Humax, a South Korean tech company traditionally known for its digital TV recorders and smart home devices, has announced its debut in the UK's electric vehicle (EV) charging sector with the introduction of the ECORD 7.4kW Home Charger. The move marks Humax's first foray into the EV charging market in the UK, underpinning its 35-year heritage in manufacturing and automotive mobility, which includes smart parking, fleet management, shared mobility and now, EV charging solutions.
The ECORD 7.4kW Home Charger, designed for residential use, offers a sleek and durable design that can be easily installed on a wall or a pedestal. With an emphasis on simplicity and user-friendliness, the charger can be operated manually or through the Humax ECORD Mobile App, making charging sessions manageable from anywhere. The product comes in two variants, featuring either a 4m or a 7m Type 2 cable, catering to different user needs.
Humax's new charger supports both RFID card swipe and plug-and-play options, alongside app control for starting charging sessions. It also includes features to optimize energy consumption, such as setting preferred charging schedules, and is compatible with solar energy, allowing owners to charge their vehicles with excess solar power from home PV systems. This compatibility is a step towards more sustainable charging solutions, offering a ‘Solar' mode for exclusively using solar energy and a ‘Solar and Grid' mode for supplementing with grid power as needed.
The ECORD charger is approved for the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) grant, enabling eligible UK customers to receive a £350 subsidy towards the installation cost. Humax ensures a streamlined installation process through a dedicated service partner, promising comprehensive support from initial survey to post-installation.
Jeff Kim, the President of Humax, emphasised the company's commitment to the smart home ecosystem and sustainability through the launch of the ECORD charger. He highlighted Humax's reputation for reliability and customer service across various sectors, now extended to the EV charging market.
Priced at £599 for the 4m cable version and £649 for the 7m cable version, the ECORD 7.4kW Home Charger will be available for purchase in the UK from 28 March 2024. Humax plans to expand its EV charger range in the coming months, further establishing its presence in the smart EV charging solutions market.
The charger, featuring Wi-Fi and Ethernet for firmware updates, meets all required safety standards and comes with a three-year manufacturer's warranty, ensuring both security and longevity for users.