Ohme ePod Installation

Key Features and Specifications

Understanding what the Ohme ePod offers begins with a closer look at its technical specifications and feature set. Each element is described in detail, ensuring you have a comprehensive understanding of its features and benefits. Every aspect has been designed with a specific user benefit in mind, from faster charging to future-proof connectivity.

Smart Charging Capabilities

The ePod’s intelligence lies in its software. Through the Ohme app, available on both iOS and Android, users gain full remote control over charging sessions. This includes scheduling charges to start and stop at specific times, setting cost caps to avoid bill shock, and reviewing detailed charge history with associated costs. Users can also align charging with off peak hours to take advantage of lower electricity rates.

Integration with UK energy suppliers such as Octopus Energy and OVO Energy allows the charger to connect directly with your energy provider for smart charging. This enables easy energy tariffs integration, so the ePod can seamlessly connect to your electricity tariff and automatically optimise charging based on the most cost-effective periods. The system can also respond to grid signals, adjusting power delivery dynamically to reduce strain during peak demand. For those on variable tariffs, this feature alone can translate into substantial annual savings.

Firmware and software updates are delivered automatically over the air via the built-in 4G connection, ensuring the charger remains secure and up to date without user intervention.

Design and Build Quality

Ohme has clearly prioritised durability and discretion. The ePod’s compact dimensions, 230mm high, 140mm wide, and 100mm deep, make it easy to install in tight spaces or alongside other home infrastructure. The minimalist design won’t dominate a driveway or garage wall, and its neutral finish blends into most environments. When not in use, the ePod maintains a neat appearance, keeping cables organised and the area tidy.

The charger is rated IP54 for weatherproofing, meaning it’s protected against dust ingress and water splashes from any direction. The IK08 impact rating provides assurance against accidental knocks or vandalism. It’s also fire-rated, adding an extra layer of safety for both indoor and outdoor installations.

Mounting options are flexible: the unit can be fixed to a wall or installed on a suitable post, and it’s designed to function reliably in all UK weather conditions.

Dimensions – H230 x W140 x D100

Power output

The ePod delivers 7.4kW of charging power at 32 amps and 230 volts. In practical terms, this means it charges roughly twice as fast as a standard three-pin plug. For a typical EV with a 60kWh battery, this translates to a full charge in around eight to nine hours, comfortably overnight for most users.

Whilst 7.4kW isn’t the fastest home charging option available, it strikes a sensible balance between speed, cost, and compatibility with standard single-phase domestic electrical systems. It’s sufficient for daily driving needs without requiring expensive electrical upgrades in most homes.

4G Connectivity

One of the ePod’s standout features is its built-in 4G multi-network SIM card. This removes the dependency on home Wi-Fi, which can be unreliable in garages or external walls. The always-on connection ensures the charger remains accessible via the app, even if home broadband drops out.

This connectivity also enables the charger to receive real-time tariff data, push notifications to users, and download firmware updates automatically. It’s a feature that future-proofs the device, allowing Ohme to add new functionality or integrate with emerging smart grid technologies without requiring hardware changes.

Solar Compatibility

For homeowners with solar PV installations, the ePod offers a compelling proposition. The charger can be configured to prioritise surplus solar energy, diverting excess generation directly into the vehicle rather than exporting it to the grid at typically lower rates.

This not only reduces the carbon footprint of charging but also maximises the financial return on solar investment. The system intelligently balances solar availability with charging needs, topping up from the grid only when necessary.

Universal Socket

The ePod is fitted with a Type 2 socket conforming to the IEC 62196 standard. This is the universal connector type for all electric vehicles sold in the UK and across Europe, ensuring compatibility with every major EV brand and model, from Teslas to Nissan Leafs, BMW i3s to Hyundai Konas.

Users supply their own charging cable (typically provided with the vehicle), which plugs into both the charger and the car. This tethered approach offers flexibility, allowing different vehicles to use the same charger without compatibility concerns.

Dynamic load balancing

Dynamic load balancing is a critical feature for households with limited electrical capacity. The ePod continuously monitors the power being drawn by other appliances and adjusts the charging rate accordingly to prevent overloading the home’s electrical supply. By enabling users to monitor energy usage in real time, dynamic load balancing helps optimise energy usage and manage charging costs more efficiently.

This is particularly valuable during evening peak times when multiple high-power devices, such as ovens, kettles, or electric showers, are in use. The charger reduces its output temporarily, then ramps back up when capacity becomes available. This intelligent load management protects circuit breakers and ensures safe, reliable operation.

Warranty

Ohme backs the ePod with a three-year warranty as standard. This covers manufacturing defects and component failures, providing peace of mind for the initial ownership period. Given that EV chargers are expected to operate daily for many years, a solid warranty is an important consideration, and three years is competitive within the market.

How the Ohme ePod Works

The process of starting a charging session with the Ohme ePod is designed to be smooth and user-friendly, guiding you from plugging in your vehicle to managing your session through the app or physical controls.

Effective planning is key for both installation and daily use, users can schedule charging sessions around their routines or specific departure times, ensuring flexibility and cost savings. During installation, selecting the optimal position for the charger is important for convenient cable routing and easy access.

Using the Ohme ePod is straightforward, whether controlled via the smartphone app or the physical buttons on the unit itself.

To begin a charging session, the user plugs their EV’s Type 2 cable into both the vehicle and the ePod socket. From there, charging can be initiated immediately using the ‘boost’ function, ideal for urgent top-ups, or scheduled to start at a specific time, such as when off-peak tariffs activate.

The Ohme app serves as the primary interface for most users. Within the app, drivers can set charging schedules, define cost limits, view real-time charging status, and receive notifications when charging is complete or if any issues arise. For those without smartphones or in situations where the app isn’t accessible, the charger’s built-in buttons provide basic start, stop, and boost controls.

Behind the scenes, the ePod communicates with energy suppliers and the local grid through its 4G connection. If the user is on a smart tariff, the charger automatically schedules sessions to align with the lowest-cost periods. If solar panels are installed and configured, the charger prioritises surplus solar generation, drawing from the grid only as needed.

Dynamic load balancing operates continuously in the background. The charger monitors the household’s total electrical load and adjusts its power draw to stay within safe limits. If demand spikes, say, during dinner preparation, the charger temporarily reduces output, resuming full power once the load decreases.

This combination of automation, user control, and intelligent power management makes the ePod feel less like a simple appliance and more like an integrated component of a smart home energy ecosystem.

Cost Savings and Energy Efficiency

One of the most compelling reasons to choose the Ohme ePod over a standard charger is its potential for significant cost savings. With the Ohme ePod, you can start saving money right away by optimising your charging schedule and taking advantage of smart features designed to reduce expenses. By leveraging smart tariffs, off-peak charging, and solar integration, users can dramatically reduce the running costs of their electric vehicle.

Off-peak electricity rates in the UK can be less than half the price of daytime rates. For example, Octopus Energy’s Intelligent Octopus Go tariff offers rates as low as 7p per kWh during designated overnight periods, compared to standard rates that can exceed 30p per kWh. By scheduling charging exclusively during these windows, an EV driver covering 10,000 miles annually could save hundreds of pounds each year, making it an effective way to save money on your energy bills.

The ePod’s cost-capping feature adds another layer of control. Users can set a maximum spend per charging session, preventing unexpectedly high bills if tariff rates fluctuate or if charging takes longer than anticipated.

For households with solar panels, the ePod’s ability to prioritise surplus solar energy offers both financial and environmental benefits. Instead of exporting excess generation at export rates of around 4–15p per kWh, that energy can be used to charge the EV, effectively ‘free’ fuel that would otherwise go to waste. Over the lifespan of the vehicle and charger, this can amount to thousands of pounds in savings, whilst also reducing reliance on grid electricity and lowering the household’s carbon footprint.

Choosing a home EV charging solution like the Ohme ePod not only adds convenience but can also increase your property value and make you eligible for government grants, further enhancing the benefits of installing a home EV charger.

EV Tariff Integration

The Ohme ePod’s direct integration with UK smart EV tariffs is a key differentiator. Rather than requiring users to manually set timers or remember when rates change, the charger automatically syncs with the tariff schedule.

Supported tariffs include Octopus Energy’s Intelligent Octopus Go, Intelligent Octopus Flux, and others, as well as OVO Energy’s Charge Anytime offering. Once linked, the ePod receives real-time pricing data and schedules charging sessions to coincide with the cheapest periods, all without user intervention.

This seamless integration removes the hassle of optimising charging manually and ensures users consistently benefit from the lowest available rates. It’s a practical example of how smart home technology can deliver tangible, ongoing value with minimal effort.

Safety Feaatures

Safety is paramount in any electrical installation, and the Ohme ePod incorporates multiple layers of protection to safeguard both users and property. The Ohme ePod is fully compliant with relevant safety standards and regulations, providing peace of mind for both users and installers.

The charger includes a built-in 30mA Type A Residual Current Device (RCD), which continuously monitors for earth leakage and disconnects the supply if a fault is detected. This protects against electric shock and fire risk. Also, a 6mA DC-sensitive device provides protection against DC fault currents, which can occur in EV charging and may not be detected by standard AC RCDs.

The ePod is also fire-rated, meaning its construction and components meet stringent standards for fire resistance. Combined with the weatherproof IP54 rating and IK08 impact resistance, the unit is designed to operate safely in a wide range of environments, from exposed outdoor driveways to indoor garages.

Built-in earthing protection

One of the more advanced safety features of the Ohme ePod is its built-in PEN (Protective Earth and Neutral) fault detection. This addresses a specific risk in UK electrical installations where the combined earth and neutral conductor can fail, potentially leaving exposed metalwork at a dangerous voltage.

PEN fault protection continuously monitors the earthing integrity and will disconnect the charger if a fault is detected, preventing electric shock or damage to the vehicle. This feature is becoming increasingly important as more local authorities and grid operators mandate PEN fault protection for new EV charger installations.

The inclusion of PEN fault detection as standard, rather than as an optional extra or requiring external devices, demonstrates Ohme’s commitment to meeting the highest safety standards and future-proofing installations against evolving regulations.

Compatibility with Electric Vehicles

The Ohme ePod’s universal Type 2 socket ensures compatibility with every electric vehicle currently available in the UK and European markets, including plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV). This IEC 62196 standard connector is fitted to all modern EVs, including popular models such as the Tesla Model 3, Nissan Leaf, Volkswagen ID.3, BMW iX, Hyundai Ioniq 5, MG ZS EV, and Polestar 2, among countless others.

Because the ePod uses a socket rather than a tethered cable, users supply their own charging cable, typically the one provided with the vehicle. This approach offers several advantages. Different vehicles can use the same charger without compatibility concerns, and if a cable is damaged, it can be replaced without needing to service the charger itself.

The ePod also supports charging multiple cars in households with more than one EV or PHEV, making it ideal for families or businesses managing several vehicles. The 7.4kW output is compatible with both single-phase and three-phase vehicles, though it will charge at the single-phase rate. For most UK households with single-phase supplies, this is the optimal setup, balancing charging speed with electrical infrastructure requirements.

Customers benefit from the ePod’s flexibility, as it meets the needs of both homeowners and businesses by supporting a wide range of vehicles and charging scenarios. Whether switching between multiple EVs in a household, accommodating visiting vehicles, or future-proofing for the next car purchase, the ePod’s universal compatibility removes a common point of friction in home charging infrastructure.

Ohme App Integration and User Experience

The Ohme app is the nerve centre of the ePod experience, and its design reflects a clear focus on usability and practical functionality.

Available for both iOS and Android, the app connects to the charger via the built-in 4G connection, enabling remote control from anywhere with mobile data or Wi-Fi. The home screen provides an at-a-glance view of charging status, including current power draw, session duration, estimated completion time, and cost so far.

Scheduling charges is intuitive. Users can set specific start and stop times, choose to charge only during off-peak periods, or let the app automatically optimise based on linked smart tariffs. For those times when an immediate top-up is needed, the ‘boost’ button overrides schedules and begins charging instantly.

Cost tracking is a standout feature. The app logs every charging session with detailed breakdowns of energy consumed, time taken, and total cost. Over time, this builds a comprehensive picture of running costs, making it easy to compare against previous petrol or diesel expenses and quantify the savings from switching to electric.

Notifications keep users informed without being intrusive. Alerts can be configured for charging completion, session errors, or when cost caps are reached. For households with multiple users, the app supports shared access, so everyone can monitor and control charging as needed.

Firmware updates happen silently in the background, pushed over the 4G connection without user intervention. This ensures the charger benefits from the latest features, security patches, and compatibility improvements without the hassle of manual updates.

Overall, the app experience is polished, responsive, and genuinely useful, not just a token addition. It transforms the ePod from a simple charging point into a smart energy device that actively contributes to household efficiency and cost management. Users also have access to a comprehensive range of services through the app and support channels, including installation assistance, consultation, and ongoing customer support.