[Vwvkk]

I’m Expecting my I’d.4 in q2 of 2021 since it’s an AWD. However federal credits for Charger installations expire on Dec 31 2020. The Tax forms instructions don‘t stipulate you HAVE to have an EV so I’m thinking of installing it this year, unless I read the doc wrong. Does anyone know for sure? “In Service” is ambiguous since I am placing it in service for an upcoming EV purchase.

 

[Drew18]

Know anyone with an EV? Let them come charge once and it’s in service if that’s the requirement.

 

[briloop]

The instructions for IRS Form 8911 (Instructions for Form 8911 (03/2020) | Internal Revenue Service) do not require the person claiming the credit to own an EV.

 

[ID.4]

I was thinking of doing the same to get a 30% credit on the EVSE and the installation. From what I have read, you do not currently have to own an EV to claim this Federal credit via IRS Form 8911.

 

[mtourre]

I am doing this to get the 30% credit. No guarantee it will be available going forward. I have an EA station about 5 miles from my house and a couple of free chargers about a mile away, but eventually will want the ability to charge at home and will take advantage of the credit.

 

[Vwvkk]

I am doing this to get the 30% credit. No guarantee it will be available going forward. I have an EA station about 5 miles from my house and a couple of free chargers about a mile away, but eventually will want the ability to charge at home and will take advantage of the credit.

Same here. I have one EA on along the commute path and another one scheduled to be built so may not have immediate need, but want to get it in. And will be nice to have as a backup during emergencies.

 

[Huey52]

Thanks for linking. I'm no tax expert (other than as a very longstanding payee but it reads to me as well that you can install the charger this year, even without owning an EV, and still get the credit. To be "street legal" I guess I could invite a friend with an EV to charge up this year.

So now I really have to near future decide between ChargePoint and Juicebox. The former is of course from the same outfit that provides many commercial stations (to include my VW dealer) but the latter has some unique features and a bit less expensive. The ChargePoint is listed as 50A capable whereas the Jukebox 40A. I have the wiring for the higher rating but realistically 40A is plenty. Anyone have any other compelling scale-tippers? TIA

The instructions for IRS Form 8911 (Instructions for Form 8911 (03/2020) | Internal Revenue Service) do not require the person claiming the credit to own an EV.

 

[emtonsti]

Thanks for linking. I'm no tax expert (other than as a very longstanding payee but it reads to me as well that you can install the charger this year, even without owning an EV, and still get the credit. To be "street legal" I guess I could invite a friend with an EV to charge up this year.

So now I really have to near future decide between ChargePoint and Juicebox. The former is of course from the same outfit that provides many commercial stations (to include my VW dealer) but the latter has some unique features and a bit less expensive. The ChargePoint is listed as 50A capable whereas the Jukebox 40A. I have the wiring for the higher rating but realistically 40A is plenty. Anyone have any other compelling scale-tippers? TIA

@spaceid posted this 48A juicebox: At home charger

I'm in the process of changing out my previously incorrect #6 NM romex for #6 MC THHN to be code compliant for my chargepoint flex. The chargepoint flex seems good (my Hyundai electric can only do 32A charging). A lot of folks really like the juicebox units too.

When you finish the chargepoint flex install, you have to "activate" it. That might (?) do the job for IRS in service.

One drawback to the chargepoint is that it is one unit per home on the app. So, if like me, you have another (the older 32A version) installed, you have to sign in to the app as another user, not a show stopper but a pain. (They are each on separate dedicated circuits.). You don't need the App to use it, just to activate, and to see stats.

Someone posted earlier that two juicebox on the same circuit can balance load, which seems to indicate they will have no problem with two juicebox in the same home.

40A (or even 32A) is probably okay for most ID.4 owners too.

 

[Vwvkk]

Thanks for linking. I'm no tax expert (other than as a very longstanding payee but it reads to me as well that you can install the charger this year, even without owning an EV, and still get the credit. To be "street legal" I guess I could invite a friend with an EV to charge up this year.

So now I really have to near future decide between ChargePoint and Juicebox. The former is of course from the same outfit that provides many commercial stations (to include my VW dealer) but the latter has some unique features and a bit less expensive. The ChargePoint is listed as 50A capable whereas the Jukebox 40A. I have the wiring for the higher rating but realistically 40A is plenty. Anyone have any other compelling scale-tippers? TIA

I’m having the same dilemma. The app reviews for juicebox are really bad. And the in the reviews for the Unit many people seem to have had problems with it failing repeatedly and with the customer service. Costco sells the Juicebox too but many reviews there too are bad. Of course many people leave reviews when things go bad vs good so hard to gauge statistically but the number of negative reviews isn’t insignificant.

So I’m leaning towards chargepoint. I’ll likely have the electrician install two endpoints for future expansion.

 

[emtonsti]

I’m having the same dilemma. The app reviews for juicebox are really bad. And the in the reviews for the Unit many people seem to have had problems with it failing repeatedly and with the customer service. Costco sells the Juicebox too but many reviews there too are bad. Of course many people leave reviews when things go bad vs good so hard to gauge statistically but the number of negative reviews isn’t insignificant.

So I’m leaning towards chargepoint. I’ll likely have the electrician install two endpoints for future expansion.

FWIW, my chargepoint 32A failed twice (3 year warranty). Both times customer service was excellent and replaced it by FedEx, but all of these seem to fail from time to time.

 

[ErickF]

I've read enough reviews of failures that I'm leaning toward wiring a NEMA 14-50 to make it a wee bit easier to do a replacement. This would leave some flexibility on holding out for charger deals and getting a favorable appointment from an electrician.

For now, I'm leaning toward a Chargepoint, but could be swayed by a Black Friday deal.

 

[Vwvkk]

I've read enough reviews of failures that I'm leaning toward wiring a NEMA 14-50 to make it a wee bit easier to do a replacement. This would leave some flexibility on holding out for charger deals and getting a favorable appointment from an electrician.

For now, I'm leaning toward a Chargepoint, but could be swayed by a Black Friday deal.

Same here - not hardwiring — 40amp charging seems sufficient for the foreseeable future.

 

[ted99]

Take a look at the GrizzlE charger. Made in Canada. I replaced an open source Juicebox with one and could not be happier. Great price and no sales tax, as it is a Canada-made, ship from Canada transaction. Took one week from order to delivery. Working perfectly these last four months. No restriction on Fed TC, either. Real quality item. UL approved. I saw an article for it on "Inside EV's" blog and everything in the blog turned out to be true for me. I think most other EVSE's are being made in China.

 

[Vwvkk]

Take a look at the GrizzlE charger. Made in Canada. I replaced an open source Juicebox with one and could not be happier. Great price and no sales tax, as it is a Canada-made, ship from Canada transaction. Took one week from order to delivery. Working perfectly these last four months. No restriction on Fed TC, either. Real quality item. UL approved. I saw an article for it on "Inside EV's" blog and everything in the blog turned out to be true for me. I think most other EVSE's are being made in China.

Looks good on a quick glance but no app to control charging and monitor costs etc?

 

[ted99]

Looks good on a quick glance but no app to control charging and monitor costs etc?

e-mail updates I have received from them as a consequence of my purchase say they either are, or shortly will be, adding app control.

 

[Huey52]

I had planned to hardwire, just for one less connection point, but if periodic replacement is going to be an issue then perhaps a plug-in is the better way to go? Considering 6-50 for no particular reason other than the potential female socket type, not yet installed.

FWIW, my chargepoint 32A failed twice (3 year warranty). Both times customer service was excellent and replaced it by FedEx, but all of these seem to fail from time to time.

 

[mtourre]

I had planned to hardwire, just for one less connection point, but if periodic replacement is going to be an issue then perhaps a plug-in is the better way to go? Considering 6-50 for no particular reason other than the potential female socket type, not yet installed.

I’m going with the plug in for ease of replacement if needed. I don’t want to have to schedule and pay an electrician to just replace the thing if needed. I also think 40A is going to be more than sufficient for my everyday needs.

 

[ted99]

A 6-50 outlet does not require a white "neutral" wire, while a 14-50 does. The neutral wire is so that an appliance can run 110v as well as 220v from the same plug connection. This is an artifact from when appliances had 110v analog clocks and control circuitry in addition to 220v heating elements. Hardly ever used these days, but there are a lot of 14-50 outlets installed in houses. If you are doing new installation, 6-50 only requires 3 wires, while 14-50 requires 4.

 

[Huey52]

Yes exactly, and also the 6-50 connection would better facilitate a welder, etc.

A 6-50 outlet does not require a white "neutral" wire, while a 14-50 does. The neutral wire is so that an appliance can run 110v as well as 220v from the same plug connection. This is an artifact from when appliances had 110v analog clocks and control circuitry in addition to 220v heating elements. Hardly ever used these days, but there are a lot of 14-50 outlets installed in houses. If you are doing new installation, 6-50 only requires 3 wires, while 14-50 requires 4.

 

[Vwvkk]

e-mail updates I have received from them as a consequence of my purchase say they either are, or shortly will be, adding app control.

So there’s a WiFi module on the main board already?