To rent or own my at home level 2 charger - Xcel Energy MN

[spdspers]

After recently purchasing my MME, I figure it's time to prepare for the winter charging needs with a Level 2 charger at home. Here in MN we have the option to either rent a charger from Xcel Energy or have my own installed. It looks like the only chargers Xcel allows you to put in, or rent, are the ChargePoint Home Flex or the Enel X Way JuiceBox. Would love to hear comments from the community on rent vs buy and experiences with either of the hardware options.

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[zvez]

do they offer purchase at a discount? What's the rental fee? I can't see that rental makes sense long term. Does this include free support for issues with the EVSE? I'd be inclined to buy one. My local utility sold a juicebox 40 at $250 discount so that's what I went for.

 

[HuntingPudel]

If you are going to eep your EV or continue to purchase EVs, it makes sense to buy. If you will be getting rid of your EV and going ICE in a few years, rental might make sense depending on the terms of the rental. ??

 

[RickMachE]

It's math. If you buy, you get a 30% tax credit, depending on your area. If you rent, is the installation including wiring free? Simple math. Does one way give you cheaper electricity?

Regardless, run away from the JuiceBox. Their software changed in early 2023 and went from great to CRAP. Their support is CRAP. I have two, and will be getting rid of them.

 

[ARK]

I looked it up just now, and it looks like they charge $16.63 a month for the rental. The Charge Point Home Flex (great charger, mine has been flawless for over 3 years now) costs $600. Let’s say your installation cost is also $600 for a total of $1,200. Your break even point is about six years in.

If you think you’ll move before then or not sure if you will have another electric, it seems it may not be a bad idea to rent. A six year break even seems reasonable to me for the rent being sufficiently low. For example, a lot of cable internet companies would rent you a modem that paid for itself after like 18 months and would last 8 years, total scam, this here actually seems fair to me.

 

[kindofblue]

I can't recommend juicebox40s after the first one we had died after ~12 mo. We're on the second now with (IIRC) a new warranty but would not buy another juicebox in any event. Just my 2 cents.

 

[RoyHobbs]

I’ve been using a Juicebox 40 for over 2 years, zero issues.

 

[worachj]

Here's a similar thread to yours.

EV home charging programs

 

[Mach-Lee]

I would strongly encourage you to get the ChargePoint over the Juice Box for reasons stated above. JuiceBox/EnelX no longer a good company.

If your'e going to keep the EV and EVSE for more than 3 years then I would just buy it instead of rent.

 

[bbhaag]

I looked it up just now, and it looks like they charge $16.63 a month for the rental. The Charge Point Home Flex (great charger, mine has been flawless for over 3 years now) costs $600. Let’s say your installation cost is also $600 for a total of $1,200. Your break even point is about six years in.

Bro $600 to run a line back to the sub panel is really optimistic.

 

[Bjbena]

Bro $600 to run a line back to the sub panel is really optimistic.

Unless it’s literally inches beside the panel.

 

[mccdeuce]

Posted elsewhere: grab a highly discounted Wallbox from fisker and have it installed.

https://store.fiskerinc.com/FM2998150020A.html

 

[tuminatr]

One thing if you buy a charger outside, for Xcel's accelerated charging program you need a chargepoint or Juicebox others may work but I would verify before you buy.

At $.038 per kwh it's worth getting something that works with their program.

 

[Kyle]

After recently purchasing my MME, I figure it's time to prepare for the winter charging needs with a Level 2 charger at home. Here in MN we have the option to either rent a charger from Xcel Energy or have my own installed. It looks like the only chargers Xcel allows you to put in, or rent, are the ChargePoint Home Flex or the Enel X Way JuiceBox. Would love to hear comments from the community on rent vs buy and experiences with either of the hardware options.

 

[SFC]

The chargepoint is garbage if you plan on having more than one EV in the household. There's a 1:1 mapping of chargepoint charger to account. If you have two chargers, you need two accounts, and you can only control from one or the other.

Additionally, there's some known issue with the chargepoint charger line that the bluetooth and wifi module just dies within the first 6 months. It is an absolute *NIGHTMARE* dealing with chargepoint support to get a replacement. Bad enough I just dumped them entirely and switched to JuiceBox despite the lower charge rate.

You also have to have the unit replaced by a licensed electrician, and you have to pay the installation fee - neither xcel or chargepoint will cover it, and Xcel won't let you tie the replacement charger to your account unless it is replaced by a licensed electrician.

And no, you can't use any other charger besides the two listed unless you have a whole separate meter installed.

Ask me how I know...

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