Looking for a smart charger that lets you tap into cheap tariff rates? The Indra Smart PRO offers this and a bounty of other features.
In addition to scheduling and ready by time features, you can delay charging sessions to ensure they take place at the cheapest time. This is fantastic if you have an EV tariff that offers cheap rates for a few hours a day.
Are there any downsides? It’s big, and curiously, there’s no Wi-Fi as standard, only Ethernet, although you can add a 2.4/5GHz Wireless USB Wi-Fi Adapter or 4G dongle. Our Indra Smart PRO review reveals all.
Let’s jump in:
Indra Smart PRO Review
Summary
The Indra Smart PRO is a great charger with solar integration and a reliable web-based app. It’s British-made and charges at speeds up to 7.4kW, adding up to 30-miles of range per hour. It’s easy to install and use, with scheduled charging and a tariff mode to fine-tune when and how your car charges.
Pros
- Tariff integration (ideal for EV tariffs with special rates)
- Solid as a rock
- Good web app
- Solar support
- Multiple charge modes, including a Boost Mode for max power
- Tethered or untethered
Cons
- Not very inconspicuous
- No all-black option to blend in
- No Wi-Fi as standard (Ethernet only, although you can add 4G and Wi-Fi optionally with USB expansion)
- Quick review
- Quick specs
- How easy is the Indra Smart PRO to install?
- Indra Smart PRO design
- LED status lights
- Charging speed
- 3 charging modes
- Smart scheduling
- Solar matching
- Tariff integration
- Connectivity
- Indra Smart PRO app (Kaluza)
- Firmware updates
- Customer support
- Indra Smart PRO verdict
- Indra Smart PRO alternatives
- Indra Smart PRO documentation
Quick review
The Indra Smart PRO makes charging your electric car easy, with dedicated modes for smart scheduling, off-peak charging, ready by time and solar matching. In fact, we listed it as one of the best EV chargers with solar you can buy.
There’s also a Boost mode on the charger and in the app for overriding schedules, and a tariff mode that lets you input your tariff details, so your car starts charging at the off-peak rate when it becomes available.
It charges at 7.4kW (the fastest speed for single-phase) with variable 6A to 32A charging. In use, the Indra Smart PRO is a dream and it’s a well-engineered product from an electrician’s point of view with proprietary PESTs technology for PEN faults.
Overall, there’s nothing bad about the Indra Smart PRO. It’s a solid all-rounder.
Quick specs
- Rated power 7.4kW
- Mode 3: Type 2 socket, Type 1 or Type 2 tethered cable
- Charging current 6A-32A variable
- Protection 6ma DC leakage detection
- Standby consumption <5W
- Type: Tethered or untethered (5m cable if tethered)
- Dimensions 200mm x 420mm x 130mm (WxHxD)
How easy is the Indra Smart PRO to install?
The Indra Smart PRO has several design features that get the thumbs up, including Wago connectors instead of screw terminals, and an earth reference electrode setup for PEN faults (proprietary technology called protective Earth, Simultaneous Touch (PESTs) protection). It can also be installed without a reference electrode for installations that do not fall under the requirements of 722.411.4.
“The Indra Smart PRO has easy termination with Wago connectors and the CT clamp connection is simple. The only downside to installation is it is bottom entry only, so the cabling needs to run below the unit, so hiding it behind the casing isn’t an option. A Type A RCD is required but earthing is built in. The PESTs earthing is an elegant solution unique to Indra; it makes sense and inspires confidence in the design, which I have to say is impressive.”
Matt Yates, Severn Sparks Ltd
The PESTs technology is unique to the Indra Smart PRO. It’s a handy technology for solar support because if the solar causes a fluctuation, then the PEN fault won’t kick in, because the charger will check the earth via a reference spike.
Because it has in-built earthing, no earth rod or earthing device is required, and installation is a case of connecting it up to a Type A RCD (Max 30mA). It is good practice to use a double pole isolator switch for the EV charger.
The CT clamp is installed with a punch down tool. Inside the casing, there’s enough room to move the wiring around and the Wago connectors make termination easy. The circuit board and residual components are of good quality.
Overall, the Indra Smart PRO is no harder than any other charger to install. It feels solid and the internals are all made to last.
Indra Smart PRO design
If you want an inconspicuous home charger, look away now.
The Indra Smart PRO is on the larger side, measuring 200mm x 420mm x 130mm (WxHxD). To put that into context, it’s shorter and narrower than the Zappi v2 but a little thicker (the Zappi v2 measures 282 mm x 439mm x 122mm).
Home chargers being as large as this isn’t a problem for me, especially with tethered units on which a cable tends to blend in.
The cable tidy is neat, with the cable wrapping around the back of the device out of sight. The charger end slots into a recessed holster built into the front of the charging unit, creating a seamless all-in-one unit.
The colour scheme is white and black, and that’s the only option. We’d like an all-back option, but the Stormtrooper colour scheme here looks great.
The front of the charger is home to LED status lights. The primary status LED highlights the operational state and mode, and there are four small individual LEDs below it that indicate whether the unit is disconnected from your EV, idle, or charging.
The front of the charger also has a BOOST button, which when pressed overrides any schedules and charge settings and gives maximum power immediately. This is useful when you want to top up without messing about with your phone.
In terms of build quality, the Indra Smart PRO is satisfyingly robust. It doesn’t move when you use the cable, and the holster has a small click when the charger is inserted. It inspires confidence and is as well made as the Hypervolt charger.
LED status lights
- White – Smart Mode. The unit is connected to Indra for scheduled charging.
- Blue – Boost Mode. Activated via the Indra App or using the Boost button.
- Orange – Solar Match Mode. The Indra is being powered by solar.
- Purple (flashing on start) – Booting up.
- Blue (flashing) – Software updating.
- Purple (flashing after start-up) – Communication problem to Indra App.
In addition, there are two fault modes:
- Red (flashing) – Temporary fault. Try resetting the charger.
- Red – Fault Mode. The Indra has a permanent fault and needs to be inspected.
Charging speed
The Indra Smart PRO charges at speeds up to 7.4kW, adding up to 30-miles of range per hour. The current load is variable, so the charge speed can drop as low as 2.3kW (the same as a 3-pin plug) when needed.
3 charging modes
There are 3 charging modes: Smart, Boost & Home Alone
- Smart Mode: This is the default charging mode. It automatically calculates your charging schedule every time you plug in using information about your energy tariff and charge by time (if set). This mode makes use of scheduling.
- Boost Mode: Boost mode overrides all schedules and settings, providing immediate access to charging at the fastest possible speeds. You can switch Boost Mode on and off in the App or on the front of the Smart PRO itself.
- Home Alone Mode: Home Alone is a dumb charger mode that doesn’t require an internet connection to work. In this mode, the Indra Smart Pro works as a simple socket, providing a source of power when you plug into it.
Smart scheduling
The smart scheduling feature is managed in the web app. By default, the smart schedule is set for 7 am weekdays and 9 am at weekends but you’ll probably change this to something that suits your lifestyle more.
Scheduling requires inputting your vehicle’s battery capacity (kWh). Once set up, scheduling is handled by Smart Mode and can be overridden with Boost Mode.
Solar matching
The Indra Smart Pro is solar PV ready, capable of diverting surplus energy into your EV for off-the-grid charging. As always, the charge speed on pure solar is limited by the size of your solar PV setup, with most homes generating under 4kW.
Thankfully, like all EV chargers with solar support, the Indra Smart PRO can use a combination of solar and grid. In this configuration, your solar panels might provide 1-2kW of power and the Grid might supply the rest to make 7.4kW.
Solar matching is set up in the Indra App, which provides a useful snapshot of information including energy from the grid and energy from solar.
Tariff integration
For me, tariff integration is the Indra charger’s best feature.
Tariff integration lets you add your energy tariff details to ensure the cheapest charging session, and it also shows charging costs. It’s an excellent feature that many chargers don’t have, and it makes the Indra Smart PRO very handy.
Connectivity
The Indra Smart PRO has Ethernet as standard, so no Wi-Fi. 4G connectivity and Wi-Fi is available optionally to access smart features with no home internet connection.
In practice, having no Wi-Fi isn’t a big deal. Ethernet is more reliable. The only problem with Ethernet is the need for an Ethernet cable. You might not have one of these close to the install point, so it may add an additional cost to your installation.
Indra Smart PRO app (Kaluza)
The Indra App is the best web app we have used on a smart charger, and it works well everywhere, including Android, iOS & Windows. You access it via a web browser, and you can save it as an icon on your home screen for fast access.
The app is provided by Kaluza and integrates with Indra’s hardware perfectly.
Following installation, you get a welcome email from Indra detailing how to register for the Indra App. Basically, all you need to do is visit the Indra App webpage, create an account and connect to the charger wirelessly.
The setup wizard takes a few minutes to complete, babying you through the different modes and detailing how to add local generation and other things. It’s an elegant, refined experience that instils a sense of quality in the software.
Unlike some apps, the Indra App shows detailed Analytics with things like how much you’ve spent charging and how much energy you’ve used. You can see power draw in a graph and view a graph of all your previous charging sessions.
You can switch Boost Mode on and off in the Indra App, which enables full power charging from the mains supply, overriding other settings.
Overall, the Indra App is a smart, elegant piece of software that delivers a great user experience. Being a web app, it isn’t stored locally on your smartphone, but this is actually a plus, since it eliminates the need for app updates.
Firmware updates
The Indra Smart PRO has over-the-air (OTA) updates. Firmware updates are handled automatically for a seamless ownership experience.
Customer support
Indra has favourable reviews online and electricians we’ve spoken to rate the support desk highly, with phone calls typically answered in 5-10 minutes. The customer telephone number is 01684 770 631. You can contact them here.
Indra Smart PRO verdict
With full tariff integration, the Indra Smart PRO is an outstanding choice if you have an EV tariff with special kWh rates. You can set it to only charge between certain times and at certain prices, ensuring the cheapest possible charge.
Concerns over it only having a web app are unfounded, with the Indra App providing an excellent user experience, one that is better than most apps from other providers. Besides, you can always save the web app to your home screen.
The lack of standard Wi-Fi tethers you to Ethernet unless you get a Wi-Fi USB adapter or 4G dongle, and the unit itself isn’t particularly small. No all-black option means it always stands out.
Overall, the Indra Smart PRO lives up to its smart name. It achieves a score of 4.5/5, marked down for no standard Wi-Fi and a limited colour range.
Indra Smart PRO alternatives
The only smart home charger to achieve a score as high is the Hypervolt Home 2.0, which is in the same league and a direct alternative.
Another alternative is the Zappi v2, which is enormous but well made and smart. We awarded the Zappi 4.3/5, so less than the Indra.
Indra Smart PRO documentation
More resources can be found here.
This review was produced in collaboration with Severn Sparks, OZEV Approved Installers of electric vehicle home chargers in Gloucester and the Cotswolds. We extend our thanks to Matt at Severn Sparks for the photos used in this review. Be sure to visit them if you like what you see!
Got the free Indra charger from Vanarama it’s got no display so don’t know what the difference is, but the one we have is anything but smart in the app or user interface you set times you wish your car to charge but it asks what time would you like your car charged by not what time you want to stop the charge, so if your car isn’t fully charged by 04.30 taking advantage of cheap overnight tariff it will crack on charging the only way for you to take advantage of an cheap overnight tariff like octopus energy have is for Indra to put the unit in pause mode which you can’t do yourself they have to do it, but it doesn’t work with all EVs as we have found out having tried for the last month, The Indra charger doesn’t like my MG 5 EV, by the definition’s set by the government of what is required of a smart charger this unit fails as the user doesn’t have full control of setting up a timed charging schedule, buyer beware
Only a single comment on the top-rated charger? We looked at Indra for our installation, but there were no local installers (Hertfordshire). Indra were slower off the mark (no local installer) and requested changes to our mains supply that were not a problem to local installers. The lack of local installers was a big negative for us.
Had this charger for 3 weeks and indra cannot get app to work. They have recently updated app. Wouldn’t charge on schedule, no live or historic data, last fault it had made it charge when it was saying it was off!!. Spoke to their help desk numerous times but kept getting fobbed off that app was in development/ issues now resolved but never were.
I emailed their management team/ directors etc stating the issues I was having..10 minutes later I got phoned to say they where happy for me to get a rival company’s charger installed, didn’t even want to resolve. Luckily I had it installed by ChargedEV who are changing it to an Ohme.
Very bad company!
Yikes! They have a pretty responsive Twitter account. Try @ing them
Carl Falconer
are you still having issues with your MG 5 EV and the Indra?
I have a Renault Zoe EV and the schedule part of the app does not work with my car. I am unable to use my off peak tariff unless I do this manually! Same issues as above, no joy from either Indra or Egg where I purchased the charger and app from.
Any advice welcome at this stage!
I have had an Indra smart charger for nearly 18 months now. Thinking of scrapping it because (1) the web app was fine but now replaced with a regular app that doesn’t work at all for much of the time, doesn’t keep a record of charging history, and cannot cope with more than one EV – no facility to track more than one car (we have two EVs). To be fair to it it did recently start providing a charging history – but that has now failed again completely (2) the boost button is supposed to make the charger charge your EV – or you can let it decide for itself (it will supposedly pick when the grid is greenest), which makes it random whether or not it charges (I usually want to control it so I can use wind generation when it’s windy). But I have in recent months found it randomly stops and then starts again when on boost so it is very unreliable. (3) support desk is not sufficiently helpful – they cannot tell me how to get it to work with our wind and solar generation that is controlled by myenergi hub. They pretty much ran out of things to say after saying “CT clamp”. I really should have got a zappi and might do so and scrap this really annoying charger
Yikes! Have you tried contacting the management for advice? Go to the top.
I’ve been using this charger for over a year now. The 2022 version of the App was completely useless, just a simple timer. All other function pretty much failed to work as described.
The 2023 version is a lot better and generally works. There is often a disconnect between the information my car gives and what the app says, and the solar feature is flaky.
The biggest issue is lack of support. Only available during standard business hours, problems seem to occur at weekends and high occurrence on Bank Holidays for some reason.
This bank holiday the app will not login and says ‘contact support’ which is not available.
The website is of no use whatsoever.
Its been over a week since lost access to the app, cannot login or manage charger.
Emailed and phoned multiple times, each call goes along the lines of:
1. They are having issues with the app
2. Have lots of customers issues
3. They will make mine high priority
4. Somebody will get back to me.
This implies I’m probably not the only one.