AeroVironment EV Charging Station: 15' cable, 30A, 7.2kW, UL-Listed

UPDATED 01/21/2015, see bottom of this post.Quick note, this type of device is called an EVSE (Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment) or a charging station. The actual charger is located in the car.After researching charging stations for my 2013 Nissan LEAF with the 6 kWh charger, I selected this unit as it's one of the few charging stations offering true surge protection on top of GFCI.This is also the unit which Ford, Nissan and several other EV manufacturers recommend (and use themselves at dealerships), so you know that this isn't some low quality product lacking support.This unit only has a 15' cable, so you either need to put the EVSE in a good spot which allows you to reach the car, yet allow you to reach different locations, in case you buy a new EV, OR you need to get the unit with the longer cable. Only get the 15' when you really need to worry about budget.The EVSE is extremely simple to install. Instructions are very clear, but it's highly recommended you have a licensed electrician install this unit if you aren't familiar with high voltage work. Basically, you run 8/2 ROMEX if you are hard wiring the EVSE (don't forget a disconnect switch if code requires it!) to a dual pole non-GFCI 40A breaker, or attach a cordset (such as a NEMA 6-50 or 14-50 range cord set), so you can plug it into an outlet, which can also act as the disconnect.The only part I needed to buy was a Gampak 1" NM/SE Connector (strain relief), which was somewhat of a pain to install since you needed to drill a hole in the plastic enclosure (instead of making it so they can be pushed out without too much hassle), and not everyone will have the proper drill bit or a drill for that matter.Keep in mind that if you do run 6 AWG wire, only the ground wire will comfortably fit in the terminals. The plastic terminal set for both hot wires do not hold the 6 AWG wiring securely, so you would have to pigtail it.Operation is extremely simple, in fact, you rarely need to touch the START or STOP button (I haven't needed to do this yet).Now as for the negatives, there aren't many. The handle is my only gripe, as the release button doesn't feel solid, and it's a pretty tight fit if you have a Nissan LEAF with the Around View camera system (the coiled wire going to the front camera makes for a tight fit). I do not remember having this problem with ChargePoint stations, so I'm guessing it's a handle design issue.The only other issue I have encountered is the fact that this unit makes a buzzing sound, similar to a transformer, while charging the car, loud enough to wake me up since it's mounted on a wall which is shared with my bedroom. I'll be contacting AeroVironment about this, and will update the review once I figure out what the issue is (or if it's normal).I purchased this unit from Amazon when AeroVironment was running a sale offering a $150 coupon (so $799, no tax or shipping for NY). Unfortunately, these type of products are still priced way too high for what they do, as it's basically just a 'smart' extension cord.Hopefully pricing will keep coming down, but if budget is really the issue, then consider getting your OEM EVSE upgraded via EVSEupgrade website (add .com), or consider the new Bosch Power Max units, which start at below $500.If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask away, or contact me via the ChargeNY website.UPDATE 01/21/2015The buzzing sound has gotten louder, especially when SoC is close to 100%, to the point it was waking me up at night, so I just switched back to my upgraded OEM EVSE. The relay click is pretty loud as well, so if you sleep near your garage, do not purchase this unit. Very frustrating, considering how dead silent the Nissan/Panasonic OEM EVSE is. I'll be sending it in for warranty, hopefully they will fix it, and I'll sell it. Price wise, $800 is no longer a good deal, as EVSEs have come down in price.

VERY upset about this defective product. It was not a simple matter of returning a defective product, I had to pay an electrician $400 to install and then pay then to uninstall so I could return it and then pay to install once again. When I called the manufacturer for support on the product they were very casual about me needing to send it in to Amazon when we discovered it was defective. The power supplied to the u it fine but it would not communicate with the vehicle. They don't care that I just lost a lot of money due to their product being defective. Be very careful and don't waste your money on this product!

The perfect compliment to my 2017 Chevy Bolt EV.This is much faster than charging from 120V.Like having a gas station in my garage (but without the gas part).

This is a reasonably well built piece of equipment that does the job. Responds well to the charge timer in the Leaf. Three months in, it is working just as it should.As far as installation goes, there is not a knock out for attaching a flex connector so you have to drill a hole in the plastic shell to wire it up. A step bit works well to drill the hole. Most equipment has appropriate knockouts, so four stars.I'm happy with this product.

I had the unit installed by a licensed electrician and initially it failed to work. A wire had become loose and was replaced. Unit works well. However, in the interim I called AV and was told that since they did not install the unit, the warranty covered only parts...they were willing to come to the house to look at the unit for $250, repairs would be extra. I saw no place where that warranty issue was explained. In any case, it now works well.

This works great! I use it to fuel my Bolt EV - the electrician said it was easy to install (hah, I'm not messing with electricity). I've had it about nine months and it's done really well.

I charge my Nissan LEAF every day or two. This EV Charger provides 220 volts for charging. Time required to charge is from 2 to 3 hours depending on discharge level at start. A computer in the car determines when the charge is complete and shuts it off without any action on my part.Connecting is simple, fool proof, and safe.

I researched several units. In the end I purchased this unit over some cheaper units since Aerovironment is a trusted brand that has been in the EV business for a long time, and these units have a reputation for being reliable. The unit was easy to install, although I was a little surprised that you have to drill your own access holes for the incoming power wire. The unit works great. I use it with a Nissan LEAF and I've never had a problem with charging. It also works fine with the Leaf timer function. When the unit first starts charging, there is a load click, but it is otherwise silent. My only complaint is that charger cable has a very tight fit with my LEAF making it a little difficult to plug and unplug. This is a little annoying as it makes it hard to plug and unplug with one hand and is also too difficult for my 7 year old son. The other AV chargers at the Nissan dealerships are nowhere as tight as this one so I may have just gotten a connector that is slightly out of tolerance.