Humax has entered the EV charging market for the first time in the UK.

The Ecord is designed for easy installation and use at residential properties

Best known for its digital TV recorders and smart home devices, the South Korea-based business has a 35-year background in manufacturing and the automotive mobility sector, with a portfolio covering smart parking, fleet management, shared mobility and electric vehicle charging.

The company is now extending its smart EV charging solutions into Europe with an initial launch in the UK, backed by a comprehensive customer support infrastructure.

First to arrive is the Ecord 7.4kW home charger. It’s designed for easy installation and use at residential properties, either wall-mounted or on a pedestal. It comes with a 4m or 7m Type 2 cable and can be controlled manually using RFID technology or by the Humax Ecord app.

It’s OZEV grant approved, allowing UK customers to apply for a £350 grant towards installation, where applicable. Installation and support will be provided by a dedicated partner – to be announced later this month – which will provide a survey, installation and post-installation support service to Humax customers across the UK.

Energy consumption costs can be reduced by setting a preferred charging schedule. The app will learn the driver’s usage patterns and track their charging history. If the charger has more than one user, multiple profiles can be created in the app, allowing them to share usage history and be notified when the charge point is ready.

The Ecord is also solar compatible, allowing excess solar energy from home PV systems to charge the owner’s vehicle. ‘Solar’ mode allows owners to charge only from electric generated from their PV panels, whereas ‘Solar and Grid’ mode enables users to make the most of any solar energy, while topping up from the grid to ensure the vehicle is fully charged when needed.

It also comes with a pre-set feature for charging outside peak hours (8am to 11am, 4pm to 10pm weekdays), enabling owners to support the grid while benefitting from lower energy rates.

Jeff Kim, president of Humax, commented: “Humax is recognised for its manufacturing heritage, its reliability and strong customer service across a wide range of sectors from TV devices to mobility solutions. The Ecord 7.4kW Home Charger is the first model in our EV charging series, confirming our commitment to sustainability and the smart home ecosystem. The EV charger range will be supported by a dedicated team of Humax customer service professionals, with a smooth installation process and outstanding post-purchase care assured by our trusted service partner.”

The Humax ECORD 7.4kW Home Charger will be available from 28 March 2024, with a suggested retail price of £599 (4m) and £649 (7m) including VAT.

More Humax EV charger models will be announced over the coming months.