You’ve configured your Tesla 3…now what? P2

As we were saying, you don’t have to install the Tesla-supplied HPWC.

Are you sure?

Yep. Granted, it looks pretty schmicko with it’s looping green light, but actually the HPWC is somewhat basic (sorry Elon).

The charging system on your Tesla isn’t proprietary, meaning you can use any after-market charger with a Type 2 plug to top up your battery.

And, in fact, compared to what’s available on the market the HPWC is kind of featureless given how advanced their cars are.

"Essentially, there’s no capacity to monitor energy usage, no wi-fi connectivity, it isn’t solar aware, can’t be load-balanced and – important for a range of applications – it can’t be monetised."

Image courtesy of efusco via Flickr.

If you live in a multi-occupancy dwelling or share a parking area, this last point is particularly relevant; when you approach your body corporate / neighbours / work colleagues and tell them you’re putting in a HPWC EV charging point, the first question is usually ‘how much power will it consume and what will the cost be?’ Which will leave you gulping the air like a fish out of water…because you can’t really accurately answer it.

OK. So what’s the alternative?

Well, we go on about it quite a bit, but that’s cos the zappi 7kW is a pretty awesome little robot.

Made in England by myenergi, we reckon the zappi beats the charging pants off the HPWC in a number of ways, but the absolute kicker is that the zappi will only use your self-generated solar power to charge your Tesla Model 3.

Example; you get some, plug your 3 into the zappi, go inside and stick the tellie, kettle and hairdryer on. Noisy, but just at that moment, the sun goes behind a cloud and your solar generation drops.

The zappi will adjust your EV charging rate to favour energy use within the house and, when the sun is shining again and your hair has dried while you’re drinking your cup of tea and watching GoT7, will up the charge rate to the car.

This means you’ll never / rarely pull power from the grid to charge your EV.

Game changer. However, the zappi 7kW can’t be metered and monetised for multi-dwelling living.

I live in an apartment block. So, what’s alternative number 2?

A lovely looking Swedish-made dual-port AURA from ChargeAmps, which we’ve installed for multi-dwelling and multi-storey carparks before, with – if we do say so ourselves – fantastic results.

This can be fully metered and monetised and we can even help you charm your body corporate into agreeing to the install.

Some top tips for new Tesla Model 3 owners before we go.

Whether you’re new to EVs or have been driving one for a while, we recommend you get your charging solutions ready early, well before the delivery of your 3 in August. In particular, we recommend you plan your installation budget – lots of great info on this at Drive Zero.

And finally, here’s a handy infographic to help and share:

And, as always, if you have any questions – whether you’re an existing or new customer – give us a call or drop us a line. We lurve talking EVs.