Portable 3ph charger? any good?

[V8 Stang]

So i have a EV Van on order (Nissan Townstar Tekna), which im expecting in January.

I intend to primarily charge at work, this will be the first EV for the company, so i need to sort out a charger as don't fancy using the 13A which will take all day!

The Van will charge at up to 22KW AC.

Have been looking at chargers and can get a basic 7KW charger for around £300+vat, but for 22KW/3phase these seem to be more than £600!

But came across this portable unit that will plug straight into a 32A 5 pin commando, which would be nice and easy, as could fit a 32A socket on the wall by the car park, which is not far from the main distribution boards.

Its also a lot cheaper than the usual wall mount charger.

https://thirdrockenergy.co.uk/products/3-phase-ev-...

What do we think? is this any good?

Or should i stick to a wall mount unit?

[No ideas for a name]

Evanivitch said:

You could do that.

It wouldn't meet the requirements for an EV charger in building regulations (certainly not part P domestic properties, but I don't expect it's more relaxed about PME on commercial property?).

So any Sparky installing it would be "ignorant" of the intended use. Then it's a question of insurance.

Technically, if the outside socket is intended for use with a portable EV 'charger', then it should be installed to the same standards as a full EVSE.
The unit listed appears to have the relevant protection against AC and DC leakage.

Surely if a suitably protected outlet is installed, it would be fine.
Suitable in this case means an upstream MCB for cable protection, and either an earth rod or a supposed broken PEN conductor protection device.
Also, I think the outlet should be interlocked - i.e. have a switch on it so that the plug can't be pulled out without the power being disconnected first (to do with CEE sockets arguably not being shuttered).

[Evanivitch]

No ideas for a name said:

Suitable in this case means an upstream MCB for cable protection, and either an earth rod or a supposed broken PEN conductor protection device.

Precisely. Last time I checked the MCB was nearer £50 and the PEN device £100 but how that changes with 3 phase I don't know.

[V8 Stang]

Thanks, So i persuaded the boss to get a 22kw wall box instead, went with a EVEC unit which seem the best value. As only need plug and charge, don't need any of the smart stuff some of the more expensive units have. gone with the socket version as looks tidier when not in use.

https://www.voltaev.co.uk/products/evec-22kw-3-pha...

Should hopefully be delivered on Tuesday, so i can get it fitted before the van arrives on Wednesday


Does anyone know if the van (Nissan Townstar) will come with a 3 phase cable? or will it just come with a single phase cable?

Its one of the few EV's that will actually charge at 22KW AC.