Wallbox comparison and charging stations: the best models

In individuals, it is possible to install:

What is the charging station at the best quality/price ratio ?

Choosing a charging station for your home is complex. There are a multitude of models on a still poorly developed market, where it is therefore difficult to forge your own opinion with sufficient hindsight. How to choose the charging station at the best quality/price ratio ? We guide you.

Define your own quality criteria

First of all, it is advisable to set your own criteria. What maximum budget do you want or are you able to devote to the purchase of your load installation ? What use will you make of your electric vehicle ? Is the fast charge necessary and essential ? Do you have an individual terminal ? Or collective ? Once you are clear on these parameters, here are the criteria to be made to assess the quality of a product.

• A quality brand: Obviously, some manufacturers are pioneers on the market, and offer terminals of a level of excellence. We will mention in particular Evbox, Wallbox, Legrand, Schneider, Circontrol, Hager, or Keba among the most recognized;
• Advanced technology: The quality of a terminal can gauge its connection and its more or less advanced technicality. Some models have temperature sensors, automatic power adjustment, adaptation of power to the capacity of the electrical network, remote control, pairing to other connected objects, detection of off -peak hours, monitoring of load and consumption level, an interactive screen, etc. ;
• Safety first: The terminal will be added to the electrical panel, alongside other consumer devices of the house. Also, it will sometimes be installed outside, exposed to bad weather. It will be essential to aim for security, and depending on the need, to opt for a terminal equipped with IP54 (heavy rain resistance) and IK10 (shock resistance) to destroy any risk of infiltration.

These three main criteria will study according to three components. First of all, Correspondence with the vehicle. Indeed, the power of a home charging station can range from 3.7 to 22 kW. This power will depend on the vehicle’s load duration. It is therefore important to make sure to equip yourself with an effective infrastructure so as not to have to maintain a charge of many hours every night. But you still have to ensure its compatibility with the capacity of the vehicle battery. A high performance charging station at 22 kW for example will be useless to recharge a vehicle whose battery has only 11 kW power, unless the terminal is equipped with a power adjustment option.

Also, the quality criteria will be appreciated according to the provided for the electric vehicle. On average, ecomobilists travel 25 km per day with their electric vehicle. The majority of them remain city vehicles, preferred by buyers for short journeys. Depending on whether the use is daily or occasional, the performance will be adapted. Also, we must question the need for real autonomy depending on the kilometers made daily or weekly to make a suitable choice.

Finally, and this is our subject: the price. With a budget of € 500, the requirement criteria in terms of quality will obviously not be the same as with a budget of 1,500 to 2,000 €.

The best terminal: a subjective quality/price ratio

Define a model of charging station among all those existing, and award the palm of the best quality/price ratio seems difficult to us, and in reality impossible and completely subjective. Each user has their own quality and price analysis, according to their expectations in terms of power or features, and according to their budget. Difficult to put everyone to agree on a particular model. However, it must be recognized that certain charging stations are pulling out of the game. To try to quote them with as much objectivity as possible, the choice will also be made by also correlating the number of sales of the product, the most appreciated and sought -after options, and based on the average price range of a purchase of Private charging station.

The Wallbox Copper SB

The Spanish Wallbox company was founded very recently, in 2015, and has managed in a few years to rise among the best brands of charging stations. The sharp connection and the connected interobject communication system that it integrates into each of its models allowed it to stand out.

Its COPPER SB model is placed in the top 3 of the best sales on the market. Its advantage: it is a smart charging station. It offers an adaptable power depending on the vehicle to be recharged, from 1.4 to 22 kW, and can settle on single -phase or three -phase current. Also, it is connected by Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, which allows it to be locked or activated from a distance. Thanks to its universal socket, the charger can adapt to type 1 or type 2 vehicle connectors without difficulty. Finally, it complies with IK08 (shock protection) and IP55 standards (heavy rain protection).

Its price is around € 950 to € 1,000 including tax. Obviously, we are outside the low -end, rather in the top of the mid -range, even the start of the high -end, for a very reasonable price compared to its functionalities.

The Wallbox Kecontact P30 Series-B of Keba

The Austrian company Keba has made a place for itself among the European leaders in the development of green energies. Represented by 25 subsidiaries across 15 countries, it promises simple and accessible charging equipment, comfort generators, integrating the most advanced technology.

Its Kecontact P30 Series-B model is its best sale on the market. It connects to single -phase or three -phase with an adjustable intensity from 2.3 to 22 kW. Compatible with type 2 sockets, it can activate automatically by Plug & Play, but also has an RFID system for connectivity, allowing it to be installed in a private parking of an individual house, as on a collective business parking for example. It also has an automatic recovery function which allows the charge to be resumed as soon as the current is restored in the event of overheating or cutting of the differential circuit breaker. It is found around € 1,200 incl.

Evbox’s Wallbox Elvi

Evbox specializes in the equipment of electric vehicles, and located in nearly 13 countries around the world, including two offices in France (Paris and Bordeaux). Its Elvi model is one of the first high -end models of the brand. Available between 900 and € 1,000 including tax, it can deliver from 2.3 to 22 kW, by single -phase or three -phase current, and offers compatibility in type 2 grips. Reliable, robust, design and with Wi-Fi connectivity, it will satisfy individuals and businesses, for 100 % electric vehicles such as rechargeable hybrids.

Help with online comparators

Putting your own quality criteria and budget is one thing. Make an opinion from the best -selling models, a priori offering the best value for money, is another. But with all these elements, difficult to make your choice. Does this mean that with the planned budget, it is impossible to have a high-performance charging station ? Or that the desired options are incompatible with the budget ? No, this presentation is far from exhaustive, and once again, each assess their own degree of quality/price ratio.

Online comparators can help you make your choice. They are easy to use, reliable, 100 % free and engage in nothing. They draw up a comparison of the terminals currently on the market, according to the research criteria provided. This is a good introduction, and a good way to assess your project.

Wallbox comparison and charging stations: the best models !

In the summer of 2022, it was estimated that a million charging points for electric vehicles now existed in the territory.

Note that a terminal may contain several charging points, but the real nuance does not appear here. Among this million, only 6 % of charges are accessible to the public, are around 60,000, 43 % are installed in business, and 52 % among individuals.
You will have calculated, 520,000 charging points are private facilities in individuals, which represents approximately 90 % of electromobilist individuals. So it’s the rush to Wallbox manufacturers, but you still have to know how to make the right choice. To equip yourself well, you have to be able to compare. Here are some tools to get there, and a presentation of models with the best value for money.

How to choose your charging station ?

The electric vehicle market is constantly expanding in recent years, to respond to natural awareness and caused by global warming, and the need to stop using fossil fuels, for the benefit of alternating renewable resources. Electric vehicle designers use all possible to offer increasingly innovative models, to flirt with thermal performance. But that’s not all ! Aware that the lost comfort of a completely independent vehicle is also played there between two full of fuel, the charging stations manufacturers follow the step of car manufacturers to offer increasingly sophisticated models, at the cutting edge of technology. The objective is obviously that recharging is not an obstacle to the development of the electric market, while the public charging network is struggling to expand. This is why 90 % of “ecomobilists” or “electromobilists”, as we like to call them, have made the choice to acquire a charging station at their home, to fully enjoy driving green.

As in all booming areas, and fortunately, the charging station is no exception to a rain of models, more or less efficient, more or less expensive, to suit the needs and budget of each. Difficult then to know which model orient his choice, in a situation specific to each and where the opinion of relatives is still very subjective, assuming that they have converted to electric. Here is an overview of the main criteria for choosing its wallbox: power, options, brand, and cost.

What power to choose ?

In individuals, it is possible to install:

• 3.7 kW charging station
• 7.4 kW charging station
• 11 kW charging station
• 22 kW charging station

Some might be tempted to opt for full power, in an impulse of equipment optimality. Piano, piano !

A choice according to use

The choice of power must first be done according to the expected use of the vehicle. Obviously, the most powerful terminal recharges faster. But is it really useful ? You have to think that the more powerful terminal is more expensive to buy, but also requires an adaptation of the electric meter and the electricity contract. And this for a very simple reason: if it will work much longer than a slower terminal, therefore that overall consumption may seem similar, know that 22 kW equivalent to the simultaneous operation of 8 ovens ! To this consumption is added that of all other devices in the house. Without adapting the meter and the contract, the electrical panel will disjunct, the overload will cause overheating, which could quickly cause the start of a fire. The question therefore arises of the usefulness of such power. The terminals of 3.7 or 7 kW will be relatively preferable for an extra use of the electric vehicle, still for small daily journeys, requiring only a short time of daily recharge or every 2 or 3 days. Big rollers will of course have to turn to 11 or 22 kW models, the car will still have to be receptive ..

A choice according to the compatibility of the vehicle

The choice of power will have to be made according to his vehicle, or rather according to the compatibility of his vehicle. Indeed, at the other end of the charging cable, there is the electric vehicle, or rather its battery. This is able to absorb a maximum power of alternating current which can range from 2.3 kW for the least powerful like a Citroën Berlingo or a Peugeot Partner, up to 22 kW for those who have a battery more optimal, as is the case with the Renault Zoé or the Tesla. It will therefore be necessary that the power of the terminal is suitable for the capacity of the vehicle battery. In other words, the load power issued by the terminal is conditioned on the maximum power supported by the electronics integrated into the vehicle. Note also that the storage capacity of rechargeable hybrid vehicles will be limited. It will then be useless to equip yourself with a too powerful terminal.

Which brand choose ?

A booming technology market, innovative companies at the time ! Obviously, some pioneers of automotive technology are soon present to present their first models of charging stations, then competition doing the rest, the models are multiplying today, each brand presenting assets and sometimes weaknesses. The most recognized brands are as follows:

• Legrand: French group largely established internationally, it is among the leaders in electrical installation systems. Their charging stations promise performance, security and reliability;
• Schneider Electric: French multinational specialized in digital solutions and automation for the benefit of sustainability, their terminals benefit from advanced technology, for any test and reliability;
• EVBOX: Specialist in the equipment of electric vehicles, it offers high -performance charging stations models, at the cutting edge of technological options;
• Wallbox: Rather recent on the market, it offers a range of powerful charging stations thanks to the development of the connectivity of the equipment.

What options to choose ?

The wallbox can have several additional options to the simple vehicle recharge, such as remote control thanks to the connection with other connected tools such as the smartphone, the tablet or the computer, the programmed load to start in off -peak hours , the load of a secondary solar energy battery which redistributes the electricity accumulated during the load, or the adjustment of the power according to the capacity of the vehicle battery of the vehicle.

We are even talking about smart charging stations today. Also, in connection with the electric vehicle, an information flow is transmitted in real time to a centralized platform on a cloud via WiFi or Bluetooth, such as the speed and duration of charging necessary for vehicle battery, the ability of local network and the use of network terminals at time t. Thanks to this action, the data collected is analyzed and the decisions to be made are automated to intelligently recharge the vehicle, all immediate. For example, it will be able to distribute energy according to the real need of the vehicle, depending on the capacity of the battery, and possibly depending on the number of trendy vehicles if it is a network system. She therefore takes advantage of Internet technology to interact in an ultra-performative way.

What cost to provide ?

Installing a Wallbox at your home represents a cost, which will depend on various factors. The simple installation of the charging station can surround the 300 to 600 €, including the installation, the line drawing and the implementation of electrical protection. These costs can increase if you have to dig a trench, if the electrical system is too dilapidated, etc. Regarding the terminal itself, it can vary from € 300 for a power of 3.7 kWh to 1500 € for 7.4 kWh, and far beyond for faster charging stations. To power, there will be the options that will obviously impact the price of the terminal. The so -called intelligent terminals flourish on the market, and are appreciated by shared systems, in condominiums or in companies.

To help finance equipment, financial aid can be granted in the form of a premium or tax credit:

• A tax credit Can go up to 75 % of the investment necessary for the acquisition of a charging point and its installation, however capped at € 300. One condition is however imposed, that of using an IRVE certified electrician to have the device installed. It is the intervention of the professional with solid and continuous training on this type of equipment that will trigger the right to tax credit;
• The premium happens (Development assistance for electric vehicles thanks to new charging infrastructure) is an aid funded by the EEC system (Energy Economy Certificates), which covers the costs of supply and installation of the recharge point up to 50 % for collective residential with an HT ceiling set at € 960 for an individual solution, € 1,660 for a shared solution, and € 8,000 for a collective system. To promote private electric fleets, it also applies to companies wishing to invest in charging installations in their private parking for their fleet for 30 % of HT investment.

The 3 best Wallbox models on the market

By combining performance at a reasonable cost, three models stand out today on the market. Let us insistently specify that he does not mean that they are suitable for everyone, the choice to be made according to all the criteria set out beforehand beforehand.

• The Wallbox Copper SB : It is a smart charging station. It offers an adaptable power depending on the vehicle to be recharged up to 22 kW, and can settle on single -phase or three -phase current. Also, it is connected by Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, which allows it to be locked or activated from a distance. Thanks to its universal socket, the charger can adapt to type 1 or type 2 vehicle connectors without difficulty. Finally, it complies with IK08 (shock protection) and IP55 standards (heavy rain protection). Its price is around € 1,000 including tax. Obviously, we are rather at the top of the mid -range, even the start of the high -end, for a completely reasonable price compared to its functionalities;
• The Wallbox Kecontact P30 Series-B : It connects to single -phase or three -phase with an adjustable intensity up to 22 kW. Compatible with type 2 sockets, it can activate automatically by Plug & Play, but also has an RFID system for connectivity, allowing it to be installed in a private parking of an individual house, as on a collective business parking for example. It also has an automatic recovery function which allows the charge to be resumed as soon as the current is restored in the event of overheating or cutting of the differential circuit breaker. It is found around € 1,200 including tax;
• The Wallbox Elvi : Available between 900 and € 1,000 including tax, it can deliver up to 22 kW, by single -phase or three -phase current, and offers compatibility in type 2 grips. Reliable, robust, design and with Wi-Fi connectivity, it will satisfy individuals and businesses, for 100 % electric vehicles such as rechargeable hybrids.

Let us once again remember that this presentation remains subjective and may not be shared by all users. On the other hand, to opt for the terminal most suited to its need according to the specificity of your vehicle, your accommodation and your budget, it will be good to use the services of an online comparator. Very simple to use, it is 100 % free and does not force any form of commitment. It is a good tool to be able to estimate the terminal accessible to its budget with the desired features.