EV Charge

Shop online for EV Chargers, Charging Cables and Accessories.

EV Charge is a proudly South African company founded in 2017 by engineers passionate about electric vehicles and their potential contribution towards a sustainable energy future.

Our mission is to support EV ownership by providing cost effective charging solutions and the best customer experience.

We have applied our engineering knowledge, research and years of EV ownership experience to become charging specialists, ready to support the transition to the electric vehicle era.

Why EV Charge?

Our charging products comply with international standards and are tested in South Africa for reliability and ease of use.

We launched SA’s first online EV Charge Shop in 2018 and have gained extensive experience in the field of electric vehicle charging. 

We deliver free of charge nationwide.  We don’t perform installations but can recommend a licenced electrician installer in your area.

AC vs DC Charging

Electric vehicles (EVs) are fitted with an onboard charger which converts alternating current (AC), the type of electricity powering home appliances,  to direct current (DC), the type of electricity required to charge EV batteries. 

An “AC Charger” is essentially an intelligent switch which informs the EV how much power it can draw, determined by the capacity of socket or electrical installation. Once the safety checks are completed it activates the switch to supply AC power to EV.  The charge rate is limited by the vehicle’s onboard charger, typically up to 11kW, 3-phase.  AC chargers are the most common and cost effective means of EV charging. 

DC Chargers or “superchargers” deliver the fastest possible charge rate.  The technology is more complex and expensive that AC charging technology since the AC to DC rectifier is located in the charging station.  Large DC charge stations can deliver up 350 kW, however the charge rate will be limited to the EV, typically between 50kW and 100kW.  The high cost of DC Charge stations and electrical infrastructure limits their application to public charging facilities on national highways or dedicated fast charging facilities.

Safe Charging

Charging an EV involves the transmission of high current which poses a fire/safety risk if not conducted correctly.  

• Never use an extension cord with a portable EV charger.
• Charging from a domestic socket is safe when the electrical installation was performed by a licenced electrician. If in doubt, rather charge at a lower rate (eg. 10 Amps).
• If the charger plug and/or the socket become hot during charging, stop charging and have the socket circuit tested by an electrician.
• Level 2 Charge Stations must only be installed by a licenced electrician who can issue a CoC for the installation.  Ensure that these chargers are installed using a 6mm² power supply cable as they can draw up to 32 Amps continuously for extended periods of time.

EV Plugs

The Type 2 Plug is the standard plug for electric vehicle AC charging in South Africa and the European Union.  The plug supports single or three-phase AC charging.

The Combined Charging System (CCS 2) is an extension of the Type 2 plug providing direct current (DC) contacts for high-power DC fast charging.  This is the standard for all public DC Charge Stations in South Africa.

The Type 1 Plug is the standard plug for electric vehicle charging in the United States and Japan.    The 1st generation Nissan Leaf is the only EV in SA that uses this type of plug.  

The Combined Charging System (CCS 1) is an extension of the Type 1 plug providing direct current (DC) contacts for high-power DC fast charging.  In Japan a dedicated CHAdeMO connector is used for DC charging.

Tesla uses its own charge plug and ecosystem for its supercharging network in the U.S but has adopted the Type 2 / CCS 2 standard in Europe.  Tesla is expected to adopt the Type 2 / CCS 2 standard for South Africa.