If you’re a Tesla owner, your charging decision is pretty easy: Tesla has its own line of home chargers and an exclusive charging network for their owners to use. For all other electric vehicle owners, however, there are many options available for home charging. FLO and ChargePoint, the two biggest players in terms of North American charging networks, provide some of the best home charging options for these EV owners. But which brand of charger is right for your needs? At TCA Electric, we’ve helped many new EV owners with this decision and their home EV charger installation. Both of these brands offer great charging options, so today, we’re discussing the merits of both FLO and ChargePoint to help you make an informed choice!
FLO and ChargePoint: Leading the EV charge in North America
FLO and ChargePoint are two of the leading players when it comes to EV charging networks covering North America. Based in Quebec, FLO is the largest EV charging network in Canada. ChargePoint, meanwhile, offers more global coverage, with 110,000 charging locations worldwide and excellent coverage of North America in particular.
In 2018, FLO and ChargePoint reached a roaming agreement that allows each other’s members to use the other network’s chargers. Both companies have a commitment to serving a wide range of EV drivers, and their networks are compatible with many electric vehicles (though typically excluding Teslas). Thus, their home charging options also aim to serve drivers of a variety of electric vehicles.
ChargePoint Home Flex
The ChargePoint Home Flex is ChargePoint’s flagship home charging option. A 240-volt Level 2 charger, this device is compatible with nearly every electric vehicle on Canada’s roadways. The ChargePoint Home Flex lives up to the last part of its name well. For one, the Home Flex can be installed by either plugging into a NEMA 6-50 or NEMA 14-50 plug or by being hardwired to your home’s electrical panel. Further, the amperage of the Home Flex can be adjusted to suit your needs, providing anywhere from 16 to 50 amps of current, depending on your home’s electrical service. And finally, the Home Flex links to the ChargePoint app, which can be used to track charges, schedule charging times, and set reminders. For all this, the ChargePoint Home Flex costs around $1,000.
FLO Home G5 and X5
FLO offers a pair of home charging options, the G5 and the X5. As with the ChargePoint Home Flex, both FLO home charging devices are Level 2 chargers, and they provide 30 amps of charging current. Both the G5 and the X5 include a 25-foot charging cable, and each can be installed either via plug-in installation or through hardwiring. Finally, both the G5 and X5 are highly durable; the charger’s housing is made from aluminum, while the cable is graded for use at temperatures ranging from -40 to 51 degrees Celsius (-40 to 125 degrees Fahrenheit).
So, how do the two FLO home chargers differ? Simple: the X5 is a smart charger, offering drivers features such as energy management and charge scheduling, while the G5 is not. The FLO Home X5 also includes a power-sharing feature, enabling drivers to add a second charging station to the same circuit breaker—excellent for those with multiple electric vehicles. As for cost, the FLO Home G5 comes in at around $1,060, while the X5 is around $1,300.
How do the FLO and ChargePoint home chargers compare?
In many ways, these charging options are very similar. Each device is a Level 2 charger, providing 240 volts of charging power. Additionally, both the ChargePoint Home Flex and the FLO Home X5 are smart chargers, offering drivers a range of options to fine-tune their EV charging experience.
The main ways in which these chargers differ are in terms of cost and durability. When it comes to cost, the ChargePoint Home Flex is the clear winner, at a comparable price to the FLO Home G5 (which, remember, is not a smart charger) and costing much less than the X5. However, FLO’s home charging options have the advantage when it comes to durability. Both the G5 and the X5 are made of aluminum and can be installed outdoors right out of the box. Meanwhile, the ChargePoint Home Flex requires additional weatherproofing for outdoor use. FLO also offers a 5-year warranty on its home chargers, while ChargePoint’s warranty is for 3 years.
FLO vs. ChargePoint: Which is the right home charger for your needs?
Picking the right home EV charger from these options can be tricky. Both companies are highly reputable when it comes to EV charging, and the chargers all have similar capabilities in terms of how well they can charge your electric vehicle. However, there are also clear differences in terms of cost and potential longevity.
If your budget allows for it, or if you’d like to install your EV charger outside, the superior durability of the FLO Home X5 may be the best option. However, if you want a more affordable smart charging option for your home’s garage, the ChargePoint Home Flex may be more ideal. Thankfully, you don’t have to make your EV charging decision alone. A professional EV charging electrician will be able to evaluate your situation and help you pick the best EV charger for your home!
Call TCA Electric for Your FLO or ChargePoint Home Installation!
As you make your decision whether to install a FLO or ChargePoint charger in your home, you’ll also need to pick the right professional electrician to handle the installation. At TCA Electric, we have extensive experience installing EV chargers for both residential and commercial use. Our licensed and qualified electricians have worked with both FLO and ChargePoint products, so you can be confident in our ability to get the job done. Are you ready to take the next step and upgrade your EV ownership experience? Contact TCA Electric today to get started!