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Charging stations (aka charge points) or Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) are essential if you want to get the most out of your electric vehicle. Most cars come with a simple wall charger from a standard outlet, and it can take up to 12 hours to charge the car. So if you need to juice up quickly and don’t want to go to a public car park with charging stations nearby, then you need to invest in a Level 2 home charger.
Most household appliances, like the JuiceBox 32 below, require NEMA 14-50 or NEMA 6-50 outlets, so if your garage doesn’t currently have outlets, you’ll need to contact an electrician to install them. You can also buy wired units like the JuiceBox 40, charges slightly faster than the JuiceBox 32, but we also recommend professional installation by a certified electrician.
Also, there are dozens of utility rebates in North America, so before you make a purchase, be sure to learn about the ones you can take advantage of in your hometown. You can also take advantage of potential tax credits to pay for the cost and installation of a home charging unit.
Amazon $569
main features
- 32 Amp Class 2 EVSE
- UL and ENERGY STAR certified
- 3-year limited warranty for normal residential use
- Weatherproof housing and 25ft charging cable give you the flexibility to mount your device indoors or outdoors, wherever is most convenient in your home
- WiFi connectivity and the free JuiceNet app to remotely control and monitor your charging, get notifications, set charging reminders and more
- Eligible for local incentives in many utility service areas and participate in the Enel X JuicePoints program to earn cash on smart charging in eligible areas
- EV drivers in the US can also get a 30% tax credit on the cost of JuiceBox home chargers and installation.
6% (or $40) isn’t a huge discount, but every little bit helps. You can also save an additional $60 on this device if you use the Amazon coupon before checkout.
The JuiceBox J1772 is compatible with all EV makes and models, including Tesla compatibility through the adapter provided by Tesla. If you have multiple EVs in your fleet, you can share the charging load between two or more JuiceBox chargers without adding additional circuitry to your home’s panels. An important thing to note is that if you decide to go with a wired JuiceBox 40, it will require professional installation, so you’ll need to hire an electrician to permanently connect it to your home’s existing electrical system.
If you don’t want to go the hardwired route (and you want to save some money), the JuiceBox 32 might be the option you’re looking for. So before you buy, consider your home’s power setup and add-on potential to best determine which type of charging case is right for you and your home.