[jtagen]

Given what's in this, why are EVSEs so expensive? Given the quantities we see, the $150 range should be more than enough for a decent profit.

[cmptrnerd6]

Safety certifications add to cost. We recently took an EVSE through certification and although we passed on the first try it was still expensive and to pass on the first try we did extensive testing and documentation before submission.

[_ea1k]

A lot of it is the connector and cable. Good connectors are surprisingly expensive.

[DavidKarlas]

Well there is also software... I really liked go-eCharger HOME+ 11kW, because it has 3-phase "European connector" and I can go almost anywhere in europe take it with me and charge there... I usually take it with me when I go to my parents so I don't have to stop on way at fast charger... Anyway.. I paid 650EUR, well above price of parts cost... But mobile app and firmware keep getting updated and it keeps getting features like "charge from solar" better scheduler, also supports multiple chargers to limit total amps...

[KennyBlanken]

At first, relatively low volume and lack of competition (this has improved), and testing for compliance with all the various standards. It's often not enough to just have a product examined/tested, some standards require periodic "surveillance" of manufacturing.

[BluePen7]

The Tesla official one is $230.

All you need then is a breaker, dryer outlet, and some thick gauge wire between the two.

[hristov]

I see $200 evse’s on amazon nowadays. Only 32 amps tho. As to why they are so expensive one has to keep in mind these are inherently dangerous so they do not buy the cheapest parts, they have to go through a longish federal approval process and the companies probably have higher insurance costs.

[dylan604]

> As to why they are so expensive one has to keep in mind these are inherently dangerous so they do not buy the cheapest parts, they have to go through a longish federal approval process and the companies probably have higher insurance costs.

We hope. I don't trust anything being sold on Amazon or any other such website known for scams, knockoffs, and otherwise shite products being passed for legit. I'm less concerned about the price of the components vs the quality of the components. You can have cheap quality but a high price just to fool people that expensive is good.

[sokoloff]

Could you say more about or provide links to this “federal approval process”? It’s the first I’ve heard of it for at-home level 2 EVSE units.

[sowbug]

Supply and demand. See also $40 HDMI cables at Best Buy.

[jtagen]

I'm not sure I buy this. If someone can hack this together for <$100 at home, there should be plenty of supply to meet the demand.

$40 HDMI cables are an option (albeit a terrible one). For EVSEs, there really isn't a reasonably-priced alternative on the market right now.