Ohme Home Pro vs Rolec EVO: Smart Tariffs or Smart Value?

Two Capable Chargers, One Big Question: Where Do You Want to Save Money?

The Ohme Home Pro and Rolec EVO both deliver 7.4kW single-phase charging with solar integration, app control, and dynamic load balancing. On paper, they look remarkably similar. In practice, they're solving different problems — and the right pick depends entirely on whether you'd rather save money on your electricity bill or at the point of purchase and installation.

In a nutshell:

• Ohme Home Pro (£535): The smart tariff specialist. Automates off-peak charging to slash running costs, with 4G backup and a colour display.
• Rolec EVO (£449): The value champion. Built-in PEN fault detection, 5-year warranty, and a feature set that punches well above its price.

Can the Rolec EVO's Lower Total Cost Beat the Ohme's Bill Savings?

The headline price gap is £86. But the real difference is bigger than that.

The Rolec EVO includes built-in PME/PEN fault detection, which means your installer doesn't need to fit a separate device or install an earth rod. That typically saves £100-200 on installation costs. Add that to the lower unit price and you're looking at potentially £186-286 less to get charging. The Rolec also ships with a CT clamp for dynamic load balancing and two RFID cards — no extras to buy.

The Ohme counters with something the Rolec can't match: direct smart tariff integration. If you're on Octopus Intelligent Go or similar variable-rate tariffs, the Ohme automatically shifts your charging to the cheapest 30-minute slots without you lifting a finger. Charging at ~7p/kWh instead of a standard rate of 24p/kWh saves roughly £400-500 per year for an average Tesla driver. That wipes out the Rolec's upfront advantage within months. If you're not on a smart tariff and don't plan to switch, that saving evaporates entirely.

Tethered vs Untethered: A Bigger Deal Than You'd Think

This is the kind of thing that sounds trivial until you're standing in the rain at 11pm. The Ohme Home Pro comes tethered with a 5m cable permanently attached — you pull it out, plug in, done. The Rolec EVO is untethered only, so you'll carry your own Type 2 cable to and from the car each time.

For a dedicated home charger on a driveway, tethered is almost always more convenient. The Rolec's untethered design does have an upside if multiple household members have EVs with different cable lengths, or if you want to use the socket with a future vehicle. But for the daily routine of a single Tesla, the Ohme's grab-and-go cable wins on pure ease of use.

One caveat: the Ohme's standard 5m cable is shorter than many rivals. If your parking spot is further from the charger, you'll want the optional 8m version at extra cost.

Ohme Home Pro vs Rolec EVO: Which Has the Better App and Connectivity?

The Ohme app is mature and polished. Session cost tracking, tariff integration, solar diverting controls, and scheduled charging all work reliably. The built-in 4G SIM (included free for three years) means it stays connected even if your home Wi-Fi doesn't reach the charger — a real advantage for detached garages or driveways far from the router.

The Rolec EVO app is newer and, frankly, still catching up. The hardware connectivity is impressive — Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0, and Ethernet — but the software experience has had mixed reviews from early adopters. Rolec is actively developing it, and the OCPP 1.6J support means the EVO could work with third-party platforms in future. But right now, if app reliability matters to you, the Ohme is the safer bet.

The Rolec does have one nice hardware touch: an IK10 impact resistance rating, the highest available. If your charger is exposed to potential knocks — near a tight driveway or in a shared area — that's reassuring.

Solar Charging: A Genuine Draw

Both chargers offer solar diverting, and both do it well. The Ohme integrates solar surplus charging through its app. The Rolec includes dedicated Eco and Eco+ modes with a CT clamp in the box, making setup straightforward. Neither has a clear edge here — for a deeper look at solar-specific options, see our solar charger guide.

Which Should You Buy?

Buy the Ohme Home Pro if:

• You're on Octopus Intelligent Go, Octopus Go, or another smart tariff
• You want a tethered charger for maximum daily convenience
• Your Wi-Fi doesn't reach your charger and you need 4G fallback
• You value a proven, polished app experience

Buy the Rolec EVO if:

• You want the lowest total cost including installation (built-in PEN detection saves £100-200)
• A 5-year warranty matters more than smart tariff tricks
• You prefer an untethered socket for flexibility with multiple vehicles
• You want a UK-manufactured unit with strong build quality

For most Tesla owners who aren't yet on a smart energy tariff, the Rolec EVO is the smarter financial decision — lower upfront, lower install costs, and a warranty that outlasts the Ohme by two years. But if you're already on a variable-rate tariff or willing to switch to one, the Ohme Home Pro's automated savings will outstrip every penny of the Rolec's cost advantage within the first year. Check our EV tariff comparison to see which tariffs are available to you — that single decision should drive your charger choice.