Selecting the Right Home EV Charger: Your Complete Guide

With more New Zealanders making the switch to electric vehicles (EVs), installing a home charger is quickly becoming an essential step toward convenient and cost-effective driving. Yet, with so many options available—from simple plug-and-charge units to advanced smart chargers—it can be challenging to decide which one best fits your lifestyle and budget. Below, we’ll explore the key questions you should ask when selecting your home EV charger.

Smart EV Charger

1) What Charging Speed Should Your Charger Provide?

One of the first considerations is how quickly you need your EV to charge. If you typically drive short distances and can leave your car plugged in overnight, a 7kW charger is often sufficient. Most single-phase homes in New Zealand can support up to 7kW, which replenishes a mid-sized 50–70kWh battery in about 6 to 10 hours. This pace aligns well with overnight charging and ensures your vehicle is fully topped up by morning. You can use the table below to estimate which charger output might be right for your lifestyle:

Range Added per Hour of Charging

2.4kW slow

3.5kW slow

7kW fast

22kW fast
10 km
20 km
40 km
120 km

However, if you have larger daily driving requirements or multiple EVs in the household, you might be tempted by an 11kW or 22kW charger. Keep in mind that these higher outputs require three-phase power, which many NZ homes don’t have by default. Moreover, your car’s onboard charger may limit the AC charging rate. For example, if your EV only supports 7kW AC charging, installing a 22kW station won’t speed anything up. Before committing to a more powerful (and often pricier) setup, verify that your home electrical infrastructure and EV both support the upgrade.

You can read more about various charging speed for home chargers here.

2) What Affect The Charger Pricing?

Price is almost always a major consideration. At the most basic level, you can find a simple plug-in charger for as little as $300 to $500. These units focus on safe power delivery and can be perfectly adequate if you drive about 20–30km per day and aren’t interested in extra features. On the other hand, mid-range to premium wall-mounted chargers often support faster speeds (7kW or more) and include advanced capabilities like Wi-Fi connectivity, app control, and real-time power monitoring. Such smart chargers can vary significantly in cost, starting at around $500 and going up to $1,300 or more.

Local, NZ-made smart chargers sometimes exceed $1,000 due to higher manufacturing costs, local support, and in-house software development. Overseas brands may come in between $500 and $900. Don’t forget to factor in installation costs, which typically range from $800 to over $1,000, depending on your home’s electrical setup and other site requirements. Balancing up-front expenses with longer-term benefits—like reliability, convenience, and potential software updates—can help you make a sound investment.

3) Are Smart Features Worth It?

Smart chargers add a layer of intelligence to your charging routine. Through a companion smartphone app or online portal, you can often:

  • Start/stop charging remotely
  • Schedule charging to align with off-peak electricity rates
  • Monitor real-time battery status and charger usage
  • Access detailed charging history and cost insights

These features can be a game-changer if you’re looking to optimize your electricity bill (such as electricity off-peak deal) or maintain a closer eye on your EV’s charging habits. Many smart chargers also receive firmware updates over Wi-Fi, which can refine performance or unlock new capabilities over time. However, if you prefer a simple, plug-and-play experience—and your EV already includes built-in scheduling—you may decide these extra features aren’t necessary.

4) Is Solar Integration Right for Your Home?

If you have a substantial solar panel system (or plan to install one soon), a solar-ready EV charger could be a worthwhile upgrade. These specialized chargers adjust charging output to match the surplus energy your solar array generates, helping you run your car on clean, renewable power and potentially reducing your electricity costs.

That said, solar chargers are typically pricier than standard units, and they often require additional hardware (like current transformers) to communicate with your solar inverter. If you’re often out during peak sunlight hours, you might not reap the full benefits of solar integration. Intermittent sunlight can also lead to slower or inconsistent charging. Make sure your solar array has enough capacity to justify the extra expense—otherwise, your return on investment may be limited.

5) Do You Need Dynamic Load Balancing?

Dynamic Load Balancing (DLB) is a feature that automatically adjusts your EV’s charging rate based on how much electricity your home is using at any moment. This prevents overloading your electrical supply if you’re running multiple high-power appliances while also charging your car. DLB can be particularly useful for large households, apartments with multiple EVs, or commercial environments where numerous chargers operate simultaneously.

For the average Kiwi home, though, DLB may be overkill. If you don’t often run an oven, heat pump, washing machine, and car charger all at once, you probably don’t need this level of complexity. Additionally, implementing DLB can be more expensive, since it usually requires current transformers and specialized software to measure and regulate power flow in real time.

Bringing It All Together

When choosing a home EV charger, it pays to consider all aspects of your lifestyle: how far you drive, whether you have or plan to install solar panels, and whether you need advanced smart or load-balancing features. Start by determining the charging speed your EV (and home) can support, then weigh the costs and potential benefits of more premium chargers. If solar integration or load balancing fits your needs—or if you simply enjoy the convenience of Wi-Fi-enabled app controls—factor that into your purchase decision.

By carefully assessing these questions about charging speed, cost, smart functionalities, and solar compatibility, you’ll be well on your way to finding a charger that suits your daily routine and budget. If you have any questions or need further guidance, we’re here to help—feel free to reach out or browse our charger selection to find the perfect match for your EV.

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