SMA | EV Chargers Review

Finn's SMA EV Chargers Review & Verdict

Finn Peacock has been a Chartered Electrical Engineer since 1998, and is ex-CSIRO

SMA make great quality, reassuringly expensive gear. SMA have previously told us that due to market demand in the EU, they discontinued their EV charger in Australia. But we've noticed a few local vendors selling the original 7.4 model, claiming to have them in stock.

SMA EV Chargers: Pros & Cons

SMA hardware is known for reliability.
Its 5 year warranty is one of the longest around for an EV charger.
It’s capable of smart charging an EV using only surplus solar energy when paired with the right equipment.

The 7.4 can only smart charge with the help of an SMA Home Manager 2.0, which can have an installed cost of over $1,200 and only has a 2 year warranty.
Maximum operating temperature is only 40°C
It’s one of the most expensive EV chargers I know of

About SMA

SMA is best known for producing top-quality inverters, but the company has also branched out into EV chargers (among other things).

SMA Australia Contact Details

Address: Level 1/213 Miller St, North Sydney NSW 2060
Phone: (02) 9491 4200
Email: [email protected]
Website

Company Info

Founded back in 1981, SMA is based in Germany. Originally focusing on manufacturing inverters, the company expanded into energy storage in 2016 and then EV chargers in 2020.

SMA EV Chargers

SMA kicked off with the EV Charger 7.4 / 22, but the latter has been superseded by the SMA eCharger.

Among the EV Charger 7.4's features:

Charge power (mode 3) 1.3 kW to 7.4 kW (configurable)
Ethernet/Wi-Fi
Ambient temperature range −25°C to +40°C
LED status display
IP65 rating
5m tethered charging cable
Integrated energy meter MID-compatible
Dimensions 460 mm / 357 mm / 122 mm
Weight 8.0 kg (17.6 lbs)

An SMA EV Charger may suit those who already use SMA Home Manager 2.0. This is because it will be able to solar smart charge when paired with it. However, its maximum operating temperature of 40°C means it may not operate during heatwaves.

SMA eCharger

As for the newer eCharger, it works as both as a stand-alone solution and as part of the SMA Home eMobility Solution ecosystem. It has configurable charging speeds of 1.38 kW to 22 kW (three-phase). The device can charge with surplus energy from a solar power system, and has automatic phase-switching for periods with low solar power.

SMA says the eCharger is "ready" for bi-directional charging, but also states in the fine print "Future availability as a paid eProduct, compatible with select vehicle models and subject to final standardization." So, there's a few ifs, buts and maybe in that statement.

The eCharger is IP54-certified, offers flexible mounting options and has an operating temperature range of −25°C to +50°C. It has dimensions of 350 mm / 600 mm / 250 mm and weighs 5 kilograms.

User management, charging processes, usage times and various other bits 'n bobs can be carried out via the SMA eMobility Portal and the device is supported by SMA Smart Connected.

But before you get too interested in this charger, it wasn't yet being sold in Australia at the time of updating this page in early 2025.

Warranty Information

SMA has a reputation for manufacturing quality products, and its 5 year warranty is longer than nearly all other EV chargers on the market.

Collapse company details

See current SMA EV chargers

State	QLD
Postcode	4510

SMA EV Charger Reviews