Electric vehicles are praised for their low environmental impact, and you may be able to make this impact even lower by switching to a Zappi solar-powered car charger. But is this Zappi charger really worth the investment?
Zappi chargers are good for charging your electric vehicle because they can use solar-powered energy to power your car. However, they aren’t exclusive to homes with solar panels. They can still function as a regular electric vehicle charger if you don’t have solar panels installed.
Read on as we explore Zappi chargers and discuss their pros and cons. By the end of the article, you’ll know whether they’re worth the investment.
Zappi EV Charger Pros and Cons
The Zappi electric vehicle chargers are favored for their environmental consciousness and budget-friendly technology. However, this product does come with downsides.
| Zappi Charger Pros | Zappi Charger Cons |
| Using solar power is cheaper. | If you use it without solar panels, your energy usage will cost more. |
| Solar energy is better for the environment. | Certain cars have problems with Zappi chargers. |
| It comes in recycled packaging. | Consumers have reported water damage and blue discoloration to charger prongs. |
| You can pair and control your Zappi chargers directly from your smartphone. | Customers have reported glitches, bugs, and difficulties with the Zappi software. |
| It comes with three different charging modes. | Software updates often cause bugs. |
| You can set timers for a custom charging experience. | Smart chargers like Zappi need an internet connection, which makes them susceptible to hacking. |
| Zappi chargers are aesthetically pleasing and compact. | Internet connectivity issues will make charging difficult. |
| Innovative technology makes this charger safer than others. | Router placement can cause problems. |
| You don’t need to purchase an earth rod. | |
| The Zappi electric vehicle charger is waterproof. | |
| Zappi electric car chargers come with pin-code protection. | |
| Installation is fast. | |
| It comes with a three-year warranty to protect your device and your wallet. |
This table compares the different pros and cons that come with Zappi chargers. You can use it to help you decide whether or not a Zappi charger is an investment you want to consider.
The next sections will dive deeper into the details about each upside and downside, so you can gather more information about each of these points.
Pros of Zappi Chargers Explained
Zappi chargers feature state-of-the-art technology to efficiently use the solar energy that’s available in your home without damaging the flow of household electricity. They come with an array of advantages that make them a worthwhile investment.
Let’s consider some of them.
Eco-friendly Operation
- Using solar power is cheaper. Solar panels take the sun’s energy and convert it into electricity that you can use to power your Zappi charger. The sun is natural and free for everyone to use.
- Solar energy is better for the environment. With solar panels, you don’t have to rely on fossil fuels, which emit damaging greenhouse gasses that pollute the air and negatively impact the ozone layer. By using solar energy, you are reducing the weight of this damage.
- It comes in recycled packaging. When you purchase a Zappi charger, all packaging is both recycled and recyclable, ensuring that no harmful plastic makes its way into the environment.
User Experience
- You can pair and control your Zappi chargers directly from your smartphone. The app’s software is robust and allows you to manage your chargers from anywhere on the globe. It works directly with Eddi (Myenergi’s solar power diverter) to ensure that your house is also receiving electricity for things like heat, light, and warm water.
- It comes with three different charging modes. With your Zappi charger, you can charge in Eco mode, Eco Plus, or Fast. Eco uses a mix of both grid and solar electricity, Eco Plus exclusively uses surplus solar electricity (which is free), and Fast charges your vehicle at the max.
- You can set timers for a custom charging experience. Zappi chargers come with the option of using the “boost timer” setting, which optimizes charging times for high cost-efficiency. It saves you money and lowers your energy use, which is always good for the environment.
- Zappi chargers are aesthetically pleasing and compact. You don’t have to worry about your electric vehicle charger is a bulky eyesore with this particular charger. Instead, you can enjoy its convenient size and beautifully sleek design.
If you’d like to find out How to Charge Two Electric Cars at Home, I wrote some helpful info, telling you what you should and shouldn’t do. Check it out!
Safety
- Innovative technology makes this charger safer than others. Zappi chargers analyze energy usage and switch off when necessary to avoid overloading. You can also remotely stop charging as needed directly through your smartphone.
- You don’t need to purchase an earth rod. Zappi chargers have built-in protective features to make the device perfectly safe without one. Zappi is one of the safest electric vehicle chargers out there, so you don’t need to invest in an earth rod. This saves you from redundant costs and the hassle of earth rod installation.
- The Zappi electric vehicle charger is waterproof. This is an excellent feature because it means that you can install your charger outside of your house without worrying about exposure to the elements.
- Zappi electric car chargers come with pin-code protection. Your charger will be protected by a five-digit password that keeps you and your equipment safe from unwanted interference. With this protective feature, you don’t have to worry about other people stealing charges from your device.
On a similar note, I also wrote a related article and discussed wether EV’s get stolen more than ICE vehicles. In this article I also prepared some interesting stats. Check it out!
Installation and Warranty
- Installation is fast. Zappi takes pride in its user-friendly interface and hassle-free installation technology. Installation still requires a qualified electrician, but the process will be quick, convenient, and free of unnecessary stress.
- It comes with a three-year warranty to protect your device and your wallet. With a warranty, you don’t have to pay for costly repairs or replacements for the next three years after purchase.
Cons of Zappi Chargers Explained
Like all other products, Zappi chargers have their nuances and downsides. Here’s a list of some of those shortcomings.
Operation and Maintenance
- If you use it without solar panels, your energy usage will cost more. While Zappi chargers come with the option of charging exclusively with solar energy, you can only use this when you have solar panels installed. Otherwise, your Zappi will derive its electricity from on-the-grid sources instead. This costs a lot more than free sunlight-derived energy.
- Certain cars have problems with Zappi chargers. Various customer reports claim that different vehicles have difficulty cooperating with the charger, specifically Teslas.
- Consumers have reported water damage and blue discoloration to charger prongs. Althoughthe Zappi unit itself is waterproof, the rubber end cap isn’t. Recent models such as the Zappi 2 don’t have this issue, but it’s still prevalent in the Zappi. To avoid this problem, you need a weatherproof holster.
Is the Tesla Charger Waterproof? I went into detail in this article that I wrote. Check it out!
Software Glitches
- Customers have reported glitches, bugs, and difficulties with the Zappi software. Any “smart” technology is prone to having occasional software imperfections that can make your overall user experience challenging.
- Software updates often cause bugs. Zappi chargers are heavily reliant on the internet to function. While this is convenient in terms of remote controls and timely software updates, sometimes these updates cause glitches in the charging system.
Internet Connectivity
- Smart chargers like Zappi need an internet connection, which makes them susceptible to hacking. If your smart charger is connected to your home’s wi-fi network, it can become vulnerable to cyber-attacks.
- Internet connectivity issues will make charging difficult. If you don’t have a stable internet connection, you can’t control your charging settings from your phone. Alternatively, if the Zappi charger itself is not connected to the internet, this may also cause charging challenges.
- Router placement can cause problems. If your charger is too far away from the router, you’ll face frustrating connectivity issues. You can either move your router closer to the charging system or invest in a router extender. This is a setback because router extenders are often quite expensive.
Should You Get a Zappi Charger?
I’ve discussed the pros and cons of a Zappi charger, but is it the right investment for you?
You should get a Zappi charger if you want a user-friendly system that will use your solar panels to efficiently charge your electric vehicles at little to no cost. You should also be somewhat familiar with smartphones to remotely control your charging system.
Solar-powered EV chargers work by using free surplus energy provided by your solar panels. If solar energy is available, your charger will use it to power your electric vehicle.
This YouTube video does a great job of explaining how Zappi chargers use renewable solar energy:
However, you can still use a Zappi charging system to power your electric vehicles without solar panels. Because of its various charging modes, it’s still an extremely effective charger– even without the power of solar energy.
The decision of whether or not to invest in a Zappi charger is ultimately yours. If the device meets your preferences and situation, then a Zappi might be the perfect fit.
Why You May Not Want a Zappi Charger
While the Zappi charger has some excellent features, it’s not free from having its fair share of cons.
Some of the downsides that come with a Zappi charger include internet connectivity issues, incompatibility issues with different car models, and weathering to your charger prongs. It’s also challenging to use if you’re not familiar with smartphones, and it can be costly if you don’t have solar panels.
Before purchasing a Zappi electric car charger, consider the pros and cons list I’ve provided to make a decision that suits your personal needs.
Is It Cheaper To Use Solar-Powered EV Chargers?
Can You Use a Zappi Charger Without Solar Panels?
Zappi chargers have a mode called Eco Plus, which allows you to charge your car exclusively with cost-free surplus solar energy. With this feature, you can enjoy significant savings in terms of electrical spending.
If you want to enjoy the benefits of free sun-derived energy, you should invest in solar panels to fully take advantage of your Zappi charger’s technology.
EV Speedy’s Take
While Zappi EV charges do come with a few cons, I think they’re ultimately an excellent investment. The few downsides you get aren’t as important as the good you can do for the planet.
By using solar energy to power your vehicle, you’re helping us all take one step closer to making this world a better, cleaner place.
Check out these 20 great gift ideas for yourself or a Tesla fanboy.
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