Note: Solar Choice is independent and provides unbiased reviews for those considering an EV Charger in Australia.
Autel Company Overview
Autel Energy is a Chinese company founded in 2004. They develop and sell a range of automotive electronic accessories. The first developed their EV charging solution in 2021.
Autel is a public company, listing on the Shanghai Stock Exchange in 2020. In 2023 they reported revenue of AUD$650m and net profit of AUD$40m which makes them an established, financially stable player in the EV charging industry.
Autel has a local office/warehouse located in Capalba, QLD, however the number listed for their Australian subsidiary (Autel Australia Pty Ltd) is based in Japan. The Australian subsidiary was set up in early 2022.
Autel EV Charger – Available Models in Australia
There are currently 2 variations of EV chargers available for residential users in Australia. Please note that there are some technical specification variations to the models that are available in Europe and USA. The below table has been validated with resellers in Australia.
| Product Name | Autel MaxiCharger AC Lite | Autel MaxiCharger AC Elite Wallbox |
| Image |  |  |
| Approx. Retail Price | $800 | $1,300 (single phase) $1,500 (three phase) |
| Power Rating | Up to 7.4kW (Single Phase) | Up to 7.4kW (Single Phase) Up to 22kW (Three Phase) |
| Country of Manufacture | China | China |
| Dimensions | 335 x 187 x 85 mm | 336 x 187 x 85 mm |
| Weight | 7kg | 9kg |
| Display | 4 x LEDs for Power, Internet, Bluetooth and Charge Status | 4 x LEDs for Power, Internet, Bluetooth and Charge Status or 5-inch LCD Touch Screen (Optional) |
| Cable length | 5 metres | 5 metres |
| Solar only mode? | ||
| Connectivity | Wifi, Bluetooth, Ethernet & 4G (optional) | Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Ethernet & 4G (optional) |
| OCPP | OCPP 1.6J & OCPP 2.0 | OCPP 1.6J |
| Environmental Protection Rating | IP54 | |
| Warranty | 3 Years | 3 Years |
| Datasheet |
Key Features of Autel EV Chargers
After going through the different Autel charger models and comparing against the other options on the market here is what stands out
Built in RCD Type A + DC 6mA leakage protection
Autel have built in the intelligence to detect leaks which can avoid power usage spirally and keeps your device safe.
Rapid Installation
Autel claim their chargers can be installed in as little as 8 minutes. Whether this will be true in your case or not, the product has been designed to streamline the installation process which will keep costs down for your electrician.
Connectivity – Ethernet & OCPP
It is great to see that the Autel EV charger can be connected via ethernet cable (along with Bluetooth/wifi). Often wifi reception can be limited in the garage and having a stable internet connection is important. Additionally, Autel’s EV charger can communicate via Open Charge Point Protocol (OCPP) which gives owners greater flexibility in terms of the 3rd party apps and uses for the charger.
Autel EV Charger App
Autel EV charger’s app is powerful and an advantage for users. The app enables you the basic control of the charger, but also maintains a history of usage. Autel even will translate this for you into a charging cost and CO2 saving.
As is expected for EV charging apps, users can schedule their charge, adjust charge speed and monitor everything in real-time.
The app can activate a charging session via NFC, RFID, Autostart (starting when plugged in), Siri, Alexa and Google Home.
How Much Do Autel EV Charger Cost?
The pricing in the below table is indicative of the retail price of the hardware only. Typically installation from a qualified electrician will cost at minimum around $800 and can go up from there depending on whats involved. You can check our national average prices in our EV Charger Price Index.
| Autel MaxiCharger AC Lite | $800 |
| Autel MaxiCharger Elite Wallbox – Single Phase | $1,300 |
| Autel MaxiCharger Elite Wallbox – Single Phase | $1,500 |
Autel Warranty Offer for Australian Customers
Most EV Chargers in Australia come with a 1 to 3 year warranty.
On face value, Autel’s warranty looks to be strong as their chargers come with a 3 year warranty. Autel Energy also appear to be a relatively financially stable company with strong profits reported in past year.
The one cause for concern is the lack of support available from Autel domestically in Australia. They do have an address listed in Capalba, Queensland, but there is no Australian contact phone number available.
Their technical support email (ausupport@autel.com) is the same as the one listed for other parts of the Asia-Pacific region.
If you are seeking technical support or trying to claim warranty, it seems the main contact will be the electrician who installed the device and the wholesaler. It would be important to ensure you are dealing with an electrician that is likely to be around for at least the 3 years of warranty.
Pros and Cons of Autel EV Chargers
Pros
- AC Lite is one of the most cost-effective models on the market
- Connectivity available via ethernet and OCPP
- Comparatively long warranty offer for Australian customers
Cons
- Limited Australian presence with no direct contact number
- Less product options currently available in Australia (e.g. extended 7.6m cable, colours)
Should I buy an Autel EV Charger?
The technical specification for EV chargers compare very well, particularly for their lower priced AC Lite model. At the price point <$1,000 there are few options available with the same amount of flexibility.
Autel Energy are a well established company that look to be financially stable. The one cause for concern is their limited domestic support in Australia.
If you go ahead with an Autel EV Charger, we encourage you to ensure that you are dealing with an established electrical company that is likely to be around for a good amount of time, to help you with tech support and warranty claims if necessary.
- Autel MaxiCharger – An Independent Review - 2 October, 2024
- Solar Panel Costs: Solar Choice Price Index | October 2024 - 1 October, 2024
- Apartment EV Charging: All You Need To Know - 30 September, 2024
