Let the electrons FLO.
Now that Canadian EVSE maker FLO is bringing their high-quality charging stations to the US, we thought the readers here would appreciate a hands-on review. FLO has been selling their products for two years now, and has delivered about 4,000 units to Canadian customers.
Charger News
There are two versions of the FLO’s charging station; the Home X5 and the Home G5. The only difference is that the Home G5 is the standard unit, and the Home X5 adds connectivity with an app and Smart charger features. The Home X5 is available in gray (Tungsten) or black (Carbon), while the Home G5 is only available in black.
Flo stations feature an ITT J1772 connector, charge at 240-volts, 30-amps and can deliver up to 7.2 kW. They come standard with a 25-foot cable, which is notable since some other EVSE manufacturers charge extra for a 25-foot cable, and both stations are officially rated to operate in a temperature range of.40 °F to 122 °F.
The first thing you’ll notice when unpacking a FLO Home is how heavy it is. This thing is solid, and weighs 25 lbs! The outer casing is made of solid aluminum and is NEMA 4X certified, meaning it is protected against foreign objects entering the unit, as well as water and damage caused by the formation of ice on the enclosure. The JuiceBox made by eMotorWerks is the only other EVSE with a solid metal outer case that I’ve tested.
Currently, FLO EVSEs are only available as hard-wired units, and a plug-in version is not available. Installing the FLO is pretty straightforward. First you need to attach the mounting bracket to the wall. As mentioned above, this is a heavy unit, so make sure you have the mounting plate secured strongly to the wall. You then secure the rear housing of the station to the mounting plate with one screw located on the bottom of the station. Attach the three wires from your feed, and then attach the front cover with two screws.
Once you’ve installed the unit, it’s time to download the FLO app, create an account with FLO and connect the device. Here’s where the FLO is a little different from other connected EVSEs like the ChargePoint Home and the JuiceBox Pro 40. FLO doesn’t use Wi-Fi to connect the station, it uses a PLC (power line communication) device.
You need to plug the PLC into an outlet in your home (directly into an outlet, not into a surge suppressor or power strip), then attach the provided ethernet cable to the PLC unit and plug the other end into your router. It works fine, as long as you don’t have other PLCs in your home already, which I did. I had two PLCs in service already before I plugged in the one for the FLO. One was for my SunPower solar monitoring system, and the other was for a Netgear Wi-Fi extender that I have to improve my home’s Wi-Fi signal.
As soon as I plugged in the FLO PLC, my Wi-Fi went down and none of the PLCs would work. However, after a phone call to FLO tech support we were able to get everything back up and working. Just beware of this potential issue if you currently have any PLCs working in your home.
I used the FLO Home X5 for a week to charge my BMW i3s and it performed flawlessly, as it should. The app displays the amount of electricity you’ve consumed in the current session, the amperage the car is taking and the duration of the session. The app also records your previous charging sessions so you can view them at a later date. The Home X5 also offers a power-sharing feature which allows the owner to install two FLO units on the same circuit without exceeding the circuit’s maximum load. That’s a good feature for homes with two EVs and only one available circuit to use for the chargers.
Pros
- Solid construction, should perform well in any indoor or outdoor environment
- 25-foot cable standard
- Connected unit with app and Smart features
- Very robust 5-year warranty
- Nice cable management and built-in LED-lit connector holster
- Not currently available in a plug-in version
- Only delivers 30 amps. Most competitors deliver 32-amps or more
- PLC device can be a problem if you already have PLCs in use at your home
- Expensive. Considerably more than competitive units from ChargePoint, ClipperCreek and eMotorWerks
Its main drawback in our opinion is the current pricing. At 995.00 for the Home G5 base FLO, and 1,295.00 for the connected version, FLO’s pricing isn’t in line with the competition. Here’s a look at how FLO’s main competitors stack up in pricing:
- ClipperCreek HCS-40 (32-amp, non connected) 565.00
- ChargePoint Home (32-amp Wi-Fi connected) 599.00
- eMotorWerks JuiceBox Pro 32 (32-amp Wi-Fi connected) 499.00
There’s is some good news on the pricing front, though. Just as we were about to post this article, we were contacted by FLO with an InsideEVs exclusive on their pricing and plug-in option. Below is an excerpt from the email we received:
- FLO Home G5 (standard model): 795
- FLO Home X5 (connected model) – with Carbon casing: 995
- FLO Home X5 (connected model) – with Tungsten casing: 1,095
OK, well that’s definitely a good start. Personally, I think all EVSE’s should be available in a plug-in unit. Plug-in EVSEs allow the owner to use one EVSE at multiple locations that they may frequent, and in many cases will reduce the installation cost. As for pricing, the 200.00 drop for the Home G5 as well as for the black (Carbon) Home X5 will definitely help to bridge the gap between FLO and their main competitors.
For more information on FLO or to order one, follow this link to their website.
Note: We received 1 FLO Home X5 unit to test and use for the basis of an honest review. No other compensation was made.
Nissan Canada and FLO Collaborate to Boost Electric Vehicle Charging Access Across Canada
In a landmark move to advance EV adoption, Nissan Canada collaborates with leading EV charging company, FLO. They are offering enhanced charging accessibility and complimentary credits to new EV buyers.
What’s Happening
FLO a premier electric vehicle (EV) charging enterprise in North America and provider of intelligent charging solutions, has announced a strategic partnership with Nissan Canada to enhance EV charging convenience through two key initiatives: complimentary FLO charging credits and increased availability of FLO’s residential EV chargers across Canada for new vehicle purchasers.
Why It Matters
As part of the joint initiative, Nissan Canada customers who purchase or lease a new Nissan EV, in conjunction with the Nissan EV Care protection package, will receive 150 worth of charging credits. Additionally, FLO Home chargers can now be procured by Canadian drivers directly at Nissan dealerships throughout the country.
Key Points
FLO’s President and CEO, Louis Tremblay, stated that with a rising number of EVs hitting the roads, FLO aims to equip drivers with accessible, secure, and reliable EV chargers, whether at home or on-the-move. He warmly welcomed new Nissan drivers to the FLO network, which prides itself on a 98% network uptime. Tremblay underscored that these collaborations with Nissan signify the beginning of their shared commitment to accelerate EV adoption across North America.
FLO is committed to providing EV drivers with a smooth network of user-friendly EV charging stations and a comprehensive array of reliable charging solutions. New initiatives ensure Nissan drivers gain access to the FLO EV Charging Network, enabling them to charge their EVs at FLO Level 2 DC fast chargers located coast-to-coast across Canada and the U.S.
Ben Lee, President of Nissan Canada Extended Services Inc. (NCESI), expressed excitement about the collaboration with FLO. He highlighted the provision of 150 in charging credits to new Nissan EV drivers alongside their Nissan EV Care protection package and the added advantage of purchasing FLO Home chargers directly from Nissan Canada dealerships.
Bottom Line
Nissan Canada has adopted the FLO Home charger as the designated home charging unit offered at its dealerships. The ENERGY STAR certified home charger, designed to withstand harsh weather conditions, promises durability with its 100% aluminum, waterproof, impact, and corrosion-resistant structure. It charges most vehicles within 6-8 hours, enabling drivers to recharge overnight. The X5 model comes with advanced Smart charging features, which allow customers to schedule charging times, limit power during peak hours, track usage, and manage settings through their iOS or Android device.
For additional information on FLO’s collaborations and partnerships with automakers, visit flo.com. To gain insights into FLO’s uptime calculations, visit: 98% Uptime.
The EV Report
The EV Report is a digital platform dedicated to the global electric vehicle industry. It is a product of Hagman Media Group, and its mission is to inform, engage, and connect industry professionals and EV enthusiasts with relevant news and insights.
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Tired of Broken EV Chargers? These Ones Claim To Be 98 Percent Reliable
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Anyone who’s tried to venture far enough away from home in an electric vehicle that’s not a Tesla probably has a few charging horror stories about stations that don’t work as advertised (if at all), due to failures of connectivity, hardware, software, or vandalism. Who makes the most reliable public EV charger? Well, if its track record north of our border carries over as it expands in the U.S., the answer could well be Quebec-based Flo. This company ranks number 1 in Canada, boasting 360,000 members that register over 1 million charges per month with access to 71,000 public chargers. Flo’s North American network boast an up-time rate of 98 percent, which is well reflected in its customers’ reported 92-plus percent rate of satisfaction. How does Flo do it? The company hosted an event for the Automotive Press Association to explain how it hopes to build the most reliable EV charger network in North America.
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1) Vertical Integration
Flo builds its stations from parts sourced as close as possible to home (with an estimated 80-percent North American content that easily qualifies these chargers for the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program (NEVI Formula) to fund EV infrastructure. But beyond the manufacturing, Flo also does its own station monitoring, maintenance, and repair. Yes Flo employs its own trained maintenance/repair staff and operates its own user app and call center. Flo’s operational business plan is to sell stations to dealers, charging networks, etc. and then provide monitoring and maintenance as a service, with each technician trained to repair anything on any charger. Company President and CEO Louis Tremblay admits that this level of vertical integration is expensive, but it leaves customers with only one neck to choke if something goes wrong—which is apparently infrequently.
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2) Robust Hardware Software
This seems like a no-brainer, but Flo claims to overbuild many aspects of its charging stations. They’re outfitted with far more computing power than they require at the time of deployment, so they’re future-proofed for updates over the years. Their hybrid air and liquid cooling systems are outfitted with much larger fans than most use, but this lowers the noise level and guarantees against edge-case problems during record heat waves.
3) Design for Repairability
The Flo Ultra features large front and rear double doors for easy access, the components are all modular and upgradable, and mounted to an aluminum enclosure. While the hardware is all hardened, it’s also sized so nothing is too large for a single technician to lift out and replace (some competitor components require fork-lifts to move the biggest components).
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4) Extensive Sensor Suite
Some of the lower performing chargers offer limited remote monitoring that doesn’t extend much past being hailed and responding that they are online and basically functional, even when the screen has been destroyed or the charging cord vandalized. The Flo charging station sensors monitor all such functions and can report to the monitoring station when something goes wrong or if performance is degrading to suggest imminent trouble and allow for preemptive maintenance.
5) Vandalism Countermeasures
There’s only so much that can be done about vandalism, but Flo’s latest Ultra Series fast chargers are designed with bright lighting to dissuade some vandals. They’re also equipped with cameras and microphones—primarily to allow call centers to communicate with customers having issues, but these are also act as a deterrent to bad actors.
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6) Designed to Fail Safe
Flo charging stations are programmed to remain functional, recording the data required to bill customers even in the event of a loss of communications. So just because there’s some local internet outage, the charging station can continue charging vehicles.
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7) 98-Percent Guarantee
The Flo monitoring, customer call center, and maintenance/repair staff are all keenly aware that there’s money on the line if a charger goes down, because Flo is on the hook to reimburse lost revenue on any unit that falls short of that mark.
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250,000 Chargers by 2028; 40,000 Branded GM Ultium
The goal is to have 250,000 Flo charging stations deployed in the U.S. by 2028, probably 80 percent of which will be home units. Flo will supply GM’s Dealer Community Charging Program with 40,000 public charging stations (the company’s Core Max and Core Level 2 chargers capable of delivering up to 19.2kW).
The program involves dealers identifying areas in their community that are underserved by the public charging infrastructure. Then GM buys the stations, the dealers pay for their installation, and Flo handles all the maintenance and customer interaction. The idea is to boost EV sales by building public confidence in the infrastructure and bolster sales of GM Ultium vehicles. These stations will join both the Flo network and GM’s Ultium Charge 360 network and will be available to all EV drivers.
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Flo Ultra DC Fast Chargers
The latest Flo charging station design is configured with two chargers per unit, designed for pull-in or pull-through parking arrangements. Their lighted canopies convey the charging status with a ring of green (free) or blue (charging) light that can be seen from a distance. These canopies also include a patent-pending motorized assist to lighten the heavy-gauge cooled charging cord supporting it and helping reel it in. These were designed with ADA compliance in mind. The unit can dispense a maximum of 320 kW to a single vehicle, or 160 kW each with two vehicles plugged in.
Watch your local region for the appearance of Flo charging stations, and see if they qualify as the most reliable EV charger in your area.