Easee: what is the situation after 1 YEAR

A lot has happened in the world of electric vehicle charging stations in the past year. As many of you may already know, the Belgian telecom regulator, BIPT (Belgian Institute for Postal Services and Telecommunications), decided last year to withdraw certain Easee models from the market due to specific documentation issues.

In this article, we bring good news: the previously controversial Easee models have already been replaced by two new and improved devices: the Core and the Lite. These new charging stations are also safe, reliable and ready to take the place of their predecessors. In addition, we also discuss the situation for existing charging stations and offer advice on how to deal with the situation if you currently have an Easee charging station in use.

The previous Home and Charge devices

Let’s first look back at what exactly happened. In March 2023, a European safeguard procedure initiated by Elsäkerhetsverket (ESV), the Swedish authority responsible for electrical safety, led to a ban on the sale and installation of the “Easee Home” and “Easee Charge” charging stations.
The BIPT had followed the decision of its Swedish counterpart ESV. Subsequently, it has become apparent that the Swedish Authority for Electrical Safety and subsequently also the BIPT consider the risk of serious defects to be so small that it is not appropriate to require measures to be taken for charging stations that have already been installed.

Important Notice for Existing Installations

Moving

If you currently have an Easee Home or Charge charging station installed, it is important to know that these devices cannot be reinstalled after dismantling. This means that if you move or dismantle your current charging station, you cannot reuse it at a new location. This rule was introduced to ensure that all devices continue to comply with the inspections and safety standards that were applicable at the time of installation. Existing devices cannot be exchanged for new devices free of charge.

Our advice is that if you are planning to move or sell your home/office, you should sell your current charging station. This can be done in a commercially interesting way by including the value of the charging station in the sales price. You can then purchase a new charging station for the new location, which will fully comply with the latest standards and specifications.

Warranty

The warranty naturally remains fully applicable to existing Easee Home or Charge charging stations. In the event of a defect, STROOHM must be contacted. A self-check will be carried out by the driver in consultation with our support team before a defective device can be replaced.

The New Charging Points: Core and Lite

Easee has now introduced two new models: the Core and the Lite. These devices are designed with the latest technologies and meet all legal requirements. They offer the same user-friendly experience and efficiency that Easee is known for, but with an increased focus on documentation and reliability.

Easee Core: This is the more powerful model of the two at 22kW and is ideal for locations where a lot of charging power is required and distributed. It offers smart power distribution and can easily be integrated into existing networks. The Core is perfect for both apartments and commercial applications.
Easee Lite: This model is a more affordable option and is mainly aimed at home applications. The Lite offers the same reliability as the Core, but with slightly less load balancing features with multiple chargers in the same location, making it an excellent choice for the average user looking for a simple but effective charging solution of 7.4 and 11kW.

Conclusion

The introduction of the new Easee Core and Lite models marks a new phase for Easee in Belgium. Although the problems of last year have led to uncertainties, the current situation offers clear solutions and future prospects. Make sure you leave your existing approved devices in place and consider purchasing new devices when moving or expanding.

At STROOHM, we are ready to help you with advice, installation and service of charging points. Contact us for more information or to make an appointment for a new installation.

For more details about the BIPT measures and the new Easee models, please visit the official websites and documentation of these authorities.