Indra Smart Pro vs (discounted) Zaptec Go?

[samoht]

I've just bought an approved used Polestar 2, which comes with an offer of a "free" Zaptec Go charger - you just pay £500 for the installation.

However, the Zaptec Go doesn't feature load curtailment, which I need. That requires the separate "Sense" add-on, for an extra £300 fitted.

QMerit said:

• Zaptec Sense £180
• Additional metal box and breaker for Zaptec Sense £120

Now, you can buy a complete Indra Smart Pro charger for £320, which comes with load curtailment built-in. This seems neater and perhaps more reliable than a separate add-on.
https://www.electricpoint.com/indra-smart-pro-ev-c...

So assuming £500 install cost for either, then the total cost comes out about the same as the "free" Zaptec.

My main motivation is to be able to get Octopus Intelligent Go; the Indra supports this directly, whereas the Zaptec integrates with Polestar Energy, which then co-ordinates with IOG. So both would work, but the Indra has the benefit of working with IOG with other EVs.


So I guess the question is whether the Zaptec Go is a 'better' charger than the Indra, to justify the higher pre-discount cost? Or if the Indra's more integrated functionality is preferable?

I'm leaning towards declining the Polestar offer and going for the Indra, unless anyone has a strong case to make for the Zaptec.

[Danm1les]

Will they give you charging credit or something else instead if you say you have a charger already?

I would get a charger that is 100% what you want and is fully compatible with IO. Yesterday we had an Ohme epod installed as the app is good, its super neat and tidy and has full support for IO.

[surfymark]

I have an Indra Smart Pro and if I am honest it isn't that great.

It does work directly with IO but is quite unreliable generally.

If I was buying one now I would get a Zappi but I know they are more expensive (I got my Indra free many years ago).

M

[FarmyardPants]

I have an Indra Smart Pro. I use it with Ovo Anytime.

My experience FWIW: The first one I had installed looked pre-owned. It would not connect to my WiFi 5m away so the installer put a SIM card in it (with USB adapter). It mostly worked ok but needed to be switched off and on every few weeks. Then it packed up altogether and was replaced with a brand new one under warranty. This time I elected to hard wire it. It has been fine ever since.

It has some annoying issues, though. For example I have solar PV and you can enable PV mode . It comes with two clamps - one on the main incoming feed (to limit its draw if needed - I have a 10.5kW electric shower, so this is a good idea) and another on the PV output feed. When the sun comes out and there is some surplus it starts charging (eg at 1.3kW), but once activated, it never seems to exit this mode, even if it clouds over and/or household demand exceeds PV output. The Zappi is much better at this kind of thing.

I went for the Indra Pro because of its support for Ovo Anytime (and I think it was discounted) but I am not that enamoured with it. Since being replaced, it has never failed to charge the car overnight on the cheap rate, so it fulfills its main objective, but I would not really recommend it over a Zappi.

Having said that, having the charger natively compatible with your service provider is great for when friends visit, and saves a lot of messing about joining car apps with charger apps and service provider app etc.