EV Chargers come in all forms, size and price. Think you’ve hit the jackpot in buying a really, and I mean really cheap EV charger? Think again! You might be buying into a temporary solution to charge your EV at home.

Here’s a short guideline on how to differentiate cheap chargers that’s actually worth its weight without breaking the bank!

What Do You Need To Look Out For?

Safety certifications and markings

Cheap doesn’t come without cutting out functionality and features. Safety however should be your number one priority when glancing through these sea of EV Chargers. Certifications are proof that the Charger is passed through industry standards which makes it reliable. Look for certifications such as UL Listing, CE Marking or SIRIM. 

Charging Speeds

When opting for the cheaper option, you’ll usually be met with a lower charging power output. Level 2 EV Chargers output range from 7kW to 22kW. A charger that’s too slow will be an inconvenience to you, especially when you rely on your EV for daily commutes. Refer to your EV and find the maximum kW that it's able to receive to optimize your charging and not waste it on a higher output EV Charger.

Safety Components

Check to see if the cheap EV Charger in mind has the functionality to detect overcurrent or overvoltage. You’d want it to have a fast response time capable of measuring the full range of current the charger can deliver as it is critical for preventing damage to your EV or EV Charger. Check specifications for details , if it's missing then move onto the next cheap alternative.

IP-Rating

This entirely depends whether or not you're going to have the EV Charger installed outside or inside (Garage). If it's exposed to outdoor conditions, it's better to have it properly rated against those elements. By minimum you’d want at least an IP54 or higher. This will ensure that water splashed or dust won't be an issue for your cheap EV Charger.

Smart Features

Beggars can’t be choosers, but they can still make smart decisions. Your array of smart features will be limited following the budget that you put out, you’ll need to decide on what features that’ll you’ll be able to live with and without. Connectivity such as:

• Wi-Fi

• Scheduling

• Energy Monitoring

These features can enhance your experience but if you're okay with a no-frills charger, then the most basic offering might suffice. Optimizing, automating or tracking energy usage will need you to spend a bit more.

Warranty and Customer Support

This is the final nail in the coffin to ensure that even if things go south, you’d get some sort of support with your purchase. You’d want to survey their reputation on social platforms or reviews left by customers. If you’re able to find instances where they respond to their customer’s problems promptly and effectively then it's a good sign that the company stands behind its products.

Who is your Installer?

Even if you’ve found the holy grail of cheap EV Chargers, it’ll be null and void if the installer that you’ve chosen isn’t aware of the correct process in installing an EV Charger. Pick and choose a credible and professional EV Charger Installer that has a great track record at providing installation services.

 At EV Sifu, we pride ourselves as being just that, with over 200+ installations done in Malaysia for Malaysians. If you’re looking for an EV Charger that fits the above criteria as well, don't hesitate to reach out to us to inquire more.