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Volchar 40A EV Charging Station Review
A pretty solid unit, if a little pricey for its power level.
Table of Contents:
Volchar is a manufacturer that produces a series of EV home charging stations for consumer use, from 40-50 amps and including both hardwired and plug-in versions. This series is Volchar's first publicly released product, so I was eager to get my hands on one of their smart, 40-amp chargers for the purposes of review.
Misses
- Default power output
- 40-amp doesn't power share
- Price
The Volchar 40A arrives with the unit and its integrated connector holster, a 25-foot charging cable with a J1772 connector, a plastic mounting wallplate and hardware, a hex screwdriver, top and bottom covers, amperage labels, and an installation guide. Customers can choose between a hardwired unit and one with a NEMA 14-50 plug at the time of purchase. The connector is a really nice one, the kind I've been seeing more and more on new units, and comes with a rubberized grip.
For safety reasons, I always recommend the professional installation of EV charging stations by a licensed and bonded electrician, especially when hardwiring. This can help prevent a potentially hazardous electrical failure in the future. My professional electrician of choice (and channel sponsor) is Qmerit, and if you follow that link, they'll waive the $150 installation deposit for you. With their skill and expertise, you can count on them to get the job done right the first time, in the safest way possible.
If you choose to install the plug-in version yourself, the unit comes ready to mount and allows for either rear or bottom cable entry. Simply use the included template to mark the placement, pre-drill your holes, and attach the mounting plate to a wall stud. Then, slide the unit onto the plate and secure it using the supplied hardware. If you have the plug-in version, ensure you're using an outlet specifically designed for electric vehicle charging — I've seen firsthand the issues that can arise from using cheap outlets, such as melting or burning out.
I do want to mention that I don't often (if ever) see plastic mounting brackets for EV charging stations, so seeing one with the Volchar 40A was unexpected. I'd much prefer a nice, strong metal mounting bracket, especially when charging outside.
It's also worth noting that I ran into an interesting issue during my Extreme Heat Test—one where the unit actually delivered more power than it should have. I'm unsure if my unit is faulty or if this is an issue affecting all units, but I've discovered that the plug-in unit can deliver more than 40 amps of power on its default dip switch setting if the app resets or restarts. I highly recommend opening up the unit and checking the dip switches to avoid accidentally overdrawing your circuit.
The Volchar 40A comes either with a NEMA 14-50 plug or as a hardwired version, both rated for a maximum of 40 amps and 9.6 kW. Volchar also has a 50-amp version of their home charging station that can only be hardwired (rated for a maximum of 50 amps and 12 kW).
The charger's power is adjustable from 10 to 40 amps (50 amps in the hardwired version), and the adjustment can be done either inside the body of the unit or through the app. The company boasts of the unit's NEMA 4 grade aluminum alloy backplate, which protects from both inclement weather and UV rays. The Volchar 40A comes with a 5-year warranty, US-based customer service, and is CSA safety certified.
Since the Volchar 40A is a smart charger, it comes with both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, and also supports Google and Alexa voice control. The Volchar app is available for both Android and iPhone, and can be acquired by scanning the QR code on the front of the connector holster. From there, you can view your past charging history, lock the charger from use, adjust the unit's power output, and set a charging schedule.
Key Specs of the Volchar 40A
- Charger: AC Level 2
- AC Connector: SAE J1772
- Power Input: Hardwired, NEMA 14-50 plug
- Rated Current: 40 Amps
- Adjustable Current: 10 – 40 Amps
- Maximum Power: 9.6 kW
- Dimensions (without cable): 8.9" x 8.25" x 4.33"
- Cable length: 25 ft
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
- Safety Certified: Yes
Testing
Testing is a vital part of my review process because manufacturer claims don’t always match real-world performance. Things like hardware or software bugs, compatibility issues, and unexpected conflicts can all affect how an EV charging station performs over time. By exploring these potential problem areas, I aim to give you the insight necessary to choose the charger that best fits your needs — before you make a purchase.
The Cable Deep Freeze Test
No one wants to go out to charge their EV and find their cable too rigid to reach their charging port. That's why I pulled the Volchar 40A's cable into tight loops and placed it in an industrial ice cream freezer for over 30 hours before starting my Cable Deep Freeze Test, where the unit reached a temperature of -11.5° F (-24.2° C). I wanted to see how well the cable would unwind and how easy it'd be to manipulate after it'd been frozen. While it frosted up pretty good, the cable remained bendable and kind of floppy, which really impressed me. It even looped back into the cable management system without issue. While it won't steal the crown from the ChargePoint Home Flex, these were still fantastic results, and it will earn an extra point for cold-weather cable performance.
The Frozen Connector Drop Test
I like to jump into the Frozen Connector Drop Test before the connector defrosts. I dropped the connector onto the concrete floor five times to test its durability, as it's a common occurrence during normal use. The Volchar 40A took the beating like a champ, and earned itself a passing grade.
The Cold Weather Startup Test
My last cold-related test checks to see that an EV charging station will do its job even in the most brutal cold. I plugged the Volchar 40A into my Chevy Bolt, and it had no issue delivering the full charge to the vehicle. That's another pass.
The Extreme Heat Test
Of course, cold isn't the only kind of extreme temperature an EV charging station might encounter, so I also test the units I review to see how they'll hold up under an approximation of intense summer heat. My Extreme Heat Test checks to see if a unit might power off, overheat, or otherwise fail to deliver the expected power to a vehicle when reaching the upper temperature boundaries. I started out by placing the Volchar 40A under a heat lamp for two hours, until it reached a temperature of 127.5° F (53.1° C). Then I plugged it into my Rivian R1S to charge for another two hours of cook time. The Volchar 40A advertises that it's built with a heat-dissipating backplate (or heatsink), which is an unusual EVSE feature, so I was curious to see how it would handle the heat. Even though the unit reached a surface temperature of 155.5° F (68.6° C), it continued delivering full power, so I consider that another pass on the ChargerRater.
The Automatic Restart Test
I don't consider a review done until I've completed the Automatic Restart Test, where I shut off the circuit to a charging EV, wait about a minute, and then turn it back on to see if a charging station will re-engage with the vehicle. On rare occasions, I've found that some chargers remain in a fault state after power has been cut, and they don't start charging again once the power returns. The Volchar 40A easily resumed charging my Bolt as expected, which is another pass.
After 2.5 weeks of use, I honestly grew fond of the Volchar 40A. It's a pretty solid unit, even if the price is higher than I'd like to see for a 40-amp charger. Just make sure you check your default power output.
The Volchar 40A smart home EV charger is currently available starting at $559.00 for the hardwired version and $559.00 for the plug-in version on Volchar's website and (as of the posting of this article). Check out the full review in my video for more information, and feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below.
Volchar 40A EV Charging Station Review
A pretty solid unit, if a little pricey for its power level.
Table of Contents:
Volchar is a manufacturer that produces a series of EV home charging stations for consumer use, from 40-50 amps and including both hardwired and plug-in versions. This series is Volchar's first publicly released product, so I was eager to get my hands on one of their smart, 40-amp chargers for the purposes of review.
Misses
- Default power output
- 40-amp doesn't power share
- Price
The Volchar 40A arrives with the unit and its integrated connector holster, a 25-foot charging cable with a J1772 connector, a plastic mounting wallplate and hardware, a hex screwdriver, top and bottom covers, amperage labels, and an installation guide. Customers can choose between a hardwired unit and one with a NEMA 14-50 plug at the time of purchase. The connector is a really nice one, the kind I've been seeing more and more on new units, and comes with a rubberized grip.
For safety reasons, I always recommend the professional installation of EV charging stations by a licensed and bonded electrician, especially when hardwiring. This can help prevent a potentially hazardous electrical failure in the future. My professional electrician of choice (and channel sponsor) is Qmerit, and if you follow that link, they'll waive the $150 installation deposit for you. With their skill and expertise, you can count on them to get the job done right the first time, in the safest way possible.
If you choose to install the plug-in version yourself, the unit comes ready to mount and allows for either rear or bottom cable entry. Simply use the included template to mark the placement, pre-drill your holes, and attach the mounting plate to a wall stud. Then, slide the unit onto the plate and secure it using the supplied hardware. If you have the plug-in version, ensure you're using an outlet specifically designed for electric vehicle charging — I've seen firsthand the issues that can arise from using cheap outlets, such as melting or burning out.
I do want to mention that I don't often (if ever) see plastic mounting brackets for EV charging stations, so seeing one with the Volchar 40A was unexpected. I'd much prefer a nice, strong metal mounting bracket, especially when charging outside.
It's also worth noting that I ran into an interesting issue during my Extreme Heat Test—one where the unit actually delivered more power than it should have. I'm unsure if my unit is faulty or if this is an issue affecting all units, but I've discovered that the plug-in unit can deliver more than 40 amps of power on its default dip switch setting if the app resets or restarts. I highly recommend opening up the unit and checking the dip switches to avoid accidentally overdrawing your circuit.
Key Specs of the Volchar 40A
- Charger: AC Level 2
- AC Connector: SAE J1772
- Power Input: Hardwired, NEMA 14-50 plug
- Rated Current: 40 Amps
- Adjustable Current: 10 – 40 Amps
- Maximum Power: 9.6 kW
- Dimensions (without cable): 8.9" x 8.25" x 4.33"
- Cable length: 25 ft
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
- Safety Certified: Yes
The Volchar 40A comes either with a NEMA 14-50 plug or as a hardwired version, both rated for a maximum of 40 amps and 9.6 kW. Volchar also has a 50-amp version of their home charging station that can only be hardwired (rated for a maximum of 50 amps and 12 kW).
The charger's power is adjustable from 10 to 40 amps (50 amps in the hardwired version), and the adjustment can be done either inside the body of the unit or through the app. The company boasts of the unit's NEMA 4 grade aluminum alloy backplate, which protects from both inclement weather and UV rays. The Volchar 40A comes with a 5-year warranty, US-based customer service, and is CSA safety certified.
Since the Volchar 40A is a smart charger, it comes with both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, and also supports Google and Alexa voice control. The Volchar app is available for both Android and iPhone, and can be acquired by scanning the QR code on the front of the connector holster. From there, you can view your past charging history, lock the charger from use, adjust the unit's power output, and set a charging schedule.
Testing
Testing is a vital part of my review process because manufacturer claims don’t always match real-world performance. Things like hardware or software bugs, compatibility issues, and unexpected conflicts can all affect how an EV charging station performs over time. By exploring these potential problem areas, I aim to give you the insight necessary to choose the charger that best fits your needs — before you make a purchase.
The Cable Deep Freeze Test
No one wants to go out to charge their EV and find their cable too rigid to reach their charging port. That's why I pulled the Volchar 40A's cable into tight loops and placed it in an industrial ice cream freezer for over 30 hours before starting my Cable Deep Freeze Test, where the unit reached a temperature of -11.5° F (-24.2° C). I wanted to see how well the cable would unwind and how easy it'd be to manipulate after it'd been frozen. While it frosted up pretty good, the cable remained bendable and kind of floppy, which really impressed me. It even looped back into the cable management system without issue. While it won't steal the crown from the ChargePoint Home Flex, these were still fantastic results, and it will earn an extra point for cold-weather cable performance.
The Frozen Connector Drop Test
I like to jump into the Frozen Connector Drop Test before the connector defrosts. I dropped the connector onto the concrete floor five times to test its durability, as it's a common occurrence during normal use. The Volchar 40A took the beating like a champ, and earned itself a passing grade.
The Cold Weather Startup Test
My last cold-related test checks to see that an EV charging station will do its job even in the most brutal cold. I plugged the Volchar 40A into my Chevy Bolt, and it had no issue delivering the full charge to the vehicle. That's another pass.
The Extreme Heat Test
Of course, cold isn't the only kind of extreme temperature an EV charging station might encounter, so I also test the units I review to see how they'll hold up under an approximation of intense summer heat. My Extreme Heat Test checks to see if a unit might power off, overheat, or otherwise fail to deliver the expected power to a vehicle when reaching the upper temperature boundaries. I started out by placing the Volchar 40A under a heat lamp for two hours, until it reached a temperature of 127.5° F (53.1° C). Then I plugged it into my Rivian R1S to charge for another two hours of cook time. The Volchar 40A advertises that it's built with a heat-dissipating backplate (or heatsink), which is an unusual EVSE feature, so I was curious to see how it would handle the heat. Even though the unit reached a surface temperature of 155.5° F (68.6° C), it continued delivering full power, so I consider that another pass on the ChargerRater.
The Automatic Restart Test
I don't consider a review done until I've completed the Automatic Restart Test, where I shut off the circuit to a charging EV, wait about a minute, and then turn it back on to see if a charging station will re-engage with the vehicle. On rare occasions, I've found that some chargers remain in a fault state after power has been cut, and they don't start charging again once the power returns. The Volchar 40A easily resumed charging my Bolt as expected, which is another pass.
After 2.5 weeks of use, I honestly grew fond of the Volchar 40A. It's a pretty solid unit, even if the price is higher than I'd like to see for a 40-amp charger. Just make sure you check your default power output.
The Volchar 40A smart home EV charger is currently available starting at $559.00 for the hardwired version and $559.00 for the plug-in version on Volchar's website and (as of the posting of this article). Check out the full review in my video for more information, and feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below.
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