What is Graze Charging and Should You be Doing it?

Graze charging is an emerging trend in the world of electric vehicle (EV) charging, referring to the practice of charging your EV in small increments throughout the day instead of waiting for a full charging session. This approach often involves topping up at various locations; workplaces, shopping centres, or public chargers, rather than relying solely on overnight home charging or full charges at dedicated charging stations. But is it the right approach for every EV owner? Let’s explore the pros and cons.

The Pros of Graze Charging

Cost Savings
Some public chargers offer free or subsidized charging as a perk for customers or employees. Graze charging in these scenarios can significantly reduce your overall energy costs compared to charging at home during peak hours.

Convenience and Flexibility
Graze charging allows EV drivers to take advantage of charging opportunities wherever and whenever they arise. Whether you're grabbing groceries or spending time at the office, plugging in for even a short period can help maintain a healthy battery level without the need to plan long charging sessions.

Battery Longevity
Many experts suggest that keeping an EV battery between 20% and 80% charge is optimal for long-term battery health. By charging in small increments, graze charging naturally aligns with this recommendation, potentially helping to prolong the battery’s lifespan.

The Cons of Graze Charging

Charging Etiquette Challenges
Using public chargers for short periods can raise issues of fairness, especially if you're occupying a charger that someone else might need for a full recharge. Proper charging etiquette becomes critical to avoid disputes or delays for other EV users.

Inconsistent Availability
The convenience of graze charging depends on the availability of charging points where you need them. In areas with limited public infrastructure, relying on this method might leave you without sufficient charge when you need it most.

Increased Time and Hassle
While plugging in for a quick top-up sounds simple, it can add extra steps to your daily routine. Finding an available charger, connecting your vehicle, and ensuring you move it once charged can sometimes feel like an unnecessary chore.

White electric vehicle charging symbol on textured green asphalt background.

Who Benefits Most from Graze Charging?

Graze charging is particularly appealing for EV drivers with access to abundant public or workplace charging infrastructure. For city dwellers without off-street parking or access to home chargers, it can be a practical way to stay charged. Similarly, drivers with smaller battery capacities may find graze charging more essential to their routine.

However, for those with reliable home charging setups, such as those with a Stevie Charger, and have predictable daily mileage, graze charging might add unnecessary complexity to an already straightforward charging process.

The Bottom Line: A Balanced Approach

Ultimately, whether graze charging is right for you depends on your driving habits, access to charging infrastructure, and personal preferences. Rather than committing to one method, many EV owners may find a hybrid approach, combining home charging, full charges when needed, and opportunistic graze charging, the most effective strategy.

What’s your take on graze charging? Share your experiences and thoughts!

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Tethered vs. Untethered Chargers: Which is the Right Choice for You?

What is the Right Choice for Your Needs?

In today's fast-paced world, the convenience of charging our vehicles quickly and efficiently is more important than ever. As electric vehicles (EVs) become more common, choosing the right type of charger is crucial. At Stevie Charger, we understand the importance of making the best choice for your needs, which is why we offer both tethered and untethered options. But which one is right for you? Let's break down the differences, benefits, and drawbacks of each to help you make an informed decision.

What is an Untethered Charger?

An untethered charger, also known as a socketed charger or universal charger, is a charging unit that does not have a permanently attached cable. Instead, it features a universal socket where you can plug in your own charging cable. This design offers the flexibility to use different cables based on your specific needs and the types of vehicles you own or may encounter. At Stevie Charger, all our socketed chargers come equipped with a Type 2 socket, which is compatible with cables from all well-known car manufacturers. This ensures that whether you're charging your own EV or accommodating a guest's vehicle, our untethered chargers provide seamless connectivity and convenience.

Benefits of an Untethered Charger:

  • Flexibility: The most significant advantage of an untethered charger is its flexibility. You can use different types of charging cables, making it compatible with a wide range of EVs. This can include older EVs such as the first-generation Nissan Leaf. This is particularly beneficial if you have more than one vehicle with different charging requirements or if you have guests who need to charge their EVs at your location.
  • Future-Proofing: With technology rapidly evolving, an untethered charger allows you to easily upgrade your charging cable to match the latest standards without needing to replace the entire unit.
  • Portability: If you need to use your charging cable elsewhere, such as at a public charging station, an untethered charger gives you the freedom to take your cable with you.
  • Adjustable: If you need a longer cable to reach your vehicle, then you can buy whatever length you need.

Disadvantages of an Untethered Charger:

  • Convenience: Unlike tethered chargers, untethered chargers require you to connect and disconnect your cable each time you use it. This might be a minor inconvenience if you're looking for a quick and easy plug-and-go experience.
  • Maintenance: With an untethered charger, there’s an additional piece of equipment (the cable) that you’ll need to keep track of, store, and maintain. Over time, cables can wear out, and replacing them can add to your costs.
  • Security: Because the cable isn’t permanently attached, there’s a risk that it could be misplaced, stolen, or damaged when not in use.

What is a Tethered Charger?

A tethered charger comes with a permanently attached cable that remains connected to the charging unit at all times, making it ready to use at a moment's notice. This type of charger offers a convenient, one-step process for charging your vehicle, eliminating the need to find and connect a separate cable. Our Stevie tethered chargers are equipped with a 7.5-meter Type 2 connector, ensuring compatibility with all Type-2 plug-in vehicles. Additionally, we include a cable management holder, allowing you to easily and neatly store the cable when it's not in use, keeping your space organised and the cable protected.

Benefits of a Tethered Charger:

  • Convenience: The primary advantage of a tethered charger is its ease of use. Since the cable is permanently attached, all you have to do is plug it into your vehicle, making it the perfect option for those who prioritise simplicity and speed.
  • Less Maintenance: With a tethered charger, you don’t have to worry about storing or maintaining a separate cable. This can be especially helpful in households where multiple people may need to charge their vehicles, ensuring that the cable is always in the right place and ready to go.
  • Security: A tethered cable is permanently attached to the unit, reducing the risk of theft or loss. It also eliminates the hassle of having to search for a cable each time you want to charge your vehicle.

Disadvantages of a Tethered Charger:

  • Limited Flexibility: Unlike untethered chargers, a tethered charger is limited by the type of connector it has. This means that if you have multiple EVs with different connectors, you might need to purchase additional adapters or chargers.
  • Upgradability: If you want to upgrade to a newer cable with advanced features, a tethered charger requires replacing the entire unit, which could be more costly and less convenient than simply swapping out a cable.
  • Aesthetic Considerations: Tethered chargers often leave a cable hanging, which might not be as aesthetically pleasing, especially if the charger is installed in a visible area like the front of your home.

Which Stevie Charger is Right for You?

At Stevie Chargers, we understand that every customer has unique needs, which is why we offer both tethered and untethered chargers. If you prioritise convenience and simplicity, our tethered charger might be the perfect fit. However, if you value flexibility and future-proofing, the untethered option could be the better choice.

No matter which option you choose, you can trust that Stevie Chargers delivers high-quality, reliable charging solutions that will keep your EV powered and ready for the road. Explore our range today and find the charger that best suits your lifestyle.

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JPL EV Launches New Preferred Partner Program for Stevie Installers Across the UK

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As the UK accelerates toward a greener future, the demand for sustainable transportation solutions is rapidly growing. JPL EV is proud to introduce its Stevie Installer Partner Program, offering exciting new opportunities for electricians, contractors, and businesses nationwide. With the Stevie recessed (in-wall) and surface-mounted (on-wall) EV charging points, installers can now offer innovative, flexible, and affordable solutions tailored to residential, corporate, and public settings.

Stevie chargers are designed to meet the rising demand for electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, focusing on quality, ease of installation, and future-proofing. Whether it’s a home installation or a large-scale corporate deployment, installers can add these advanced charge points to their portfolio and tap into the growing EV market.

Benefits of becoming a Stevie Preferred Installer Partner

  • FREE online or video training session
  • Listed on our website under 'Where to Buy'
  • Exclusive offers to help with sales and profitability
  • A Stevie ID card, Polo Shirt, and van stickers
  • Access to our Partner Portal
  • New installation opportunities
  • Support with sales and tenders
  • Extended warranty
  • UK technical support

Installer Training Sessions

Partners can also participate in training sessions, covering the installation and commissioning of both Stevie recessed and surface-mounted charge points. In addition to the technical training, participants can take the official partner assessment and receive promotional materials to help market their services effectively.

With the support of JPL EV, installers can leverage the growing demand for EV chargers and position themselves as leaders in the industry. Join us today and grow your business with the Stevie charge points!

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Want to become a Preferred Partner and have access to Stevie's exclusive benefits, then contact us today to book your training session. You can contact us via our online form, email, or phone. Our team are always happy to assist you and provide you with all the information you need.

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For help and advice on our products, technical support, or general enquiries you can visit our support pages where you can find our FAQs and warranty terms and conditions.

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Nimans 60-Second Tech Talk of the Stevie EV Charger.

Check out Steve Mclntyre at Nimans 60-second overview of the Stevie EV Charger!

Highlighting its versatile installation options, hidden features and a variety of accessories. Also demonstrates how easy the Stevie unit is to manage through the Monta app.

Discover more about this innovative charger and its benefits.

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Revolutionising Charging Technology: Introducing Stevie Chargers.

26th March 2024. JPL EV proudly announces the debut of its innovative Electric Vehicle (EV) charge point Stevie. With a pioneering design that features patent-registered recessed capabilities, Stevie offers a space-saving solution tailored to the needs of modern electric vehicle owners and large-scale developers.

Founded in 2022 by James Clarke, CEO and head of design of JPL Telecom Ltd, and Mark Summers, a distinguished EV specialist with years of frontline expertise, Stevie emerged from a shared vision to revolutionise the EV charging landscape. Identifying a gap in the market for something different to the ‘usual’ method of surface-mounted EV Charge Point installation. James and Mark pioneered the development of a groundbreaking (patent-registered) system that allows for the integration of the EV charging units directly into property walls using a cage design.

"At Stevie Chargers, we are committed to pushing the boundaries of EV charging technology by delivering high-quality, reliable, and future-proofed EV charging products that seamlessly integrate into your home," said James Clarke. "Our patent-registered recessed design represents a significant leap forward, offering a space-saving solution that gives precious land back to the developer whilst improving the aesthetics and convenience to the user."

Key features of Stevie Chargers include:

  1. Patent-Registered Recessed Design: Stevie Chargers' innovative design allows for effortless integration into the wall, saving valuable space and providing a sleek, unobtrusive charging solution for residential, commercial, and public settings.
  2. Customisation and Personalisation: Stevie offers customers a range of options including recessed or surface-mounted installation, socketed or tethered configurations, display or non-display units, and customisable colour choices for cable holders and fascias.
  3. Fast and Efficient Charging: Equipped with advanced charging technology, Stevie Chargers deliver fast and efficient charging for electric vehicles, minimising downtime and maximising convenience for users.
  4. User-Friendly Interface: Designed with user convenience in mind, Stevie Chargers has partnered with Monta to provide an intuitive interface for easy operation and monitoring of charging status.
  5. Durability and Reliability: Built to withstand the rigours of daily use in all weather, Stevie Chargers are constructed with high-quality materials and are tested to ensure durability and reliability in any environment.

Stevie Chargers are not just about functionality; we also prioritise the need for innovation to improve the infrastructure around electric chargers in residential, commercial, and public settings. Committed to scalability and innovation, JPL EV will be continuously developing their software and charger, forging partnerships, and investing in future-proof designs to ensure the future of electrical charging.

Join the EV charging revolution with Stevie Chargers and experience the future of electric vehicle charging today.

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