FAQs

  1. Are Bosch EV chargers compatible with my vehicle?
    1. Yes, all Bosch Level 2 charging stations use the North American standard SAE J1772 connector, used on most EVs in North America and worldwide. Tesla provides a J1772 adapter with each vehicle, which plugs into the J1772 connector, and into the vehicle.
  2. Can Bosch EV chargers be installed outside?
    1. Yes, all our Bosch charging stations are designed for indoor or outdoor installation. The EV300 & EV400 series are NEMA 3R rated for indoor and outdoor installation. The EV800 series (EV850, EV860, EV810) are NEMA 4X weatherproof rated to safely charge in snow, rain, sleet, ice, extreme heat and more. 4X is a more ruggedized rating versus 3R.
    2. The bollards on EV850 and EV860 have been installed in thousands of commercial applications nationwide and are made of 1/8” thick galvanized steel to protect against car bumpers, vandalization, shopping carts, weather and more. The EV850 and EV860 are ideal for parking lot charging. This durability could potentially save on installation costs as they often do not require additional impact protection to be installed.
  3. How long will it take to charge an EV vehicle?
    1. Charging times vary depending on the vehicle's onboard charger and battery size. The below estimates are based on 0 to 100 battery charging:
      1. Tesla Model 3 w/ 80 kWh battery would take nearly 50 hours with 110V household outlet, and 10.5 hours at Level 2 like the EV300 and EV400.
      2. Nissan Leaf w/ 40 kWh battery would take 24 hours with 110V household outlet, 5 hours with Level 2 like the EV300 and EV400
      3. Ford Focus, BMW i3, VW e-Golf w/ 30 kWh battery would be 18 hours with 110V household outlet, less than 4 hours at Level 2 like the EV300 and EV400

        4. The capacity of a battery is measured in kWh (kilowatt hours). The rate of charge is measured in kW (kilowatts). Time is in hours (h). Example: If the vehicle has a 60kWh battery and it is at 50% then we need to add 30kW(60kwh*.5) of power. If we charge it at 7kW then we simply divide the amount of power by the charge rate. 30kWh/7kw=4.3hours

  4. Many garages already have 220V/50amp outlets, but the plug on the appliance or equipment is a different configuration than the Bosch EV Chargers. Can shops change the plug to match the outlets already in place?
    1. Yes, Bosch chargers can be fitted with any plug the customer uses. The installation manuals for each respective product have instructions to install them. We provide the most common plug for the application. With EV300 (NEMA 14-50p) and EV400 (NEMA 6-50p) it is preinstalled. With EV800 the customer must choose the plug and location of where it exits the unit and install it.
  5. Do we have a list of electricians who install charging stations?
    1. Local electricians are best suited to conduct the installation. Any certified electrician can install the outlet required for a Bosch Level 2 charger. (Similar to a certified electrician installing an outlet for the dryer or stove in your home or a 220V outlet for welder or similar in a shop environment)
  6. Does Bosch perform shop certification for EV repair?
    1. No, this is something the OEMs do, not Bosch.
  7. Does Bosch offer customer pay solutions and/or digital and mechanical timers?
    1. No, Bosch doesn’t offer any cashless payment systems or timers, however, there are 3rd party accessories that work with our chargers including XCP and Liberty Hydra.
  8. Can you use the EV300 or EV400 with portable generators?
    1. Yes, the EV400 will work with any quality generator if it is grounded correctly.
    2. If the generator amp spec is below charger spec, would the charge rate just be slower than max rating?
      1. Charging stations do not control the voltage or current. If the power supply is unable to support the amount of current the vehicle is drawing, then the circuit breaker would trip.
      2. The vehicle can draw up to whatever the rated current of the charging station is. Charging stations are not able to determine what the capability of the circuit they are connected to is. If the circuit is below the maximum rating of the station, then when the vehicle starts to charge it will trip the breaker on the generator. The EV400 does have the ability for the user to manually dial down the maximum current. This is not intended to be a regular adjustment though. Usually, it is set when the charging station is installed
  9. How is the Schumacher SC1455/Morec/Duosido unit different from our level 2 chargers?
    1. Bosch EV300 and EV400 Level 2 chargers can charge vehicles at 7.6kW whereas the Schumacher/Morec unit charges at 3.6kW. The EV300 and EV400 can charge nearly twice as fast. The Schumacher/Morec unit is NOT UL listed whereas the EV300 and EV400 are certified to all relevant safety codes. Schumacher/Morec claim to have safety certification but they do not comply with all US safety standards as described by UL. They do include an adapter to use on a standard wall outlet, but this also is in violation of the UL code. Remember you are dealing with very high current and vehicle batteries and should only trust products that meet US electrical safety standards.
  10. Will the charger help me save money?
    1. Many utility companies offer special EV charging rate plans that can save you money when charging at off-peak times (usually at night). Check with your local utility if such a plan exists and get a charger with scheduling built in to charge at the best time/rate. Your local utility may also offer grants and/or rebates for home charging.
  11. How much will it cost?
    1. The average home EV charger costs $500-900. You will likely keep your home charger for many years. It’s worth protecting your investment in your EV with a charger that has passed safety tests and is backed by a warranty. Most inexpensive chargers are not safety tested. Choose a charger that keeps you, your car, and your home safe.
  12. Are there any federal or state incentive for installing an EV charging station(s)?
    1. Utility and government rebates, tax credits, grants, and incentives can make installing a 240V EV charging station even more affordable. Visit the Plug in America's website for a comprehensive list of government and local programs. Utility information is provided for your reference and is subject to change.
    2. Or check https://afdc.energy.gov/laws/search
  13. How do I know the EV300 and EV400 EV charging stations are charging my vehicle?
    1. The EV300 has a "charge" LED that will blink blue when charging. EV400 has a "status" light that will pulse blue when charging
  14. Can I plug my Bosch EV charging station into the wall?
    1. The EV400 is a plug-in charging station and the EV810 offers a plug-in option. Our other Bosch Level 2 EV charging stations are hardwired only. The EV300 and EV400 come with wall plugs installed for easy installation. The EV810 comes with an optional wall plug that can be configured specific to the installation requirements.
  15. What is the warranty on electric vehicle charging stations?
    1. There is a three-year warranty on all Bosch Level 2 charging stations (four-year warranty on EV400). Bosch charging stations are warranted against defects in materials and workmanship. Product specific warranty information is available in the "installation instructions" PDF on each product page.
  16. What is the average electric vehicle charging station cord length?
    1. Most charging stations have cord lengths between 16-18 ft, but we offer charging stations with cord lengths from 16-25 ft. 25 ft. is the longest available cord length while still maintaining industry safety standards.
  17. Can an EV charging station be plugged into a dryer receptacle?
    1. Bosch charging stations use common 240V plug types. Many appliances also use the same plugs. EV charging stations can be plugged into existing receptacles of matching types. A certified electrician however should check that the existing circuit is suitable for electric vehicle charging.