Home Generator Company Generac Just Launched an Electric Vehicle Charger

Generac, a renowned power and energy management company famous for its gas-powered home backup generators, has introduced its first electric vehicle (EV) charger. This new charger complements the company's home battery solution, marking a significant step towards clean energy. Generac also owns Ecobee, a smart thermostat company.

The Generac Level 2 charger is priced at $649 (approximately ₹53,300) for the 40-amp version and $699 (approximately ₹57,300) for the 48-amp model. It is compatible with all EVs currently on the market, including Tesla vehicles with an adapter. The charger features Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, allowing users to manage scheduled charging through the Generac EV charging app.

A standout feature of the Generac charger is Power Sharing, which enables the connection of multiple chargers to a single circuit (up to 25). The system intelligently manages the charging process to prevent circuit overload. Additionally, the Power Boost feature monitors the subpanel or breaker to avoid tripping it.

Greg Wischstadt, Generac’s VP of connectivity, revealed that the charger is manufactured by Wallbox, a leading EV charger manufacturer. However, it will operate using Generac’s proprietary software. Generac made an investment in Wallbox late last year.

The release of the EV charger aligns with Generac's broader transition into electric power, a move that has been gaining momentum since 2020 when the company launched its PWRcell home battery, a competitor to the Tesla Powerwall.

In early 2022, Generac also hired Brian Dow, Tesla’s former director of engineering, as its VP of clean energy. The company has been steadily expanding the capabilities of its battery's solar storage and home backup solutions, including integrating them with its home standby generators.

Integration with Ecobee and Future Plans

Generac integrates some of its products with the Ecobee smart thermostat, enhancing energy management during power outages by displaying the status of standby generators and propane tank fuel levels on the thermostat’s screen. However, the new EV charger, despite having Wi-Fi connectivity, does not yet have any smart home integrations, and Generac is not currently part of the new Matter smart home interoperability standard, which recently added support for EV chargers.

Wischstadt mentioned that there are no immediate plans to integrate the new EV charger with Ecobee. Nevertheless, the potential for an integrated energy management system controlled from inside the home using Ecobee’s touchscreen interface is apparent. This could pave the way for a cohesive and comprehensive home energy solution in the future.

Stay tuned to Kushal Bharat Tech News for more updates on the latest advancements in technology and clean energy solutions.