The Emporia EV Charger is a smart Level 2 home charging solution designed to be fast, flexible, and fully app-controlled. This article covers how the charger works, what it's certified for, how it stays up to date, and what to expect when it comes to charging your vehicle's battery.
Charging Rates and Performance
The Emporia EV Charger delivers Level 2 charging with a dynamic, fully adjustable charge rate:
Voltage Requirements: The recommended input voltage is 240V, with a minimum operational threshold of 200–205V. Ensure voltage remains above this threshold for optimal performance.
Plug-in (NEMA 14-50): Supports up to 40A, delivering approximately 9.6 kWh per hour of charging
Hardwired: Supports up to 48A when connected to a 60A breaker
Adjustable range: Charge rate can be set in single-amp increments between 6A (minimum) and 48A (maximum) for hardwired installations
Wire Gauge for NEMA 14-50: The NEMA 14-50 plug cable uses 6 AWG copper wire rated for 90°C, suitable for the charger's electrical demands.
NEC Derating Explanation: NEMA 14-50 circuits are rated for 50A but must be derated to 80% for continuous loads, limiting the charging output to 40A.
Charging regulation is primarily managed by the vehicle itself, ensuring safe and efficient charging at all times.
Key Features
Smart Energy Management — Monitor and control charging in real time via the Emporia app, including scheduling, notifications, and automated energy management
PowerSmart — Automatically adjusts charging rate to prevent electrical panel overload, avoiding costly upgrades. Included with the Pro; available as a paid upgrade for the Classic
Flexible Installation — Choose between a NEMA 14-50 plug-in or hardwired installation to suit your setup
Durable Design — 25-ft cable, J1772 or NACS connector, and NEMA 4 enclosure rated for both indoor and outdoor use
North American Compatible — Operates on split-phase 120V/240V power, standard in North American residential and light commercial setups
Installation Technical Requirements
Hardwiring for Higher Amperage: To achieve up to 48A charging, use separate 6 AWG conductors connected to internal terminal blocks. Avoid modifying the factory NEMA cable to maintain the warranty.
Safety Compliance: Follow NEC guidelines and local electrical codes to ensure safe installation. Ensure the circuit breaker, wiring, and outlet are rated for the intended charging load.
Wire Run Considerations: For long wire runs, ensure the voltage at the charger remains above 200V to avoid operational issues.
Energy Consumption and Network Usage
Standby consumption: Less than 5W (typically around 3W)
Internet usage: Approximately 2.6MB per day (~70MB per month)
Detailed power consumption data across different operational states is available on the Energy Star website.
Certifications
Both the Classic and Pro EV Chargers carry the following certifications:
UL Certified — Tested and listed by Underwriters Laboratories, meeting rigorous safety standards for electrical equipment in the United States and Canada
UL 2594, 3rd Ed.: Ensures safe use in residential and commercial settings
CSA C22.2 No. 280:22, 3rd Ed.: Canadian safety standard compliance
Energy Star Certified — Meets the EPA's energy efficiency guidelines for EV charging equipment
Overcurrent Protection — Built-in protection safeguards your home and vehicle from electrical faults
NEC Compliant — Meets US National Electrical Code requirements for EV charging equipment
Firmware Updates
The Emporia EV Charger receives regular firmware updates to improve reliability and introduce new features. Updates are handled automatically — your charger checks the Emporia cloud daily and installs new firmware when available without any action needed on your part.
How to check your firmware version:
Open the Menu (☰) in the Emporia app
Go to Settings > Manage Devices
Select your EV Charger
Tap Device Info to view the firmware version near the bottom of the screen
If you experience any issues with a firmware update, contact our Customer Support team for assistance.
Charging Limitations: Battery Percentage
The Emporia EV Charger does not control or read your vehicle's battery percentage. Vehicle battery state is not transmitted through the charge port — charging stops when the vehicle signals it is full, or when your vehicle's own charge limit setting is reached.
To stop charging at a specific battery percentage, configure the charge limit directly in your vehicle. Most vehicles allow this through the dashboard or infotainment system:
Open your vehicle's charging settings screen
Navigate to Schedule or Charge Limit (wording varies by vehicle brand)
Find the charge limit slider and move it to your desired percentage (e.g., 80%)
Plug in — your vehicle will stop charging once the limit is reached
Estimating charging time: Divide your vehicle's battery capacity (kWh) by the charger's rate (9.6 kWh at 40A). For example, an 80 kWh battery charged to 80% at 40A would take approximately 6.6 hours.
Note: Charging to 80% is widely recommended for day-to-day use to help maintain long-term battery health.
Feedback and Suggestions
This knowledge base is continuously updated to provide the most helpful guidance for Emporia customers. If you found this article unclear or have suggestions for improvement, please contact our Customer Support team.