Autel’s MaxiCharger line of EVSE has rapidly develop into one of many top-rated EV chargers available on the market right this moment. With a big selection of choices, energy ranges and colours, there is a MaxiCharger to swimsuit the needs and wishes of most EV homeowners.
Final 12 months I reviewed a 40-amp MaxiCharger Elite and was impressed with its specs, development, and sensible charging options. It did, nonetheless, have one critical flaw: it was outfitted with the worst-performing cold-weather cable that I’ve ever examined.
Autel MaxiCharger Lite Key Options
After I carry out our complete EV charger opinions, one of many exams I conduct is a cold-weather cable check. The check is designed to check how properly the cable will carry out whether it is mounted outdoors in very chilly climate. I deep freeze the unit in sub-zero temperature for 24 hours after which see how versatile the cable is, in addition to how straightforward it’s to coil up and retailer after charging.
The cable on the MaxiCharger we examined final 12 months carried out so badly that I used to be compelled to say I would not suggest the unit for anybody who lives in a chilly climate local weather, significantly in the event that they wanted to put in the charger open air.
Autel reached out to me instantly after the overview and stated they weren’t conscious of the cable’s chilly temperature drawback, however would instantly start the seek for a greater cable and as soon as they’ve one, they may ship me one other check unit to overview.
The Autel MaxiCharger’s chilly climate cable check
I additionally spoke to John Thomas, the then COO of Autel on the New York Auto Present this 12 months and John instructed me they’d sourced a brand new cable and would ship me a overview unit as quickly as they’d them, which he did.
Since I reviewed a 40-amp MaxiCharger Elite mannequin final time, for this overview I requested a 50-amp MaxiCharger Lite. The MaxiCharger Lite is a barely cheaper model and does not have the glass panel on the highest of the charger. Nevertheless, the options are all the identical because the Elite.
The Elite used to supply just a few benefits over the Lite, however Autel knowledgeable me that they now embrace all the identical options within the Lite, and the distinction is just the glass panel on the entrance, which is not a practical touchscreen, it is only for look.
Autel does promote a business model of the MaxiCharger Elite which does have a working touchscreen, however that is aimed toward enterprise use and retails for $989.00.
The MaxiCharger Lite carried out properly in my excessive warmth check and computerized restart check and I used to be wanting ahead to seeing how properly the brand new cable fared within the deep freeze check. Sadly, the brand new cable nonetheless failed the check and was troublesome to govern when frozen.
Autel MaxiCharger Lite 50-A ChargerRater rating
It was positively higher than the cable it changed, however I imagine it is nonetheless not ok to suggest to be used in chilly climate climates. That is unlucky as a result of apart from that, the MaxiCharger is an exceptionally good unit.
It has a pleasant connector, the enclosure is NEMA-4 rated, so it is appropriate for out of doors installations in any local weather. It’s Vitality Star-certified and CSA authorized and when hardwired can ship as much as 50-amps (12 kW) to an EV. Most EVs are restricted to accepting 48 amps so a 50 amp charger is nearly as highly effective as an EV wants.
There are just a few EVs with very giant batteries that may settle for 80 amps (F-150 Lightning, Lucid Air, and among the new Ultium-based EVs from GM) however the overwhelming majority of EVs are restricted to 48 amps on AC energy.
All Autel MaxiChargers are sensible chargers that may connect with the Autel app through wifi, Bluetooth, and ethernet cable. They’ve entry management by means of the app and clients also can order RFID playing cards for individuals who need entry with out utilizing the app. The models can energy share with as much as 6 MaxiChargers, which makes them an awesome alternative for multifamily installations the place there aren’t sufficient circuits to supply full energy to every charger.
The MaxiCharger Lite 50-amp that I reviewed has a retail value of $569.00 and is out there with an built-in or distant connector holster. The 40-amp model that comes with a NEMA 14-50 plug sells for $459.00, however as of right this moment is on sale on Amazon for less than $399.00.