Complete review of the Grizzl-E home EV charger

If you’ve bought an electric vehicle (EV) recently or are considering one, you’re not alone! According to McKinsey, if EV sales continue on their current trajectory, they’re likely to account for over half of U.S. passenger vehicle sales by 2030. Having an EV charger at your home allows you to more efficiently and quickly charge your EV while managing and monitoring your charging and energy usage. (Bonus: if you have solar, you can power your car with the sun!)

United Chargers is a Canadian electric vehicle supply equipment (EVSE) company that creates options for both home and commercial use. Originally founded as a software company in 2001, United Charger just began focusing on EVSE research, development, and manufacturing in 2019. In early 2020, they launched their popular Grizzl-E line of EV chargers – in this article, we’ll cover this line, including the Grizzl-E Classic, Smart, and Duo models.

Before diving into Grizzl-E home EV chargers specifically, it’s important to understand the different levels of home charging and how they vary. A Level 1 charger is just using a standard outlet at your home. To use this type of charger, you just use a standard 120-volt (V) wall outlet with a J1772 connector. However, Level 1 charging is very slow, only adding approximately 2-5 miles per hour to your range. A Grizzl-E home EV charger is a Level 2 charger: the standard for home EV charging. It allows you to charge much more quickly than a Level 1 charger, providing up to 30 miles of range per hour, depending on which EV you own. Level 2 charging is done with a 240V circuit, similar to what you use to power an electric oven or dryer.

Grizzl-E offers three main different home EV chargers: Classic, Smart, and Duo. The main difference between them is that the Classic is the standard charger, the Grizzl-E Smart charger connects to Wi-Fi and can be managed with an app, and the Duo enables you to charge two EVs at the same time on one circuit.

Key features of Grizzl-E home EV chargers

Wiring and EV compatibility

The Grizzl-E EV home chargers are compatible with all EV models as long as they can charge with a J1772 charge plug, which most EVs today have other than Teslas. However, Teslas do come with a J1772 adapter, so you can still charge your Tesla with this common Level 2 charge plug.

Convenience

The Grizzl-E EV home charger is adaptable and can be used with most home electrical systems. It also has customizable power output levels, though, unlike most other home EV chargers, you'll need to remove the front cover of the charger and adjust the DIP switches – the series of switches in a single unit – inside manually. When you order your Grizzl-E EV charger, you can specify the power output setting (16A, 24A, 32A, or 40A) that you want it set to initially.

This Canadian-based manufacturer also has built and tested their chargers for extreme conditions, so these are versatile enough to install either indoors or outdoors in most homes, apartments, and condo complexes. (Keep in mind that if you live in a multi-unit complex, you will need to confirm with your HOA or complex that you can install an EV charger at your parking spot). The Grizzl-E’s cable is lightweight and 24 feet long, providing flexibility in where you install it – whether in your garage, carport, or parking garage.

Connectivity

While the Grizzl-E Classic and Duo chargers don’t have any Wi-Fi capabilities, the Grizzl-E Smart home EV charger connects to Wi-Fi, so you can manage and monitor charging via an app.

Warranty

The Grizzl-E home EV chargers come with a 3-year- or 5-year equipment warranty (depending on your selection) to protect you against defective equipment. Some specifics on the Grizzl-E warranty include:

• Refurbished Grizzl-E chargers purchased from their website come with a 3-year replacement warranty.

• The Grizzl-E Duo chargers aren’t available with a 5-year warranty.

• For most Grizzl-E chargers, you can select the warranty length (3 or 5 years) when you purchase your Grizzl-E charger.

• Adding on two years to get the 5-year warranty costs approximately $100 more than purchasing the chargers with a 3-year warranty.

• United Chargers also covers shipping and handling expenses for the replacement and defective units.

The ChargeLab app

Unlike many other home EV chargers, there is no Grizzl-E specific app. They promote that it can work with any OCPP 1.6j application. Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP) is an open-source communication protocol for networked electric vehicle chargers. This means that the Grizzl-E Smart can work with any charger management software that uses these protocols to direct Smart Charging, so they plan to roll out additional verified network providers over time.

Currently, there’s one app available for download: the ChargeLab app, which is available on the Apple Store or Google Play Store and allows you to set charging schedules and participate in various utility-backed EV charging programs.

Image source: Grizzl-E website

Additional Grizzl-E home EV charger features

The Grizzl-E website also notes an additional option will be available soon: a Grizzl-E Mini, designed as a compact, portable EV charger for at home and on the go (pricing information is not yet available).

Refurbished Grizzl-E chargers are also available on their website (though availability may change over time). These are thoroughly tested and have the latest firmware. The charger is in perfect operating condition but may show very minor signs of wear.

The Grizzl-E chargers cost between $459 and $899. They also currently have refurbished options available on their website for $369.

Keep in mind that you’ll also have EV charger installation costs, as you’ll want a trusted, licensed, and experienced electrician to ensure your charger is correctly installed. According to Qmerit, most standard EV home charger installations cost between $799 and $1,999 (excluding the equipment itself). Additionally, depending on your home’s electrical panel, floor plan, and wiring, you may need additional wiring, so your costs may increase.

Overall, the Grizzl-E home EV charger is a good value for the price, so many EV drivers and industry experts recommend buying it. The chargers do have some limitations, especially when it comes to smart functionality, though.

One of the nice things about driving an EV compared to gas-powered vehicles (outside of avoiding the rising gas prices!) is that you can plug your car in overnight to charge and usually wake up to a full – or nearly full – charge. That said, the speed of your EV charger is helpful to know and consider. The Grizzl-E EV home charger can provide up to 28-30 miles of range per hour of charge on average, with up to 10 kW / 40A output, depending on your specific EV’s make and model.

Your Grizzl-E charger can charge at different speeds depending on a few factors, including:

• Which power output setting you select and use (16A, 24A, 32A, or 40A)

• The home charger model you select, which is usually based on your home’s circuit breaker or service panel capacity: higher output capabilities generally means quicker charging

• Your energy use: power may be limited at certain times because of other energy use in your home – limited usage equals slower charging

• The specific make, model, and options of your EV: bigger batteries will take longer to charge, efficiency varies by EV, and different EVs have different onboard charging capabilities, which will impact the charging speed

• The age of your EV’s battery: over time, your battery will degrade slightly, and its discharge rate (battery capacity / number of hours it takes to charge) will decrease

As with any EV charger, you’ll often want to get a licensed electrician to help install your Grizzl-E charger and ensure any additional supporting electrical work is covered, such as added wiring or upgrades to your electrical panel. While these can add to your cost, covering both the safety aspects and enabling long-term savings (compared to filling up a gas tank) will usually make driving and charging your EV at home financially beneficial.

Grizzl-E notes on their website that since this charger is a plug-in, you can install a simple 14-50R outlet and plug in your Grizzl-E charger. But, depending on your home’s electrical system, you may still want to consult a licensed electrician for safety. You can work with a trusted electrician near you or find a trusted installer in your area through Qmerit.

If you’re looking for a simple, durable home EV charger, the Grizzl-E might be a good fit for you. While they don’t include all the features that some other smart EV chargers offer (such as connecting to solar and overall home energy management), you will get a tested and well-reviewed charger to keep your EV charged up at home.

There’s sometimes a misconception that home EV charging is expensive. However, it’s substantially less expensive in most areas than buying gasoline – especially if you’re using solar to power your charging. Your exact comparison depends on the cost of electricity in your area and the make and model of EV you own (since various models have different ranges).

Going solar is one of the best long-term solutions to lower your home EV charging costs. You can use the EnergySage Marketplace to compare several quotes from pre-screened installers, helping you find a system that fits your needs at the right price. If you’re planning to charge an EV at home, add a note to your profile so installers can right size your solar system to sufficiently power your EV.