Podpoint EV Chargers

For more than ten years, Podpoint has existed as one of the most trusted vendors of charging for plug-in hybrid cars in the United Kingdom. Within a decade, the company has managed to install at least 70,000 public and private charging points, making it a key player in the market.

If you are a homeowner looking to use the product privately, then we recommend Podpoint’s ‘Solo’. But it does come with three different versions, and you can choose either of the two mounting options; untethered or tethered. The two mounting options mean that your box might come with or without the charging cable attached. Podpoint, in September 2020, opened the biggest EV charging hub on the UK railway network at Hatfield Station in Hertfordshire, and it has up to 27 charging points.

Understandably, it is misleading to refer to Podpoint Solo as a wall box charger since the model can perfectly supply a stand, so you will have additional options when you need to do the installation. Regardless of where you mount it, the unit is always identical.

The Podpoint Solo is 15cm deep and measures 35cm in diameter. It comes with a type 2 socket that is centrally mounted and can only be accessed by lifting a flap. The unit comes with a case that is a blend of light grey plastic and dark and can withstand frequent charging.

Buyers can pick from 3.6Kw, 7Kw, and 22 kW. However, for the latter, you will need a three-phase power supply, and this might be an expensive upgrade for an ordinary homeowner. The Podpoint charger can do load balancing to monitor the electric consumption of your property. It can also regulate the car charger to ensure that the safe level is not exceeded.

The 3.6kW version of the Podpoint EV charger is up to 1.6 times faster compared to charging from a three-pin plug. Also, it will give you a range of 15 miles per hour. On the other hand, the 7kW type is three times quicker than the three-pin model and will give you a range of 30 miles per hour. But if you have the money to upgrade your power supply, then you can use the 22kW model and get a ten times faster-charging rate and a range of 90 miles per hour.

You can pick any of the versions since they are all Wi-Fi enabled and allow remote software updates to enhance the unit’s life. They can easily get connected with your smartphone app. After you have keyed in your energy cost per unit, it will automatically display the amount of power and the price of electricity each time you connect. That way, you will not struggle to keep tabs on your expenditure, and you won’t have to use a smart meter.

Before the Podpoint installation process is started, you must make sure that the space around the electricity supply meter is clear. The same should be done for the cable route, more so in small areas such as around the stairs and the garage. The Wi-Fi password should be ready because the installer will need to connect your charging station to the internet.

Once you have contacted the installer, they will confirm their arrival. They will guide you on how to pick the best position for the charger by considering your power supply and how your car is normally parked.

To fix your Podpoint home charger, the installer will drill and then clip the cable firmly to the wall. They will then turn off the power supply briefly to install the RCBO and connect it to the main power supply. Once that is done, they will conduct some safety tests to ascertain that your Podpoint charging station is ready to use.

Before they leave, the technicians will provide you with clear demonstrations on how to use your charger. This includes the meaning of different lights and how to contact them in case you have any questions later. The set up will then be completed after you have provided them with your Wi-Fi password.

Note that there are different types of installations, and each of them is unique. However, most installations should not take more than three hours to complete. In case the company cannot get the work done in a single day due to unexpected extra works, they will plan with you the next installation date at a time convenient for both of you.

The unexpected extra work might be caused by the fact that your installation fails to meet the standard installation criteria. In such cases, the installation might still be done, but at an extra cost. If that is the case at hand, the company will conduct a thorough site survey and come up with a no-obligation quote for extra works. However, if the extra work is minor and fits within your installation schedule, the payment will be taken from you, and the work completed there and then.

If there is a lot of additional work, the company will get back to you with a quote, and they will only rearrange the installation if you accept. In case you decline the quote, a full refund will be provided for any payment that you had already made.

It is important that you have your Podpoint home charger connected to your Wi-Fi to enable remote diagnostics, as well as remote support from the experts. The internet connection will also make it possible to do over-the-air software updates. The internet will give you easy access to additional smart features as they are made available in the Podpoint app. Note that Podpoint is safe since it complies with data security, regulations, and protocols.