Tag: evse

Posted on by

Rapid DC EV Chargers Approved for WA’s Charge Up Grant

Rapid DC EV Chargers Approved for WA’s Charge Up Grant

Aerial view of a Perth road at sunset

Are you thinking of installing rapid DC chargers for your business in Western Australia? Here’s how you could potentially save tens of thousands of dollars and generate additional revenue.

The Charge Up Workplace EV Charging Grants offer an amazing opportunity for WA businesses to install EV charging stations at around 50% of the full cost. Round Two of the grant applications is coming soon with new incentives for rapid DC EV chargers. So, now’s a great time to get up to speed on the details.

Keep reading for the benefits, how to apply, and tips for budget-friendly installation.

Just want a quick quote for the grant? Contact us here.

Would your business site suit a rapid DC EV charger?

Rapid DC EV chargers suit busy locations near main roads and highways for public EV charging and businesses with a fleet of electric vehicles. Some of the suggested uses for the grants include:

  • Company fleets made up of multiple electric vehicles.
  • Business car parks where employees, clients and/or visitors might want to charge their EVs.
  • Destination charging where people spend a few hours during the day. These could include destinations like wineries, cafés, beaches, swimming pools and cultural attractions.

While the first round of the WA grants were for 7 kW to 22 kW AC chargers (Level 2), the second round will also incentivise rapid DC charging (Level 3). If you’re successful at applying, the grant can cover around half of the costs to purchase and install EV chargers. This also includes most of the cost of smart charging software for two years.

Advantages for businesses with rapid DC chargers

Lots of EV drivers will actively seek out rapid DC charging sites, because they can charge their vehicles faster. These chargers sites can offer advantages for lots of businesses, as well as being particularly profitable if available for public charging. For example:

  • Benefits for tourism and hospitality businesses:
    Your business could benefit from more customers who are encouraged to visit your premises. You could generate revenue by charging for power use, or offer free charging as an added incentive.
  • Benefits for business carparks:
    Rapid DC chargers in your organisation’s carpark can demonstrate your brand’s commitment to sustainability. This can enhance brand perception to visitors, employees and the general public.
  • Benefits for business fleets:
    And if you are running a business fleet, the benefits can include fast charging, greater productivity, and a happier employee base.
Cafe customers enjoying a meal while they wait for their EV to be charged with a rapid DC charger.
Rapid DC chargers could inspire customers to visit your premises, bringing in extra revenue and interest in your business.

How much potential revenue are we talking with a rapid DC charger?

While the revenue from a rapid DC charger will depend on your site traffic and how much you charge, let’s look at an example with one of our own clients:

A NSW client is looking to install an 80kW DC charger at their brewery site. If this charger sees an average of just 4 hours of use per day, it will potentially generate $64,240.00 revenue per year for the business.

So, who’s eligible for the WA Charge Up grants?

A range of businesses could be eligible for Round Two of the Charge Up Workplace EV Charging Grants, including:

  • Small (<20 employees) and medium (20-199 employees) enterprises
  • Registered not-for-profits
  • Local government authorities.

What else do I need to factor in when applying?

Considering likely charging hours
The Charge Up grants are focused on chargers that will be predominantly used during daylight hours (9am to 5pm) and after the evening peak (from 9pm to 9am). So if most charging use is likely to be largely between 5pm and 9pm (say, for a restaurant), you may not be eligible. Or may need to increase the cost to charge during peak grid demand periods. However, there are a lot of businesses that could benefit from off-peak-hour charging.

Meeting the installation deadlines
Round One applicants had a maximum of 180 days to install the charger(s) after being approved. Keep in mind any time considerations that may apply for Round Two. It’s important that the provider and installer you choose will be able to meet any deadline requirements. The official grant page has further details on guidelines and eligibility.

Can I charge for rapid DC charger use under the grant rules?

If you’re approved for a Charge Up grant, you can choose who can use the chargers you install. You could offer free charging; keep charging available to employees only; or charge drivers through EV charging software that supports billing. As an example, charging on average 4 hours per day using our Smappee EV Base Ultra, an 80kW DC charging station, businesses could generate $176 of revenue per day. Multiply that by 365 days in a year and you’re looking at $65k (before factoring in running costs). This is based on a standard rate of $0.55 per kWh, which is quite normal for rapid charging stations.

Approved suppliers for the Charge Up Grant

Businesses applying to the Charge Up Workplace EV Charging Grants will need to submit a quote for EV chargers and software from the approved list of providers.

Vista Power Technologies is listed as a turn key solution provider and works closely with local companies to deliver a complete package.

Request Smappee EV Line Brochure

Complete the form and we’ll email you Smappee’s latest EV Line brochure including all of their commercial charging station options.

* indicates required
Smappee EV Line Product Brochure

What’s the go with EV charging software?

Eligible businesses will be required to use one of the approved EV charging software options in order to get grant funding. This allows you to provide data on how your chargers are being used, but can also help you manage energy use, detect maintenance issues, and manage billing (if you intend to charge).

VPT is an approved supplier of Chargefox and ChargeN’Go software for Round Two. We recommend these software options because they make billing and management simple and are both popular with EV drivers. Chargefox and ChargeN’Go are both compatible with the Smappee EV Ultra DC fast chargers, which are our recommended hardware product for rapid-charge business applications.

Obtaining quotes for your application

You can get multiple quotes from multiple approved providers when applying for the WA grants. It’s helpful to know that some providers, like our team at Vista Power Technologies, can put together a turn key quote that includes everything from products and install, to software. This can make it a lot easier to get started with your application.

There can be a few important details for DC chargers such as dynamic load management and potential power upgrades, so working with a reputable provider will help you get the best out of your investment.   

Because a quote will involve assessing existing electrical infrastructure, a site inspection is required. It’s best to book this in as early as possible to ensure you can submit your grant application in time.

Not all EV chargers are compatible with all EV charging software options, so it can be helpful to start with the software you want to use and go on to explore compatible charging hardware.

Need finance for your rapid DC charger install?

While the Charge Up grants cover around 50% of the overheads to install rapid DC chargers, these chargers can cost more to install than the slower AC chargers. We are in touch with reputable finance providers that we can recommend if you are looking to finance the costs for supply and installation or your chargers.

How to apply

Round Two of the Charge Up Workplace EV Charging Grants is set to open for applications in November 2023. 

You can sign up to the grant mailing list to receive alerts about Round Two and future funding rounds.

Once Round Two applications are open, you’ll be able to apply through the official online portal.  

And if you have any questions about EV chargers or finding the right option for your site, you can contact our team at Vista Power Technologies. We’re Melbourne-based and assist businesses all across Australia with smart charging solutions.

Share Post

Recent Posts

Interested in applying for the grant?

Get in touch for expert advice and to organise a quote for your submission.

Phone us on 1300 878 287 or send a message…

Complete and submit the enquiry form below and we’ll get back to you ASAP

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Posted on by

8 Smappee-Compatible EV CPO Services in Australia  

8 Smappee-Compatible EV CPO Services in Australia  

It can feel like there are almost as many CPO services as there are EV chargers – so how do you choose the right option? You’ll no doubt want an easy way to manage EV billing and charging for your public site, business, strata apartment block or anywhere else you might have Smappee charging stations installed.

Keep reading for our roundup of the best Smappee-compatible CPO services available in Australia right now.

What is an EV CPO service?

A Charge Point Operator service, or CPO platform, is software that enables you to remotely manage and monetise multiple charging stations. Think of it as your EV back office system, where you can see information like status, power consumption and costs. Some platforms can help you to manage public EV charging, some help to manage EV fleet charging, and some can be used to manage multi-user accounts like those at strata properties.

A CPO service can also be referred to as an EV charging station management solution (CSMS) or charging management platform.

What criteria should a EV CPO service meet?

If your site is in Australia, it’s important to look for a CPO service that:

  • Is available and supported in Australia.
  • Supports the remote management of your specific electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE). For example, you may be looking for a CPO platform that’s compatible with the Smappee EV Wall or Smappee EV Base.
  • Suits your charging, billing and analytics purposes. Apartment blocks can have different needs to fleet charging.
  • Is compatible with the Open Charge Point Protocol 1.6 (OCPP 1.6) for integration.
  • Is intuitive to use on your smartphone or browser, and
  • Is approved for grants in your area, if you’re applying for any.

So based on the criteria above, here are eight leading options. Pricing guides were correct at the time of writing, but be sure to check directly with the provider for up-to-date pricing.

7 top CPO platforms in Australia you can use with Smappee

1. Chargefox

Suitable for: Public EV charging, shopping centres, retailers, councils, commercial fleets, apartment buildings.

Chargefox is Australia’s largest EV charging network, managing over 10,000 EV charge sessions a month. Not only do they have an intuitive app for drivers, but they also have software for charge point operators that enables real-time monitoring and remote management of charging stations. You can set dynamic pricing for on-peak and off-peak hours, and manage RFID cards across commercial fleets.

Chargefox is already being used to manage chargers at major shopping centres around the country and is set to be used for WA’s new 7,000km EV charging network. We’ve set up many solutions already using Smappee and Chargefox, so we know it’s a solid choice in Australia.

Pricing guide:

Chargefox offers a tiered pricing model, starting at $330 per annum per charge port for public subscription and $165.00 per annum per charge port for private subscription. Visit the website for a quote.

2. Noodoe EV OS

Suitable for: Public EV charging, commercial fleets, public fleets, resellers, hospitality, residential charging, retailers.

The Noodoe EV operating system is used across 14 countries, and the company has an office in Queensland as well as the US and Taiwan. Noodoe has a clean and modern interface for charge point operators, where you can see real-time snapshots of your charging stations and automate payment processing and smart scheduling.

Noodoe is structured with add-on microservices that you can use to meet your needs. For example:

  • Retailers could offer free charging voucher codes to attract EV drivers to local sales.
  • Building managers can customise their billing system to be prepaid or postpaid.
  • Hotels can create integrated membership systems with different rates for different users, or offer charging codes to guests or VIPs.
  • CPOs can enable Load Management to ideally balance multiple chargers without needing electrical upgrades.

Another great feature is Noodoe’s smart alert and self-recovery system, which helps provide peace of mind about your charging points.

Pricing guide:

Pricing begins at $149.99 per annum per charge port, plus a percentage of each public transaction. You can visit the website to book a demo and request a quote.

3. Charge N Go

Suitable for: Public EV chargers, shopping centres, retailers, councils, commercial fleets, apartment buildings.

Charge N Go EVNet provides a solution for private, shared and commercial charger management. Its modular structure means it can be customised to suit your application, whether you’re managing charging stations at a shopping centre or within a strata property. This platform is feature-rich with automated billing and payments, load management, API integration and flexible user management. You can also gain insights into your charging management through usage, costing and charging session analysis.

The Charge N Go platform has been used for clients including Knight Frank, apartment blocks and condominiums, and the Lumi rideshare service.

Pricing guide:

Charge N Go’s platform fee is $275.00 platform fee per annum per connector for Public EV charging. For apartments and business use, enquire about the community package at $225 per annum per connector. There’s a management fee of $0.10 per kWh, and an optional 4G data package is also available.

4. GreenFlux

Suitable for: Public EV chargers, shopping centres, retailers, commercial fleets.

Headquartered in the Netherlands, GreenFlux has been around for over a decade and is used across five continents. GreenFlux’s CPO software is a solid option for smart EV charging, so you can have multiple cars charging simultaneously without overloading the grid. You can also use GreenFlux to easily handle reimbursement billing for employees, wholesale billing to other CPOs, and retail billing complete with invoices for customers.

With APIs and a white label option for their Charge Assist app, GreenFlux is flexible enough to suit a range of different EV charging needs.

Pricing guide:

GreenFlux pricing depends on the solution you require – visit the GreenFlux website for a demo and tailored pricing.

5. Charge Hub

Suitable for: Public charging, electric bus fleets, electric forklift fleets, solar carports, apartment buildings.

Charge Hub is a locally supported CPO software option, with a base in Brisbane and coverage across Australia and New Zealand. Charge Hub promises up-time availability of 99.9%, together with dynamic load management and options for fixed or dynamic tariffs.

Charge Hub gives you options for payment management, so you can choose pay-as-you-go or invoice driver accounts collectively at the end of the month. You can also set different prices for different groups of users, which is useful if you want to offer free charging for staff while charging the general public at the same station. It’s easy to see data such as time spent charging, per kWh used and idle time.

Pricing guide:

Charge Hub has tiered pricing, starting at $280+GST per annum per charge port for public access and $180+GST per annum per charge port for semi-public access. Visit the website to arrange a quote.

6. Chargebay

Suitable for: Public EV charging, commercial fleets, public fleets, apartments, retailers.

Chargebay offers a comprehensive EV billing and management platform. You can set flexible pricing modes across different customer groups based on a flat rate per charge, charging or waiting time, location, or by other criteria. Or, you might prefer to simply maintain reporting and access control for a fleet at a lower rate without the bells and whistles. Chargebay supports dynamic load balancing to help you get the best out of your existing EV charging setup (and rooftop solar systems, if applicable), and reporting makes it easy to keep an eye on what’s happening with your charging points.  

Chargebay also offers 24/7 customer support, with physical locations in WA and Victoria.

Pricing guide:

Chargebay offers tiered pricing plans based on one year and two year subscriptions, with the ability to choose from Reporting and Access Control only or Paid Charging Sessions depending on how you plan to manage and monetise your chargers. Visit the website to request a quote.

7. WeVolt

Suitable for: Individuals and businesses wanting to monetise their charging stations with a simple solution, including strata buildings.

WeVolt is a homegrown startup originating in Perth, Western Australia. WeVolt launched in August 2023 so it’s still early days, but the platform allows individuals and businesses to manage and receive real-time payments from their EV charging stations. You can use the fresh-looking app, or log into the browser-based platform to see electricity usage and payment details. WeVolt seems well suited for those wanting a simple solution without complex management features, though the company is able to set up custom solutions for large networks.

Pricing guide:

WeVolt has a tiered pricing plan for those with single chargers, multiple chargers and at the enterprise level. The best way is to get in touch for pricing via the website.

8. CasaCharge

Suitable for: Home EV charging, apartment charging, public charging and fleet charging.

CasaCharge is another Australian CPO solution compatible with Smappee EV chargers, which promises lower operating costs with its billing and load management service. It’s simple to log in and view usage statistics, sessions in progress and manage RFID cards. Phone and email support is local to Sydney, so you’re never on your own.

Pricing guide:

Visit the CasaCharge website to request a quote and get further details on pricing.

If you provide a Smappee-compatible CPO service in Australia that’s not yet listed, please get in touch so we can add your service!

Which CPO services are approved for the NSW EV Destination Charging Grant and WA Charge Up Grant?

WA and NSW currently have grant schemes in place to co-fund the cost of EV charging infrastructure in these states. In order to be eligible for either, you’ll need to choose approved charging EV chargers and EV charger software. You can check the individual lists below.

Approved list for the NSW EV Destination Charging Grant >

Approved list for the WA Charge Up Workplace Grant >

Vista Power Technologies is an approved provider for both the WA and NSW grants, and can help with both private and public subscriptions. If you’re looking for the right EV charging solution for your site, we can help you. Contact us today to get started.

Share Post

Recent Posts

Get in Touch for More Info

Phone us on 1300 878 287 or send a message…

Complete and submit the enquiry form below and we’ll get back to you ASAP

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Posted on by — 1 Comment

NSW EV Fleet Charging Infrastructure Prequalification Scheme

Smappee EV Base Fleet Charging electric car station public charging business

NSW EV Fleet Charging Infrastructure Prequalification Scheme

Smappee EV Base Fleet Charging

The New South Wales (NSW) government has announced the launch of the Electric Vehicle (EV) Fleet Charging Infrastructure Prequalification Scheme, inviting applications from companies seeking to be prequalified to deliver EV charging infrastructure. The scheme, which will be open for an initial term of three years, is part of the government’s commitment to transitioning its fleet of passenger vehicles to electric by 2030. Achieving this target will require EV charging infrastructure to be set up at vehicle base locations such as government sites and depots.

The scheme is open to companies with experience in delivering EV charging infrastructure, including EV chargers, load management controllers, and other hardware. Applicants must have a current Supplier Hub profile on the buy.nsw website and must accept the scheme’s conditions and satisfy all requirements as a condition of prequalification. Prequalification under the scheme does not guarantee work or receipt of opportunities to make submissions, and engagements or work of any kind or quantity will not be offered.

The NSW government has set out goals to have 50% of newly purchased or leased passenger vehicles to be electric by 2026, and 100% of newly purchased or leased passenger vehicles to be electric by 2030. This is part of the government’s broader NSW Electric Vehicle Strategy, which aims to accelerate the uptake of EVs in the state. The prequalification scheme is an important step in achieving these targets and presents an exciting opportunity for businesses offering EV charging solutions.

Companies interested in applying for prequalification under the scheme can find more information on the buy.nsw website. Enquiries can be directed to the scheme manager via email at NSWGFleetElectrification@treasury.nsw.gov.au or by phone on 1800-679-289.

Share Post

Recent Posts

Get in Touch for More Info

Phone us on 1300 878 287 or send a message…

Complete and submit the enquiry form below and we’ll get back to you ASAP

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Posted on by

$20 Million in EV Charging Grants for Regional NSW

Smappee EV Base Surrounded by Sunflowers

$20 Million in EV Charging Grants for Regional NSW

Looking for a way to attract more visitors to your region, and encourage them to linger longer? A new NSW grant could help you do just that. The NSW Government is investing $20 million to co-fund the purchase and installation of EV chargers, to support eligible regional NSW destinations.

Installing EV chargers could be a great way of driving tourism and business growth – so here are the must-know details.

What exactly are the NSW Destination Charging Grants?

These grants are part of a larger strategy by the NSW Government to help grow the electric vehicle (EV) charging network while supporting regional areas. Grants will range from $2,000 to $40,000 per site and provide:

  • 75% towards the cost of an eligible 7 kW and/or 22 kW electric vehicle charger(s) 
  • 75% towards the cost of installation (capped at $1,000 per charger) 
  • 50% towards a 2-year EV charger software subscription from the EV charger software list.

Why consider applying?

There are a bunch of great reasons to consider applying. A grant could help to:

  • Attract new visitors to your site and local area
  • Encourage visitors to stay longer and explore what the region has to offer
  • Enhance the visitor experience
  • Bring in business from wider promotions and EV trail maps
  • Foster growth within the local economy, and
  • Support lower carbon emissions.

Think there’s only a limited market for EV drivers? Think again.

The NSW Electric Vehicle Strategy aims to increase EV sales to 52% of all new car sales by 2030-31, and the vast majority of new car sales by 2035.

Who’s eligible?

A range of regional destination types throughout regional NSW may be eligible for the grants, including visitor information centres, cafés and restaurants, hotels and motels, holiday parks, galleries, museums and attractions.

Your site will need to be located in an eligible regional local government area (LGA). There’s a large list of eligible LGAs ranging from Albury City Council through to Yass Valley Council.

There are other eligibility requirements too, which you can find in the charging grant guidelines.

Click/Tap to view eligible local government areas

How do I find the right products?

There’s a handy list of EV chargers and EV charger software that are approved for the grant applications. The right product and software for your site may depend on specific factors such as power supply to your site, where the car park/s are to be situated, and the style you’re looking for.

Good to know:

Here at VPT we supply and install the Smappee EV Wall (wall-mounted) and Smappee EV Base (pedestal-mounted) charging stations, which are both approved for the NSW Destination Charging Grants. As well as being feature-packed, these chargers also have a minimalistic style which ties in well with modern, classic and heritage buildings.

Smappee EV Charging Strata Car Park
Left to right – Smappee’s EV Wall, EV Base, and EV Base Ultra (DC)

You’ll need to obtain a commercial quote for your chosen EV charger to include with your grant application. We’d be happy to provide site-specific guidance and an obligation-free quote to help you with this process.

What about billing software…

We can also support charger management and consumer billing with our very own VistaCharge app. You can check it out at vistacharge-app.com.au. Also available for your Android or IOS.

The VistaCharge app allows users to start a charging session just by scanning a QR code on the charging station. Once the session is complete the platform will bill their credit card. The charging station owner will then be reimbursed on a monthly or quarterly basis.

VistaCharge App
VistaCharge App available on the Google Play Store

Do I pay for the electricity?

The cost of electricity used by the chargers will be covered by the charging provider, not the site host. If you’re running a site such as a hotel or motel, with the right product you could potentially choose to charge an extra fee (say, $15) per night to customers who require access to a charger.

Round one applications are now open There could be great benefits to applying, but it can also be challenging to understand which EV charger and software will be right for your site. The VPT team would be happy to help you clarify your requirements, assess potential load control and provide a commercial quote for supply and install.

All of the information outlined above was accurate at the time of publishing this page. For full up-to-date eligibility and grant information, be sure to head over to the official grant page.

Share Post

Recent Posts

Get in Touch for More Info

Phone us on 1300 878 287 or send a message…

Complete and submit the enquiry form below and we’ll get back to you ASAP

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Posted on by

ACT Sustainable Household Scheme and Smart EV Charging with Smappee

Smappee EV Wall Solar Charging System
Smappee EV Wall Solar Charging System
Smappee EV Wall with Home Energy Monitoring and Optimised Solar Charging

Some amazing news if you own residential property in the ACT: The Sustainable Household Scheme is now live!

This brand-new State Government initiative provides zero-interest loans of between $2,000 to $15,000 to eligible households in the ACT, designed to help homeowners invest in energy efficient home upgrades. These loans are provided through loan partner Brighte and can be made payable over 1-10 years with no fees or interest, excluding $4.99 late payment fee. With the pilot program now launched, now might be the perfect time to invest in smart EV charging for your home.

Which home upgrades does the ACT Sustainable Household Scheme cover?

If eligible, you could take a 0% interest loan out for:

Category A: Energy generation, storage & EV charging​​​  Category B: Replacement of gas or inefficient electric appliancesComing soon: Category C : Electric Vehicles (EVs)
Household rooftop solar PV systems
Household battery storage systems
Electric Vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure		Electric heating & cooling systems – reverse cycle
Hot Water Heat Pumps (HWHP)
Efficient electric stovetops

Currently, you can choose to bundle options from categories A or B up to a maximum loan of $15,000. And if you need to upgrade to 3-phase power to support these new systems, you could also choose to include this upgrade within your 0% interest loan amount.

What’s the right EV charging system for my home?

You can search the Scheme’s website to request quotes from different providers (including us!) and request quotes for EV charging infrastructure.

One brilliant option is the Smappee EV Wall, which supports solar-only or solar-optimised EV charging, home energy monitoring and smart scheduling to suit your driving needs. This system also enables load-balancing if multiple chargers are installed. The European-designed Smappee EV Wall looks great and it’s very flexible in its settings. For example, you could choose to simply plug and charge; limit and track usage via RFID cards; or even monetise your charging station if you so choose.

Example of the Smappee dashboard reporting card showing solar only charging for a Tesla Model 3

What are some ways I could save money over time with the ACT Sustainable Household Scheme?

  • Make the most of feed-in tariffs with a new rooftop solar system
  • Save on petrol costs by driving an electric vehicle (EV)
  • Maximise your savings from solar power through optimised EV charging
  • Minimise your heating, cooling and cooking costs so you receive smaller power bills
  • Capture your solar panel production for use at night with a battery system.

The Sustainable Household Scheme is set to be open to new applications for five years, but consider the advantages of acting early. By locking in today’s prices with a 0% interest loan, you could potentially pay off your home upgrades far sooner through those cost savings. Sounds smart to us!

How do I get started?

Head on over to the Brighte website to find eligibility details and suppliers in your area. There’s also a handy buyer’s guide to investing in an electric vehicle charging system for your home, and full terms and conditions can be found at the official ACT Sustainable Household Scheme website.

Of course – if you have any questions for our team at Vista Power Technologies about EV charging or home energy monitoring, simply get in touch.

Share Post

Recent Posts

Get in Touch for More Info

Phone us on 1300 878 287 or send a message…

Complete and submit the enquiry form below and we’ll get back to you ASAP

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Posted on by

Developers Combine EV Charging & Energy Monitoring with Smappee

EV Charging & Energy Monitoring with Smappee EV Wall

Developers Combine EV Charging & Energy Monitoring with Smappee

EV Charging & Energy Monitoring with Smappee EV Wall
Smappee EV Wall with Home Energy Monitoring and Optimised Solar Charging

Residential developers around Australia are capitalising on the demand for smarter, more sustainable homes – and they’re using one neat little box to achieve both. Smappee EV Wall combines EV charging and energy monitoring capabilities in one sleek yet richly-featured system. It’s proving an ideal option for freestanding homes and multi-unit developments alike.

Why are sustainable features becoming so popular with home buyers?

The demand for smart and sustainable homes is on the rise. Energy efficient homes can fetch higher prices: around 2.4 or 9.4% higher respectively for a six- or seven-star rated home, compared to a three-star home. Home buyers are increasingly aware of both the environmental and cost savings that a sustainable home can bring. It simply makes sense that developers would meet this demand. However – until recently it’s been a complex endeavour to include both energy monitoring and EV charging within new homes.

Smappee EV Wall is changing this. This small, attractive system barely takes up a small 30cm square on a wall and complements any architectural style. It looks great – but it’s what’s under the hood that has Aussie developers so invested.

What’s different about Smappee EV Wall?

This European-designed charging station is unique in its design and functionality. Whether you’re an architect, builder or developer, consider these features for your new builds. Your clients and home buyers are sure to love the benefits.

Optimised charging with solar power and off-peak rates

As an electric vehicle is plugged in to charge, the Smappee EV Wall can use Artificial Intelligence to optimise charging from solar power (if the building is equipped) and when the lowest electricity tariffs apply during off-peak times. Because the system can charge up to seven times faster than a regular socket, this supports faster charging when costs are lower. Smart charging schedules can be fully customised based on the home buyer’s lifestyle and driving needs, using the Smappee app or dashboard.

Example of the Smappee dashboard reporting card showing solar only charging for a Tesla Model 3

Cost energy analysis and energy monitoring

Home buyers will be pleased that they can monitor their charging sessions, energy consumption, production and costs in real time through the app or dashboard. This makes it simple for households to keep their energy usage and costs low, adjusting settings to suit their preferences.

The Smappee EV Wall is fitted with overload protection, which means blown fuses won’t be a concern when charging a vehicle from home. The equivalent model for commercial applications, called the EV Wall Business, can also support dynamic load balancing for both overload protection and solar-only or solar-optimised charging. This system is ideal for multi EVSE installations.

Because the EV Wall comes with an integrated Smappee Infinity system, this can also be set to monitor and control power consumption across the household. The system will also be expandable in the future to include water monitoring.

Example of the reporting included with the Smappee smartphone app

Multiple activation options to suit different development types

The Smappee EV Wall is incredibly flexible for residential homes because it offers multiple activation options.

Smappee EV Charging Session Types
Session activation method options available on the Smappee dashboard

Plug and charge

If the plug and charge option is chosen, the system will be set to simply activate when any electric vehicle is plugged in. Anyone can plug their car into the charger and start charging. This activation method best suits applications where the charging station will be installed inside a garage or a private parking area. This method can be used with either simple charging or with smart charging enabled.

Swipe and charge

Swipe and charge provides access via an RFID card and gives greater control over who can use the charging station, enabling you to install a station in a shared area or on the front wall of a garage. Anyone with an authorised Smappee Smart Charge Card can plug in their car and wave the card in front of the light to start charging. This can be invaluable if you need to keep ‘freeloaders’ from using the system; for example, in the carpark of an inner-city apartment block. The RFID cards can also be linked back to each user to track usage or calculate billing.

Tip: For multiple charger installations such as in a hotel, motel or large carpark, the EV Wall Business and EV Base provide ideal capabilities.

Scan and charge

This third option enables the homeowner to monetise their Smappee EV Wall. Anyone with an electric vehicle can choose to plug in the connecter and scan a QR code to start charging, using an app to pay by Mastercard or Visa. The homeowner can choose to provide discounts right up to 100% for certain users. Scan and charge involves setting up a payment agreement via Smappee, so the homeowner can receive any payments periodically.

Homeowners can also switch between activation methods to suit their needs. For example, if they have a charging station outdoors at their holiday home and don’t want anyone using it while they’re away, they can simply disable the system. If they forget to flick it back off at the end of their holiday, no problem – they can control the system remotely!

Remote monitoring and EV charger control

When residential developers install a Smappee EV Wall in a new home, they can promise convenience to whoever buys the property. The resident will be able to use the Smappee app or dashboard to control the state and output of their charging system from anywhere with internet access. They can remotely start and stop charging, control the speed of charging, and update smart charging schedules to run at optimal times. The Smappee app is intuitive and designed to support both simple and advanced customisation.

Integration options for home automation

The Smappee ecosystem supports an exciting range of possibilities for home automation. Certain charging stations, thermostats, appliances and battery storage systems can be connected with the Works with Smappee network. The ecosystem also supports integration with third-party systems using IFTTT, Home Assistant, and some custom code on a Raspberry Pi.

No ongoing app reporting or control costs

Developers can install Smappee products without any concern about locking the home buyer into costly subscriptions, because there are no ongoing reporting or control costs involved. Once the system is installed, the resident is in control and can access their energy usage and controls via the Smappee app or dashboard. There is no subscription fee for Smappee users.

The Smappee EV Wall station can be installed in under an hour and works with any typical electrical supply, including 1-phase power up to 7.4 kW or 3-phase up to 22 kW. It’s available with a Type 2 socket, or a tethered 2.5m or 8m type 2 charging cable to suit a range of parking scenarios.

Most importantly, it provides future-ready EV charging & energy monitoring for long-term value.

The Smappee EV Wall is a simple, smart and sustainable way to help your properties stand out in the market

To discuss solutions for your development project within Australia, contact the team at Vista Power Technologies on 1300 878 287. We’re equipped to support implementations of any size, from single homes and townhouses to high-density buildings.

Share Post

Recent Posts

Get in Touch for More Info

Phone us on 1300 878 287 or send a message…

Complete and submit the enquiry form below and we’ll get back to you ASAP

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.