Editor’s note, April 2026: Sync Energy is part of the Luceco Group. We are reviewing current availability of the Sync EV charger. At the time of writing, the product’s retail status should be verified on Luceco and Sync Energy channels before purchase. If you need an available alternative today, see our all home EV chargers comparison.
The Sync EV is a 7.4kW smart home charger from Sync Energy, part of the UK-listed Luceco Group, historically priced around £599 for the unit. Its defining feature is a system of nine interchangeable faceplates that lets you match the charger’s appearance to your home’s exterior — an unusual offering in a market where most smart chargers come in one or two colours. OCPP 1.6J compatibility, IP66 weatherproofing, and a 3-year warranty round out a competent mid-range specification.
- Power: 7.4kW single-phase (32A)
- Cable options: Type 2 tethered (5m or 7.5m) or untethered socket
- Price from: ~£599 unit (verify at syncev.com or luceco.com); typical installed ~£800 to £1,100
- OZEV grant: Approved for flats and rented accommodation (verify current list at gov.uk)
Sync EV verdict: who should still consider it?
Consider the Sync EV if:
- You want the most affordable smart charger with a tidy, customisable exterior design
- You already own one and need specification information for an installer or warranty claim
- You are comparing budget smart chargers and want a realistic picture of where this unit sits
Skip the Sync EV if:
- You need native Octopus Intelligent Go API integration — the Ohme ePod integrates more deeply with Octopus
- You want a 2026 premium smart charger with an active development roadmap and longer-term firmware support
- You cannot confirm current retail availability — if the product is out of stock or withdrawn, see our home EV charger comparison
Current availability and the Luceco connection
Sync Energy is a UK brand wholly owned by Luceco Group PLC, a British electrical accessories manufacturer listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE: LUCE). The Sync EV charger launched around 2019 and gained traction through 2020 to 2023 on a combination of competitive pricing and faceplate customisation.
April 2026 status: Verify current retail availability at syncev.com and luceco.com before purchase. Check major UK retailers including Amazon UK and Screwfix for stock status. If the product has been rebranded under a Luceco name or if a successor model has been launched, the specification and pricing will differ from this review.
If you purchased a Sync EV and the retail line has since been withdrawn, warranty claims remain the responsibility of Luceco Group under UK consumer law (Consumer Rights Act 2015). Contact Luceco customer support directly for after-sales assistance.
This review is maintained for buyers researching the product ahead of a second-hand purchase, comparing historical specifications, or seeking support documentation.
Key specs at a glance
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Brand | Sync Energy (Luceco Group) |
| Power | 7.4kW (single-phase, 32A) |
| Connector | Type 2 tethered (5m or 7.5m) or untethered |
| Faceplates | 9 interchangeable colours |
| Protection | IP66, IK10 |
| Connectivity | 2.4GHz Wi-Fi, optional 4G module |
| RFID | On selected models |
| Protocol | OCPP 1.6J |
| Warranty | 3 years |
| OZEV grant | Approved (verify current list at gov.uk) |
| V2G / V2H | No |
Smart tariff compatibility and app control
The Sync EV’s app supports schedule-based charging: you set a time window (for example, 00:30 to 05:30 to align with Octopus Go), and the charger charges within that window. This works well for fixed off-peak tariffs.
| Tariff | Integration |
|---|---|
| Octopus Go | Time-of-use schedule — works well |
| Intelligent Octopus Go | Not natively API-integrated; use time schedule to align with window |
| OVO Charge Anytime | Verify current compatibility with OVO — check OVO’s approved charger list |
| British Gas Electric Driver | Schedule-based |
| E.ON Next Drive | Schedule-based |
The key limitation is the absence of a native Octopus Intelligent Go API integration. Chargers with native integration — Ohme, Hypervolt — respond to extended cheap windows that Octopus dispatches for grid demand management. The Sync EV uses a fixed timer and misses those extensions. For most buyers on Octopus Go (the non-Intelligent version), the schedule-based approach works fine. For Intelligent Octopus Go users who want maximum value from extended cheap windows, Ohme is the stronger choice.
OCPP 1.6J support means the Sync EV can be paired with third-party charge point management systems (such as Monta) if your installation requires centralised fleet or multi-unit management.
For a broader view of UK EV tariffs, see our UK EV smart tariff guide.
Solar compatibility
The Sync EV is solar-compatible in the scheduling sense: you can set a daytime charging window to coincide with peak solar generation. It does not include a built-in CT clamp for real-time surplus matching — the kind of dynamic modulation that the myenergi Zappi and Indra Smart Pro offer.
In practice:
- You can schedule charging during daylight hours to absorb daytime generation
- You cannot modulate the charge rate dynamically to track surplus second by second
- You will export solar to the grid at times when your solar exceeds home consumption, rather than redirecting it to the car in real time
For households with solar panels who want genuine surplus-only charging, the myenergi Zappi or Indra Smart Pro are the appropriate choices. See our best solar EV chargers UK guide for a comparison.
Installation, pricing, and the OZEV grant
Historic unit-only price: approximately £599 inc VAT (verify current pricing at syncev.com or UK retailers before purchase — prices vary).
Typical installed cost: £800 to £1,100 depending on:
- Cable run length from the consumer unit
- Whether the consumer unit requires work
- Installer day rates in your region
OZEV chargepoint grant: The Sync EV has historically been on the OZEV approved product list, qualifying for the £350 grant for residents of flats and rented accommodation. Verify the current approved product list at gov.uk before purchasing on the basis of grant eligibility, as the list is periodically updated.
For a full breakdown of what EV charger installations typically cost, see our EV charger installation cost guide.
Sync EV vs comparable budget and mid-range chargers
| Sync EV | Rolec Wallpod | Easee One | Ohme ePod | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Design | 9 interchangeable faceplates | Functional | Compact, minimal | Very compact |
| Smart tariff | Schedule-based | Basic | Good | Native Octopus IG (deepest) |
| Solar integration | Scheduled window | None | Limited | Limited |
| IP rating | IP66 | IP54 | IP54 | IPX4 |
| OCPP | 1.6J | 1.6J | 2.0.1 | 1.6J |
| Approx. unit price | ~£599 | ~£399 | ~£799 | ~£899 |
| Warranty | 3 years | 1 year | 3 years | 3 years |
Sync EV vs Rolec Wallpod: The Rolec Wallpod is simpler and cheaper, but offers minimal smart features on its base model. The Sync EV adds Wi-Fi scheduling and RFID on selected variants for a modest premium.
Sync EV vs Easee One: The Easee One has a more polished app and OCPP 2.0.1 on newer firmware, which positions it better for long-term tariff evolution. The Sync EV’s IP66 rating beats the Easee’s IP54 for exposed outdoor installs.
Sync EV vs Ohme ePod: Ohme is the stronger choice if Octopus Intelligent Go is your primary tariff. The ePod’s native API integration delivers more value from the extended cheap-window feature. The Sync EV has a price advantage and the faceplate customisation option.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- Nine interchangeable faceplates — genuinely unusual design flexibility
- IP66 weatherproofing — better than most rivals at this price
- IK10 impact resistance
- OCPP 1.6J for third-party management integration
- Optional 4G module for Wi-Fi-poor driveways
- RFID authentication on selected models
- British-backed support via Luceco Group
Cons:
- Availability uncertain as of April 2026 — verify before purchase
- No native Intelligent Octopus Go API integration
- No true solar surplus matching — schedule-only solar interaction
- No V2G or V2H bidirectional capability
- App update cadence slower than Ohme, Hypervolt, or myenergi
- No ISO 15118 / Plug and Charge support
If the Sync EV is unavailable, or if native Octopus or OVO smart tariff integration matters to you, compare the current UK home EV charger picks we track every month.
Key Takeaways
- The Sync EV is a 7.4kW smart home charger from Sync Energy (Luceco Group), historically priced around £599 for the unit; always verify current retail availability before purchasing.
- Nine interchangeable faceplates distinguish it cosmetically from most competitors at any price point.
- Smart tariff integration is schedule-based: it aligns with Octopus Go, E.ON Next Drive, and British Gas Electric Driver via time windows, but lacks native Intelligent Octopus Go API integration.
- Solar compatibility is daytime scheduling only — no CT-clamp surplus matching.
- IP66 weatherproofing and IK10 impact resistance are above-average for the price bracket.
- Consider the Sync EV for budget smart charging with design flexibility; choose Ohme or Hypervolt if deep tariff integration or solar modes are priorities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Sync EV charger still being made? Sync Energy is part of the Luceco Group. As of April 2026, retail availability should be verified at syncev.com, luceco.com, Amazon UK, and Screwfix before purchasing. If the product line has been withdrawn or rebranded, warranty support for existing units remains the responsibility of Luceco Group under UK consumer law.
Who makes the Sync EV charger? Sync Energy, a UK brand owned by Luceco Group PLC, a British electrical accessories manufacturer listed on the London Stock Exchange. The Sync EV is designed and supported from the UK.
Is the Sync EV charger compatible with Octopus Go? Yes, via schedule-based charging. Set the Sync app’s charge window to match your Octopus Go off-peak period (00:30–05:30). It is not natively integrated with Intelligent Octopus Go’s extended cheap-window API — for that, Ohme or Hypervolt are better choices.
Can the Sync EV charger work with solar panels? It is solar-compatible for daytime scheduling — you can set a window during daylight hours to charge from solar generation. It is not a true solar-diverting charger with CT-clamp surplus matching. For dynamic solar-surplus charging, look at the myenergi Zappi or Indra Smart Pro.
How much does the Sync EV charger cost to install in the UK? The unit has historically been priced around £599 inc VAT. Typical installed prices range from £800 to £1,100 depending on cable run and consumer unit requirements. The OZEV chargepoint grant of up to £350 applies for residents of flats and rented accommodation.
Useful Resources
Luceco Group corporate site https://www.luceco.com
Sync Energy product line https://www.syncev.com
OZEV approved chargepoint list https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/electric-vehicle-homecharge-scheme-approved-chargepoint-model-list
Octopus Intelligent Go partner list https://octopus.energy/smart/intelligent-octopus-go/
Compare all UK home EV chargers /all-chargers/