The first thing that strikes you as soon as you get the MaxiCharger out of the box is its looks. There are other chargers that dine out on their design (Andersen, Simpson and Partners) but Sevadis seems to be hiding its lamp under a bushel and underplays the design. This is a smart, untethered AC unit with a Type 2 connector. It’s unfussy, straightforward but undeniably smart and it’ll look good on your wall. There are shortcomings – no dynamic tariff integration and pretty limited solar compatibility – but it’s got a 99% reliability rating and there’s an extended warranty that’ll give you six years with this unit with cover and peace of mind.
The charge status screen on the front of the unit sets it apart. It details the status of your charge, what the range is and the scheduled charge, so you don’t have to look at the app for a quick update. It’s unique in that respect and everything is clear and easy to use. There’s no fuss with this charger – the materials used are of high quality, the potential for a six-year warranty is reassuring and you can either fit it on to the wall or put it on a pedestal which gives even greater flexibility for the location of your charger.
The app functionality that uses Autel technology is pretty basic. The design is certainly not fancy pants, but that is kind of reassuring because it’s straightforward to set up and you don’t need a computer degree to navigate through the options. In our experience some chargers, particularly those with full tariff integration, make it difficult to set up to get the cheapest rates and you can get lost in a labyrinth of pages. This, however, is easy: it’ll tell you when it’s charging, what the cost is, what your charge history is, how much it cost you, and it’ll allow you schedule charges. There’s also a map which can direct you to the Sevadis or Autel public chargers. There’s family sharing so others can use it and authorisation for use can be done via the app, RFID card and QR code. Connectivity wise, Sevadis has it all covered since the MaxiCharger uses WiFi, Ethernet or Bluetooth. It is worth talking about the solar function, which is there, but it does have limitations. It’s fine if your panels are generating 15 amps and nothing else is being used in the house because all 15 will go to the charger and if 5A is being used in the house 10A will go to the charger, but any less than that and it’s not worth it. Really, there needs to be a boost button to get the maximum out of it, but that functionality is not there yet.
In terms of the purchase price, it’s very competitive particularly when you consider the build quality. Long-term, rivals with dynamic tariff integration and solar integration hold the cards for ongoing affordability in terms of your electricity bill. However, we would say it has enough functionality for you to charge in the evening when prices are lower, so it’s not like you will be paying through the nose for your electricity: it just doesn’t give the full savings that chargers give when they are harvesting power when it’s at its cheapest.
It’s OZEV grant approved which covers 75% up £350 of the cost of purchasing and installation for people who live in a rented property or own a flat with dedicated off-street parking. It’s got all the standard safety stuff such as in-built pen protection (no need for a separate earth rod, which is pretty much the norm nowadays), and static and dynamic load balancing to stop overrides tripping your fusebox. You can stick it on pedestal or mount it on your wall, so you have flexibility in terms of where you locate the charger. Customer service looks good: Sevadis says it’ll answer the phone in 10 seconds if you call them. We tried it a few times and it met the test. This is a major plus point: often charging companies concentrate on delivering great products but neglect the after-sales stuff. Installation takes about 20 minutes, which is lightning fast, and looking at the installation videos sent to us, it does look like a very simple process.
It’s a good looking unit, and the tech underneath the skin means installation will be a cinch. Expect your engineer to be in and out within the hour. The app is simple to use, but there are few bells and whistles. It’s not without merit: family sharing and a map detailing locations of Autel public chargers are useful. After-sales services appears solid and reassuring, and we like the quality feel of the entire unit. A good investment that’ll stand the test of time.
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