Joining the EV gang while waiting for Scout!

[RodorW]

I agree. Hoping being with same carrier for 32 years they take care of us. They always have so fingers crossed. And now that we have accident forgiveness for life I’m not inclined to shop at all

We just switched back to my original provider, I had them with the charger since they didn’t car about the car as much as my record, but when we got the bolt I was offered a better rate with SF but last year they we’re going to jump my car alone nearly 200 so we swapped everything over to my previous provider and save a lot monthly, though if it was just the cars we could save more with GM insurance, but it’s not worth the headache, I’m a safe driver but rack a lot of miles, our current insurance tracks our behavior but not our cars/mileage.

 

[SaraLiz]

In all cases hard wired is safer and better. The majority of the quality/well known chargers on the marker have ways to limit amps pulled either via dip switches or via mobile app. My Emporia Pro is capable of outputting 48 amps to the vehicle but right now I have it set for 40 amps.

Hardwired doesn't mean you have to pull max amps on the charger. You can future proof by running the correct gauge wire for a 60 amp circuit and installing a 48 amp capable charger. You can install a lower amp breaker and then limit the amps the charger requests on the charger itself. This would allow for use with current panel that could be ready to go if later on the panel is upgraded.

In any use case with an older panel, a charger with the ability to monitor whole home usage and adjust the output to the EV charger would be highly beneficial.

Some dynamic load management capable chargers

Emporia

Emporia Pro Level 2 EV Charger

Fact: ~50% of US homes require a full electrical panel upgrade to safely install a Level 2 EV Charger.The Emporia Pro EV Charger makes powerful automated Level 2 charging possible for almost any home. Thanks to PowerSmart technology, you can charge your EV up to 9 times faster than a level 1...

shop.emporiaenergy.com

WallBox (dynamic load equipment sold separately)

wallbox.com/en/pulsar-family-ev-chargers

Explore the Pulsar series of compact and smart EV chargers. Perfect for efficient and smart home charging with solar capabilities. Install Wallbox today!

wallbox.com

Tesla (power meter for dynamic load sold separately)

https://shop.tesla.com/product/universal-wall-connector

Of course, it looks like the Emporia hardwired NACS config is currently sold out! Any idea how often they refresh availability?

 

[cyure]

Of course, it looks like the Emporia hardwired NACS config is currently sold out! Any idea how often they refresh availability?

Of. Course.

 

[apex96]

Of course, it looks like the Emporia hardwired NACS config is currently sold out! Any idea how often they refresh availability?

Not sure how often they update their page to reflect current inventory. Check their page on amazon and see if you can order or if it at least gives and eta on when it will be back in stock.

 

[SaraLiz]

Not sure how often they update their page to reflect current inventory. Check their page on amazon and see if you can order or if it at least gives and eta on when it will be back in stock.

Already did, Amazon is out too and doesn't provide an in stock estimate. Oh well! Will keep an eye out.

 

[apex96]

Already did, Amazon is out too and doesn't provide an in stock estimate. Oh well! Will keep an eye out.

That's a shame. I just checked their webpage and they have a bidirectional charger coming soon...

Looks like they're branching into battery home storage too so that looks like a future home upgrade I may end up doing...

 

[SaraLiz]

That's a shame. I just checked their webpage and they have a bidirectional charger coming soon...

Looks like they're branching into battery home storage too so that looks like a future home upgrade I may end up doing...

When you say bidirectional charger, does that mean it has the capability of Vehicle to Home without requiring extra adapters or equipment?

 

[SpaceEVDriver]

Of course, it looks like the Emporia hardwired NACS config is currently sold out! Any idea how often they refresh availability?

Talk to your installer. There’s no need to specifically buy the “hardwired” version—the NEMA 14-50 plug version can be hardwired by any competent installer. The internals of the charger are identical, so all that’s necessary is for the installer to know that you want 48 Amps (which requires a 60 Amp breaker and branch circuit, including on the “whip” that connects to the charger) and for the charger to be hardwired.

The J1772 plug is also not a big issue. You will want to purchase a J1772 to NACS adapter, which you may want to do anyway if you do any kind of road tripping—most Level 2 plugs out in public are J1772.

So… Buying the J1772 hardwire Emporia Pro will work just fine for you if you also purchase a J1772 to NACS (Level 2, AC) adapter.
You’ll also want a CCS1 to NACS (DC Fast Charging) adapter so you can use EA, EVGo, etc DCFC chargers on road trips.

 

[apex96]

When you say bidirectional charger, does that mean it has the capability of Vehicle to Home without requiring extra adapters or equipment?

Yes, that is correct. This will only work if the vehicle is capable of that. I believe the Ioniq 5 from model year 2025+ has such capability.

 

[SaraLiz]

Yes, that is correct. This will only work if the vehicle is capable of that. I believe the Ioniq 5 from model year 2025+ has such capability.

Yes, it is! I knew that there were other ways to hook it up with like a generator adaptor (probably using the wrong terminology) or something, but wasn't a high priority for me. Would be nice though, we were hit with major power outages the week before Xmas because of high winds/wildfire risk. Would have been nice to have that backup.

 

[SpaceEVDriver]

When you say bidirectional charger, does that mean it has the capability of Vehicle to Home without requiring extra adapters or equipment?

Yes, that is correct. This will only work if the vehicle is capable of that. I believe the Ioniq 5 from model year 2025+ has such capability.

There will almost always be hardware required. Or it will be a non-automated setup.

A simple V2L like what some vehicles have (Lightning—which also has V2H capability, Kia, and Hyundai, and others) is a simple 120 or 240 volt output with low amperage. You would run an extension cord or two from the vehicle to the appliances you want to power. But you cannot safely run, for example, a hardwired HVAC (heat pump or AC) unit via this route.

A V2H system requires additional hardware installed by a certified, licensed electrician and it must be inspected and approved by the utility company. The safety of such a system is paramount if it’s meant to replace grid power during an outage. It’s not enough to pinky promise to flip the grid breaker when using your vehicle to power the home. In addition, the kind of power required to run a V2H is high enough that you don’t want the inverter on the vehicle, you want it on the home.

 

[dreamweaver]

Talk to your installer. There’s no need to specifically buy the “hardwired” version—the NEMA 14-50 plug version can be hardwired by any competent installer. The internals of the charger are identical, so all that’s necessary is for the installer to know that you want 48 Amps (which requires a 60 Amp breaker and branch circuit, including on the “whip” that connects to the charger) and for the charger to be hardwired.

The J1772 plug is also not a big issue. You will want to purchase a J1772 to NACS adapter, which you may want to do anyway if you do any kind of road tripping—most Level 2 plugs out in public are J1772.

So… Buying the J1772 hardwire Emporia Pro will work just fine for you if you also purchase a J1772 to NACS (Level 2, AC) adapter.
You’ll also want a CCS1 to NACS (DC Fast Charging) adapter so you can use EA, EVGo, etc DCFC chargers on road trips.

The manual for the Emporia Pro shows how to open it up to change the wiring for a wall mount (back entrance wiring) and bottom wiring (conduit). If you don't what a junction box for the "whip" remove it and run the conduit straight to the box for cleaner install. Just make sure to use the right sized conduit for what ever gauge power wiring is used.

 

[SpaceEVDriver]

The manual for the Emporia Pro shows how to open it up to change the wiring for a wall mount (back entrance wiring) and bottom wiring (conduit). If you don't what a junction box for the "whip" remove it and run the conduit straight to the box for cleaner install. Just make sure to use the right sized conduit for what ever gauge power wiring is used.

Exactly.

And a good installer will download the install manual and read it before they quote the price to install. They’ll also ask questions before quoting, such as, “do you want it installed with a whip or direct-connect to a box?” and “Do you need 48 Amps? That will require larger wires, which will increase cost.”

 

[apex96]

There will almost always be hardware required. Or it will be a non-automated setup.

A simple V2L like what some vehicles have (Lightning, Kia, and Hyundai, and others) is a simple 120 or 240 volt output with low amperage. You would run an extension cord or two from the vehicle to the appliances you want to power. But you cannot safely run, for example, a hardwired HVAC (heat pump or AC) unit via this route.

A V2H system requires additional hardware installed by a certified, licensed electrician and it must be inspected and approved by the utility company. The safety of such a system is paramount if it’s meant to replace grid power during an outage. It’s not enough to pinky promise to flip the grid breaker when using your vehicle to power the home. In addition, the kind of power required to run a V2H is high enough that you don’t want the inverter on the vehicle, you want it on the home.

Space is right, I just rechecked the Ioniq 5's stats. It has V2L but not V2H capability. It can output roughly 3.6kW. I believe the only V2H capable vehicles on the road are the GM EV truck twins, the ford F150 lightning, and the Cadillac Escalade IQ. GM has a special charger for their V2H system.

@SpaceEVDriver does your lightning have V2H capability or do you utilize the pro power onboard generator?

 

[SpaceEVDriver]

Space is right, I just rechecked the Ioniq 5's stats. It has V2L but not V2H capability. It can output roughly 3.6kW. I believe the only V2H capable vehicles on the road are the GM EV truck twins, the ford F150 lightning, and the Cadillac Escalade IQ. GM has a special charger for their V2H system.

The V2H capability of the Lightning also requires the Ford Charge Station Pro (80 Amp).
I don’t know of a V2H capable vehicle that doesn’t require their own proprietary charger to enable V2H. This is because the standard for V2H hadn’t been finalized before automobile manufacturers started creating V2H solutions. None of the existing solutions work very well either.

There’s a new EVSE that claims to be able to provide V2H capabilities for many different vehicles, but I haven’t read up on it enough to be certain I understand how it accomplishes what it claims. I might mention it in the charger thread.

 

[SaraLiz]

Makes sense all around! I didn’t understand the nuance between V2L and V2H!

 

[apex96]

The V2H capability of the Lightning also requires the Ford Charge Station Pro (80 Amp).
I don’t know of a V2H capable vehicle that doesn’t require their own proprietary charger to enable V2H. This is because the standard for V2H hadn’t been finalized before automobile manufacturers started creating V2H solutions. None of the existing solutions work very well either.

There’s a new EVSE that claims to be able to provide V2H capabilities for many different vehicles, but I haven’t read up on it enough to be certain I understand how it accomplishes what it claims. I might mention it in the charger thread.

I believe the WallBox Quasar is the EVSE in question. Oddly enough it's only available for Kia EV9 owners currently...

Quasar 2 - V2H & V2G Bidirectional EV Charger | Wallbox

Discover Quasar 2: the leading bidirectional EV charger with V2H and V2G capabilities, turning your car into a dynamic energy source.

wallbox.com

 

[SpaceEVDriver]

InsideEVs has a list of V2H capable (with additional hardware) vehicles that was current as of August 2025.

https://insideevs.com/features/770430/evs-with-v2h-vehicle-to-home-power/

 

[dreamweaver]

The V2H capability of the Lightning also requires the Ford Charge Station Pro (80 Amp).
I don’t know of a V2H capable vehicle that doesn’t require their own proprietary charger to enable V2H. This is because the standard for V2H hadn’t been finalized before automobile manufacturers started creating V2H solutions. None of the existing solutions work very well either.

There’s a new EVSE that claims to be able to provide V2H capabilities for many different vehicles, but I haven’t read up on it enough to be certain I understand how it accomplishes what it claims. I might mention it in the charger thread.

I look forward to your analysis.

 

[SpaceEVDriver]

I believe the WallBox Quasar is the EVSE in question. Oddly enough it's only available for Kia EV9 owners currently...

Quasar 2 - V2H & V2G Bidirectional EV Charger | Wallbox

Discover Quasar 2: the leading bidirectional EV charger with V2H and V2G capabilities, turning your car into a dynamic energy source.

wallbox.com

I’ll link to the video in the other thread.

Thread 'Home Charger Reviews and FAQs'

Aug 14, 2025

I was asked to give a review of one of my EVSEs (Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment), more commonly known as a “charger.” Some pedants care if you call it a charger and not an EVSE. Technically, for power coming from a wall outlet in the form of alternating current (AC), the “charger” is built into the car and the EVSE tells the car’s charger how much current at what voltage it is allowed to pull. Nobody except those pedants cares about the distinction. The thing that gets the electricity from the source to the vehicle is the charger; part of it is offboard the vehicle and part of it is...

• SpaceEVDriver
• Replies: 50
• Forum: GENERAL DISCUSSION

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