Note: Solar Choice has no affiliation with any EV Charging company and is here to offer an honest review for anyone looking to buy an EV charger in Australia
Company Overview
Ocular Charging is a leading seller of Electric Vehicle chargers which is now own by Australian private equity giant Pacific Equity Partners. The Ocular Charging trading name is registered to Eve Australia Pty Ltd which was initially registered in 2016. The parent company, also own EVSE Australia, who distribute various electric vehicle supplies and equipment through their online platform.
In December 2023 it was announced that Pacific Equity Partners had acquired a majority stake in EVSE. It was also recently reported by the AFR that EVSE has sold 5,500 Ocular-branded chargers in the last 12 months and 2,200 ports for its Exploran network.
The Ocular Charging trading name was registered in February 2021, so it seems they they have grown rapidly since launching their products.
Popular models and comparison of features
Ocular has 12 models, 6 of which are targeted at commercial and public charging stations. For this review we are comparing residential options so see a comparison of the single-phase chargers Ocular offers below. Please note all of the chargers mentioned in this article have 3-phase options and they also have a range of DC fast chargers.
| Product Name | Ocular LTE | Ocular LTE Plus | Ocular IQ Solar | Ocular IQ Wallbox |
| Product Image |  |  |  |  |
| Product variant | OC20-BC-7.2KW | OC20-BC-7.2KW-Plus | IOCAW13-7T-SOLAR | IOCAH10R-7T |
| Price (Approx. AUD price RRP inc. GST) | $1,200 | $1,400 | $2,069 | $2,200 |
| Rating | Single-phase 7kW 32A | Single-phase 7kW 32A | Single-phase 7kW 32A | Single-phase 7kW 32A |
| Country of manufacture | China | China | China | China |
| EV compatibility | All | All | All | All |
| Enclosure dimensions | 295 x 195 x 65mm | 295 x 195 x 65mm | 269 x 360 x 146 mm | 269 x 360 x 146 mm |
| Weight | 7.7kg | 7.7kg | 7.6 kg | 7.6 kg |
| Charge cable length | 6 meters | 6 meters | 5 meters | 5 meters |
| Solar self-consumption optimisation? | No | No | Yes | No |
| Internet connection? | No | No | Wifi and Ethernet | Wifi, Ethernet and 4G |
| App control | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Weather resistance | Outdoor Rated | Outdoor Rated | Outdoor Rated | Outdoor Rated |
| IP rating | IP66 | IP66 | IP55 | IP 55 |
| Warranty (years) | 2 years | 2 years | 2 years | 2 years |
| Datasheet | Ocular LTE | Ocular LTE Plus | Ocular IQ Solar | Ocular IQ Wallbox |
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What We Like About These Chargers
The Ocular Charging range caters for all residential EV charging needs. The LTE range is perfect for those looking for an affordable solution while the IQ range is perfect for someone looking to maximise the use of their daytime solar or track and manage their charging station remotely.
For anyone looking to charge their EV with solar power, we recommend checking out the Ocular IQ Solar. The Solar Assist mode balances the usage of excess solar but avoids the potential of starting and stopping during a charging session due to fluctuations in your energy generation
Key Features
The Ocular LTE EV Charger boasts a range of impressive features. It offers adjustable charging speeds, allowing users to choose the rate that best suits their needs. The charger also has built-in Wi-Fi for remote monitoring and control via a smartphone app.
In addition to its main features, the Ocular LTE EV Charger offers smart scheduling, allowing users to set charging times based on their routine or when electricity rates are lowest. It also has a durable, weatherproof design, making it suitable for both indoor and outdoor installation.
Charging App
Ocular has two charging apps the EVSE master app and the Ocular app that can be found on the Google and Apple app stores.
The EVSE app has limited functionality and is designed to control the LTE Plus charger. The video below explains how IQ Solar works and gives an in-depth walkthrough of the Ocular app.
How much does the Ocular LTE Charger cost?
| Product Name | Ocular LTE | Ocular LTE Plus | Ocular IQ Solar | Ocular IQ Wallbox |
| Product variant | OC20-BC-7.2KW | OC20-BC-7.2KW-Plus | IOCAW13-7T-SOLAR | IOCAW13-7T |
| Price (Approx. AUD price RRP inc. GST) | $1,200 | $1,400 | $2,069 | $2,200 |
Pros and Cons
| Product Name | Ocular LTE | Ocular LTE Plus | Ocular IQ Solar | Ocular IQ Wallbox |
| Pros | Simple and affordable. No frills. | Bluetooth connectivity w/ EVSE app. Tracking of charging sessions. Control charging times | 3 charging modes – Fast, Solar Assist and Solar Only. Can be controlled remotely by the Ocular app. Smart charging to maximise solar consumption. | Track and manage charging stations via the Ocular app. RFID card compatible. Billing by time and electricity via smartphone APP |
| Cons | Lack of wireless charging control. No internet or app connection | Lacks smart charging (OCPP) capabilities. | Only connects via wifi and ethernet, not 4G compatible | Not compatible with Solar |
Installation
All level 2 chargers require to be wired into your house’s electrical system and need to be performed by a licensed electrician.
Need an Ocular charger installation quote?
Get the best prices for an installed EV charger near you
Warranty & Service
All Ocular residential chargers come with a comprehensive 2-year warranty, ensuring peace of mind for users. The company also offers excellent customer service, with a dedicated team ready to assist with any issues or queries.
To get in contact with support, simply go to the support link on their website.
Which Ocular charger is right for me?
If you are looking for an affordable solution and don’t need solar or smart charging capabilities then the LTE would be a good choice for you, bear in mind that it doesn’t connect to an app so if you would like more functionality then the basic LCD screen offers then we recommend the LTE Plus. For $200 bucks extra, it’s money well spent as it allows you to schedule charging, and monitor your past and live charging sessions via Bluetooth.
For those with home solar that are looking to maximize their solar consumption then the IQ Solar is the charger for you, it has three charging modes, Fast, Solar Assist and Solar Only which give you a lot of flexibility when it comes to maximising your solar returns. It is a smart EV charger that can schedule, record and monitor all your charging sessions remotely via a wifi or ethernet connection.
Lastly, if you are looking for an intelligent solution across homes, apartments, fleets or light commercial applications then the IQ Wallbox is for you. It has wifi, ethernet and 4G connectivity and, it’s (OCPP) smart enabled so you can track and manage your charging stations, receive remote firmware updates, and earn revenue.
FAQ
Are Ocular EV chargers compatible with all EV models?
Does my Ocular EV charger require professional installation?
Can I control my Ocular charger remotely?
Can my Ocular charger be installed outdoors?
Do Ocular chargers come with a warranty?
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