full control over your charging schedule, you’re looking to save money with off-peak charging, or you want detailed tracking of your energy use. They’re especially great for businesses and property managers who want to monitor costs or offer EV charging as an amenity.
• Maybe not worth it if... you only need a basic solution, don’t care about the data, and want to save money upfront.

Whether you need a basic setup, a smart EV charger, or even emergency electrical repair, the professionals at Mr. Electric have the expertise, experience, and equipment to help. Call or message Mr. Electric to get in touch today!