Ohme ePod Review – Is the ePod charger right for you?

To start, the Ohme ePod is a 7.4kW untethered smart home EV charger from one of the UK’s leading green tech companies – Ohme. Suitable for all electric vehicles due to its socketed nature and jam-packed with intelligent, cost-saving features, the Ohme ePod sets itself apart in the market.

But is the Ohme ePod the right choice for you?

We’ll help you decide.

Today, in our Ohme ePod review (UK), we go through the pros and cons before giving you a final decision on whether this electric car charger is right for you.

Ohme ePod Review: what are the pros of the Ohme ePod?

1. Advanced tariff compatibility

Overall, one of the biggest perks of the Ohme ePod is its energy tariff compatibility. While other home EV chargers on the market can sync with select home energy companies (such as Pod Point and EDF), Ohme’s goes one step further. As a matter of fact, Ohme’s smart tech can integrate with all EV tariffs on the market. A lot of home EV chargers on the market can’t say the same.

So, you’ll be able to charge for cheaper with famous faces like:

• Intelligent Octopus Go EV Tariff
• OVO Charge Anytime Tariff
• British Gas EV Tariff
• Scottish Power EV Tariff

And more…

Why is this good? Because with the right home charging setup you can charge for as little as 7p with tariffs such as the OVO Charge Anytime Tariff as well as the Agile and Intelligent Octopus Go Tariffs.

2.  Intelligent tech, advanced smart ePod features

Ohme’s market-leading tech is popular for a reason. Not only are the smart charging features extensive, but some are only to Ohme.

Let’s have a quick look at what’s available with the ePod:

• Dynamic load balancing – manages the electrical demand to protect you and your main fuse.
• Dynamic charging – Ohme ePod will find the best energy rate for you.
• Charge scheduling – set your Ohme ePod to automatically charge when you like.
• Green charging – charge your electric car when electricity in the grid is less carbon-intensive.
• Price caps – set the maximum amount you want to spend your EV charging.
• Max charging button
• Monitor energy usage
• Over-the-air updates
• Browse live data

One of the best and most unique features of the Ohme ePod is its dynamic charging. Your ePod will automatically connect to your energy tariff. Simply enter your tariff details into the Ohme app, and it will fetch your energy rates for you. Done and dusted in no time.

After this, you can set a price cap, allowing your charger to run only when electricity pricing is at its cheapest – spending no more than you’ve set.

3. Small body, big brains

Big tech tucked into a small body. That’s the Ohme ePod in a nutshell. At just 1.5kg and compact enough to be comparable to an A4 piece of paper (230mm x 140mm x 100mm), this smart charger is bursting with big tech energy. And with its IP45 rating and sleek design, it’s the perfect blend of small, strong, and oh-so-clever.

4. Buttons and App – dual charging options

Unlike the Ohme Home Pro, the Ohme ePod has large, nifty buttons on the front of the charger, making charging sessions simple to stop, start, and pause.

On top of this, you can manage charging sessions with the Ohme app.

Two for the price of one.

5. Start driving on (free) sunshine

A new update to Ohme’s tech means the Ohme ePod is now entirely solar-compatible. So, as long as you have the right set-up (think solar PV system), as well as a CT clamp installed, then you can charge your electric car with free, surplus solar energy. The future looks bright, right?

Please note that the solar integration with the ePod is new, and any Ohme ePods installed before January 2023 won’t have the same functionality.

Explore Ohme’s solar functionality in detail.

6. Lock and throw away the hypothetical key

Stop strangers from touching your Ohme ePod charging session. How? Two ways:

1. Lock the Ohme ePod on the front of the charger to stop anyone from messing with your charging sessions.
2. Approve each charging session – if someone plugs in without your knowledge, your Ohme will inform you via the app. And allow you to block it.

Safe, secure EV charging with the Ohme ePod.

Explore Ohme ePod locking.

Ohme ePod review: what are the cons of the Ohme ePod?

1. No Wi-Fi connectivity

Home EV chargers need a solid connection, either Wi-Fi or mobile. Legally. It links your electric car, home charger, and app to control your home charging set-up easily.

The Ohme ePod skips Wi-Fi and goes straight for only mobile connectivity with a 3G/4G multi-net SIM. This is great for spots in the UK where the Wi-Fi connection is unstable. However, it works both ways. Weak mobile signal? You’ll struggle to have readily available access to Ohme’s smart features.

2.  Ohme API: powerful, but not entirely universal

We’ve touched upon a few of the exciting features the Ohme ePod offers, especially if connected directly to your electric car. But be wary of the fact that Ohme’s tech isn’t fully compatible with all EVs. Yet.

What does this mean? Well, if your electric car isn’t on the API list, your Ohme ePod won’t be able to get certain functions. In turn, you might not be able to access the complete selection. Not without tinkering, anyway.

For example, you wouldn’t be able to get your Ohme ePod to charge to your target battery percentage.

At present, Ohme’s API is compatible with the following electric car manufacturers:

• Audi
• BMW
• Cupra
• Hyundai
• Land Rover
• Kia
• Mini
• Nissan
• Renault
• Skoda
• Tesla
• Volkswagen
• Volvo

Keep this in mind when choosing if the Ohme is right for you.

3. No cable lock

While you can prevent others from disrupting your current charging sessions, you technically can’t lock your charging cable into the Ohme ePod hardware. It’s rare, but some home chargers do offer this functionality. The Easee One, for example.

Why would you want cable lock? Because it gives it the look and feel and adds the security element of a tethered charger.

So, while people can’t stop your session on the screen, they can remove your charging cable.

A caveat, though, is this is incredibly rare.

4. LCD screen VS buttons

While not as charge-altering as the other negatives mentioned, it’s worth noting that the Ohme ePod lacks an LCD screen. Instead, it has the buttons. These, as mentioned earlier, are easy to use. Fool-proof. However, some functionality is lost when compared to the Ohme Home Pro’s LCD screen.

Overall, the LCD has more flexibility and functionality in managing the charging than the ePod’s buttons. Plus, it’s more detailed, providing statistics at just a glance.

This isn’t a be-all-and-end-all con – it’s simply one to bear in mind if you want more tech for your buck.

Explore the differences between the Ohme ePod and Ohme Home Pro.

Ohme ePod review verdict – Is the Ohme ePod worth it? 

Overall, the Ohme ePod is 100% worth it for those who want to charge their electric car at home with cheaper, greener electricity. EV tariff compatibility, small size, advanced EV charging features, and easy to use buttons all make it a stellar choice for a home charger. Save on charging costs and make greener decisions while doing it. Best of both worlds.

But, there is one caveat. The Ohme ePod needs a solid mobile connection. If your signal drops too often, you could lose access to its smartest features. No signal, no savings. So, try your connection before you buy, check your coverage.

Buy your Ohme ePod today.

Trust We Power Your Car with your Ohme ePod supply and installation. With close partnerships to leading EV charger manufacturers, including Ohme, we are authorised to install a range of the UK’s leading EV chargers nationwide – all with the best customer service. Peace of mind is guaranteed with our accredited, DBS-checked and experienced engineers.

Don’t believe us? Check out our Trustpilot reviews.

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