Wallbox comparison: The ADAC recommends these models and you have to pay attention to them when buying

Electric cars are becoming increasingly popular in Germany. In 2022, the number of registered vehicles has already doubled to around 618,000 compared to the previous year. But such an electric car has to be charged. More and more charging stations are being built in cities and busy places, and so-called wall boxes take over this task at home.

In this article you will find out what to consider when buying and installing such a wall box and which models are recommended.

What is a wall box?

A wall box, also known as a wall charger, is a permanently installed, sometimes also portable, charger for electric or hybrid vehicles. Unlike normal chargers, it is not connected to a house socket, but integrated directly into the house installation.

This is because electric cars cannot normally be charged at normal house sockets. Such sockets are not designed to withstand the high currents of an electric car charger. At best, such charging is simply energy inefficient, at worst it can cause a fire due to cable overheating.

Wall boxes ensure optimal charging conditions

Wall boxes therefore also ensure safety, higher charging speeds and more efficient charging. They monitor the current flow, communicate with the charging electronics in the car and have several safety devices that protect against overvoltages or fault currents.

The chargers usually charge with single or three-phase installations under high current. Either 230 V or 400 V (high current) is used as the nominal voltage. The charging devices also have technologies that ensure that high-voltage current only flows when there is actually a connection between the car and the wall box. In this way, many electrical accidents can be avoided.

Can I install a wall box myself?

A wallbox cannot simply be installed by you. The installation must be carried out by a specialist. Only they can guarantee that the house installation can withstand the power consumption of a wall box and that all safety precautions are taken. In addition, a wall box must be reported to the network operator by the installer.

Installing a wall box in an apartment building: you have to pay attention to this

Even if you live in a rental house or apartment, you don’t have to do without a wall box to charge your electric car. According to the ENBW magazine, you as a tenant have the right, at the latest with the new regulations since December 1st, 2020, to install a wall box in the non-ownership apartment or in the house. But you can’t just install them like that.

Because the installation of the wall box must have been clarified with the landlord beforehand. You should get written permission from your apartment or homeowner before hiring a professional to install it. So both you and the owner are legally protected.

No assumption of costs by the landlord

There are a few exceptions in which the landlord can prohibit you from installing a wall box. This applies, among other things, if the apartment or house in question is a listed building or is otherwise protected by law from external changes. If necessary, you should ask the city or municipality whether installation is an option.

You must also note that as a tenant you must bear 100 percent of the costs for the wall box. You also have to bear the costs for dismantling if you move. You are not entitled to a subsidy from the landlord. However, the following also applies: The Wallbox is your property and can be taken with you when you move.

Do I need special insurance for my Wallbox?

Insurance for wall boxes is not mandatory. Many household insurance and car insurance policies already cover any damage caused by a wall box. It is worth taking a look at the contract terms of your valid insurance company.

How much does a wallbox cost (in operation)?

The price range for wall boxes is relatively large. A wall charger can cost between 500 and 3,000 euros. There are also installation costs, which are often just as high or even higher. Added to this are the electricity costs. Of course, these depend on the consumption of your e-car and your driving behavior. In 2021, the majority of drivers stated that they drove between 10,000 and 15,000 kilometers a year in their car. With an electricity price of 35 cents, this results in annual electricity costs of 500 to 750 euros, depending on the mileage. If more is driven, the costs increase accordingly.

Special car electricity tariffs are not worthwhile

With a controllable wall box, there is the option of installing a separate electricity meter for the charging device. This second electricity meter, in conjunction with a car electricity tariff, theoretically offers the possibility of reducing the costs for a wall box. Effectively speaking, however, such tariffs are often not worthwhile. With the current electricity prices, which are already fluctuating sharply, the savings per kilowatt hour are in the commacent range, and the costs of installing a second electricity meter should not be underestimated.

State funding only at municipal and state level

The state funding for wall boxes presented by the KfW Bank in 2020 expired last winter. The huge demand meant that the funding was quickly exhausted. The federal government does not currently offer any funding for wall boxes – there are only a few subsidies at municipal or state level.

For example, the city of Munich subsidizes the installation of a charging station that is not open to the public with up to 40 percent. Companies in the federal states of Baden-Württemberg, Hamburg or Bavaria can also receive support in creating charging points.

What does connector type 1, 2, etc. mean?

Electric vehicles use a different charging port depending on the model. The newer, three-phase Type 2 charging plug is the most common in modern electric cars and is also the official standard in Europe. Older models often use the Type 1 plug, which is only single-phase and is rarely installed these days. Many chargers come in versions with both types of plugs.

Do I need an 11 kW or 22 kW wall box?

Whether you need an 11 kW or 22 kW wall box depends on your vehicle. Before you buy, find out from your vehicle manufacturer whether your e-car supports fast charging with 22 kW. The charging time for the wallbox with the higher charging capacity is logically only half as long.

The ADAC recommends these wall boxes

In 2022, the ADAC had twelve current wallbox models compete against each other in a major test. According to the Automobileclub, the following five models performed best.

1st place: go-eCharger HOMEfix 11 kW

The test winner in the ADAC wallbox comparison is the HOMEfix 11 kW from the go-eCharger. As with all five models, this is a wall-mounted charger for your electric car. At the same time, the HOMEfix 11 kW is the cheapest wall box in comparison with only 649 euros in the RRP. You won’t find this excellent price-performance ratio anywhere else.

The HOMEfix 11kW comes with all the necessary safety and comfort features. This includes high-quality overvoltage protection, app control, a clever (and actually useful) LED display on the wall box and reliable functionality. The biggest disadvantage of this model is the comparatively high power consumption in standby.

2nd place: Wallbox Chargers Commander 2

In second place is the Wallbox Chargers Commander 2. It is a little smaller than the HOMEfix 11 kW, but does not offer a removable charging cable. Here, too, the charging current is 11 kW and is based on the usual 220 volt normal voltage or 400 V high-voltage current and 16 A current.

This model comes with a touchscreen, which makes it very easy to operate the wallbox, but which is difficult to read in bright conditions. A plug garage is included in the scope of delivery. Another advantage is the large scope of the wallbox app, with which all parameters of the wallbox can be set.

3rd place: ABB Terra AC

With the Terra AC, the relatively unknown manufacturer ABB supplies an 11 kW-capable, permanently installable wall box. Although this model is nothing special in terms of design – on the contrary, the white box is not a gem and its look certainly does not suit everyone. But if the look is not so important and the functionality is decisive, you will be satisfied with this.

The wallbox is easy to use via an app and has an LED display on the device, which doesn’t reveal much. The app reveals more about the current charging process. Unfortunately, two apps are required for setup and operation, although the app for configuration is only available to licensed fitters. Another disadvantage is that the user app can only connect to the device via Bluetooth. Consequently, you have to be nearby to be able to control the wallbox.

4th place: Easee Home 10103

The Easee Home 10103 doesn’t have a particularly imaginative name, but it occupies 4th place in the test winner list. The Home 10103 is a 22 kW model. This means that cars can be charged with double the charging power if necessary. The simple design of the box ensures that it fits into all environments.

Here, too, the advantages become apparent when you use it: the wall box is safe, works reliably and has high-quality residual current protection. It is more compact than some other wall boxes and can be conveniently controlled via an app. Unfortunately, the manufacturer also decides to require two apps for configuring and controlling the wall box – a clear disadvantage.

5th place: ABL Wallbox eMH2

ABL Wallbox eMH2 is not the same as ABB and although the names of the two wallbox manufacturers sound similar, the two models could not be more different in terms of design. The eMH2 is also a 22 kW model and comes as a dark, semi-circular wall box for fixed installation on the wall.

Unfortunately, this wall box is quite large and immediately noticeable. Although it works very well, safely and reliably and offers a good charging experience and an energy consumption meter, it can only be configured via the web interface. There is no app, access to the web interface with a configuration kit for the initial setup costs the consumer an additional 113 euros.

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