Schneider Electric Launches New Level 2 Residential EV Charger with Integrated Load Management

Key Takeaways

Schneider Electric has launched the Charge, a Level 2 residential EV charger aimed at optimizing home electrical capacities.
The charger uses SmartAmp technology to dynamically adjust charging speed based on household electricity usage.
It offers 11.5 kW/48 A output and features a hardwired design, with installation support from Qmerit.

Schneider Electric Introduces Smart EV Charger

Schneider Electric has introduced its latest innovation, the Charge, a Level 2 residential EV charger, now available in the U.S. and Canada. This product addresses a common issue faced by homeowners—many older residences lack the electrical capacity to support high-powered applications such as EV charging. Consequently, installing a Level 2 charger often necessitates costly electrical service upgrades or panel modifications.

The Charge features Schneider’s SmartAmp technology, which provides dynamic load management. This innovation monitors household electrical consumption in real-time, effectively adjusting the charging speed of the EV charger when other appliances draw power. Such a feature ensures that homeowners can optimize their charging output without the need for additional monitoring devices or complex system components.

With a robust charging output of 11.5 kW/48 A, the Schneider Charge is not only efficient but also compliant with Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP) 1.6, catering to managed-load installations as per UL 3141 standards. The charger is equipped with both NACS (J3400) and J1772 connectors and is designed for hardwired installation, with a plug-in version expected to be available in early 2027. Additionally, the unit comes with a 25-foot charging cable, facilitating versatile installation options within a home.

Shawn Bonacorsi, Head of Electrification Solutions at Schneider Electric North America, emphasized the importance of the Charge, noting that as homeowners increasingly adopt electric vehicles (EVs) and high-power electrical technologies, many find their current electrical systems inadequate to meet rising demand. The Schneider Charge aims to alleviate this challenge by enabling Level 2 charging in homes without significant electrical upgrades. By integrating load management capabilities directly into the charger, Schneider Electric simplifies the installation process and minimizes disruption for homeowners.

Overall, the Schneider Charge represents a significant advancement in making home EV charging more accessible and practical, ultimately supporting the growing trend of electrification within residential sectors.

The content above is a summary. For more details, see the source article.