Rolec EV Charger Review – Is the Rolec EVO for You?

Rolec has been developing electrical products for 30 years and was one of the first to market for EV chargers with their WallPod. The question is, has its new EV home charger, the Rolec EVO, kept pace with the latest standards and newest competitors?

In this Rolec EV charger review, we will run through the pros and cons of the Rolec EVO before giving you an unbiased opinion on whether it’s right for you.

What is the Rolec EVO?

The EVO is a Red Dot design award-winning 7.4kW home EV charger, designed and manufactured in the UK. As you would expect from an experienced electrical company, the latest Rolec charger is fully compliant with the latest UK smart charging regulations. Plus, it offers its own app, packed with a number of easy-to-use smart features.

Now, let’s dive deeper into the Rolec EV charger review.

Rolec EV Charger Review – EVO Pros

1. Solar EV charging

Rewind a few years ago, and only a handful of EV chargers, most notably the myenergi Zappi, were able to integrate with a solar PV system.

Now, solar compatibility has become a standard customer expectation, and Rolec has risen to the occasion.

Currently, Rolec offers three charging modes with the new EVO:

• Eco to use solar by day and the electricity grid by night
• Eco+ only uses solar energy when there is an excess supply from your panels
• Charge Now for those times when you need a top-up there and then

If you are considering solar panels now or in the future, the Rolec EVO is a safe choice. Unlock the sun’s energy, and your electric vehicle will be charged for free.

2. Dynamic load balancing

The EVO comes with a cable and CT clamp, which integrates with your home’s electrics. Why is this important? Because your Rolec EVO will automatically adjust the energy it’s sending to your electric vehicle to avoid demand peaks.

This is all handled automatically – your EVO  is working hard, safely, silently, and in the background. So, you’ll never even know the EVO has been helping protect your home while maximising every kW of power possible.

3. LED – light up your charge

Located around the socket, the Rolec’s LED status light ring lacks a practical purpose – but visually, the flashy feature is one to be enjoyed.

Think dark, frosty winter mornings or pitch-black nights, where visibility is essential. The EVO quickly lights the charge port, leading the way.

What’s more, at a mere glance, the LED gives you an update on the charger’s health—flashing red? There’s a problem. A steady green? Charge in peace.

Not only that but the light can also be personalised if you have a colour preference.

4. Market-leading warranty

Nothing communicates the confidence that Rolec has in the new EVO more than their 5-year guarantee. That’s not an added extra, either – 5 years is the EVO’s standard option.

Since the days of the sadly defunct OZEV grant for home EV chargers, a standard guarantee for hardware in the industry has been 3 years.

By offering a 5-year guarantee for the EVO, Rolec is backing the new modular push-fit architecture. Add in the over-the-air updates, and the EVO provides reliable home charging for years to come.

Rolec EV Charger Review – EVO Cons

1. Socketed only

Socket to them. Unless there is a well-designed cable tidy system, untethered chargers (sometimes called socketed) tend to look neater on the wall than their tethered counterparts.

However, being socketed only does mean that every time you want to charge, you must unfurl and plug in your charging cable. Then unplug and store it somewhere else. Think of your car boot or a garage.

This isn’t a deal breaker. In fact, many EV drivers agree untethered EV chargers take on a neater appearance, making them the more popular EV charging solution. Especially if the charger faces the street and your nosy neighbours are always looking in.

That said, for many, this and a lack of cable locking capability will be an added hassle when setting up to charge, increasing time on the clock when maybe time is of the essence.

2. No 4G

Legally, smart EV chargers need either 4G or Wi-Fi to access smart charging features.

Unfortunately, the Rolec’s EVO  standard single-phase 7.4 kW unit does not offer a 4G connection. So, you are reliant on a Wi-Fi signal or an Ethernet cable.

Go to your router and check the strength of your Wi-Fi. Does it struggle? Does it have temper tantrums?

If so, the EVO might not be for you. Instead, a charger with 4G might ensure a steady connection. We recommend the Ohme Home Pro or ePod.

3. Refined design, but lacking additional functionality

A clean design is a selling point for some. And the EVO’s look is a far cry from Rolec’s first charger. Its boxy, square-like design offers a futuristic design.

But it’s missing certain design features, such as physical buttons, unlike the Ohme ePod. Or missing the LCD screen that the Ohme Home Pro boasts.

For some, the clean, button-free design will be part of the attraction, but for others, a physical interface is more convenient and simpler to use.

Though, the Rolec EV charger app and its Plug and Charge feature do offer additional functionality, although not on the front of the charger itself.

Rolec EV charger review, the verdict on the EVO – a lot of charger, for not a lot of change

Overall, there’s lots to love about the Rolec EVO, but it’s not in the gimmicky personalised LED status light; its real value lies elsewhere. At a reasonable price, the Rolec EV charger has all the functionality that most EV drivers would ever need in a well-designed package from a long-established manufacturer confident enough to offer a 5-year product guarantee.

Home EV chargers are a surefire way to save on charging costs. Get yours today.

Charge your car with cheaper, greener electricity at home, and save hundreds of pounds per year.

Make the investment today, and trust We Power Your Car for your charger and installation. From electric car charger choice to DNO application to grant funding – we cover it all in our comprehensive EV charger installation package. Don’t lift a finger as our DBS-checked, nationwide, accredited EV charger installers handle your charger with care.

Browse our range of smart chargers, get a free EV charger and installation quote, or get in touch to enquire about a Rolec charger.