Do I Need a Special EV Charger to Use Solar Power?
No. Most EV chargers can use solar electricity automatically when it is available.
You do not need a special EV charger to benefit from solar power. A standard home EV charger will automatically use solar electricity whenever it is available as part of your home’s supply.
Solar electricity flows into the home first. If your EV is plugged in while solar panels are generating excess electricity, the charger will draw from that supply without needing any specific solar-only features.
Some smart chargers offer advanced solar optimisation options, such as matching charging speed to available solar generation. These features can help maximise solar usage, but they are not required to use solar at all.
Without smart optimisation, the charger may still draw some electricity from the grid alongside solar, especially during higher-power charging. This is normal and does not mean solar is not being used.
In most homes, solar and EV charging work together automatically. Special chargers are optional rather than essential.