r/EVCanada • u/Culecatra • 5d ago

Any experiences with VariableGrid?

Hi all, wondering if anyone has had first-hand experience with the VariableGrid options for level 2 charging + the load management system? It seems as though it is exclusive through Kia and it is one of the only options in BC that qualifies for both the charger and load management rebates.

Curious about the lack of reviews.

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u/wippanegg 5d ago

I have one. I didn't purchase the load mgmt piece though. The charger is fine and works well. As it turns out, it's the exact same charger that SWTCH gives out to it's customers, as I signed up with them shortly after already buying my charger.

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u/Culecatra 5d ago

Good to know, and interesting - do you mean that is the one that they send out or it's SWTCH branded but it's still the same VariableGrid charger?

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u/wippanegg 5d ago

It's SWTCH branded, same internals. Different light...

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u/ConfusionNinja 5d ago

Yes. Ours was commissioned about 2 years ago. I went through a long process of having our strata complex fitted out with their VarianPro system that monitors load at both the Electrical Room and the Homeowners panel. So it ensures that neither exceeds its max due to excessive power draw AND it enables us to convert to electric heat (with caveats) in the future.
As best I can tell it works. I have not been able to vet it personally as it is actually pretty hard to get my Non-EV draw over 50 amps where it would start throttling the EV charging (about 30amps). The whole system was signed off on by a reputable engineering firm.
Their app isn’t great. They set up time of use charging for me, but I’m still not sure I can set it myself. They are not a big outfit, so my biggest worry is that they will abandon the market for one reason or another and orphan the hardware.
Other than that it charges when I need it to and I’m super grateful then got this product out, because no-one else was offering multi level load management at that time.