MSI expenses into the EV market with its new ‘EV Life’ lineup

MSI is extra than simply PCs. The corporate is branching out into the world of electric-vehicle (EV) chargers, launching the Stage 2 “EV Life Plus” dwelling charger with assist for each the Sort 1 (SAE J1772) and NACS connectors.

In case you’re a tech fanatic, you already know that “PC” firms like Acer, Asus, and others have expanded into graphics playing cards, peripherals, and extra over the previous couple of years, all in a bid to diversify and develop the enterprise. MSI’s push into the house electric-vehicle charger market, nonetheless, appears to be a primary.

MSI is saying 4 “EV Life” chargers and 4 “EV Life Plus” chargers, ranging in value from between $449.99 and $599.99. Primarily, every of the 4 chargers in every EV Life or EV Life Plus class are subdivided by their out there plug connector — the Sort 1 SAE J1772 connector, the default commonplace for many level-2 EV chargers; and the NACS commonplace, which Tesla vehicles use and is being built-in into new EVs just like the 2026 Nissan Leaf for quick charging.

MSI additionally supplies hardwired choices that may be put in right into a storage, or standalone gadgets that may be plugged in. All the new EV Life and Life Plus chargers embrace a 24.6-foot cable for charging, MSI stated.

The distinction between the EV Life ($449.99 to $499.99) and EV Life Plus ($549.99 to $599.99) is the connectivity elements, in keeping with an organization consultant. The fundamental EV Life chargers use Bluetooth and your cellphone for cost administration and to switch details about the charging course of. The EV Life Plus lineup makes use of both Wi-Fi or Ethernet for this info.

A house charger can both use Stage 1 “trickle charging,” primarily utilizing the 110-volt three-prong retailers that you just’ll discover in your house or storage. They normally ship a number of miles of battery energy each hour. Electrical dryers can use 220V to 240V, and Stage 2 chargers related to those NEMA 14-50 retailers ship sufficient energy so as to add 40 miles or extra of battery vary per hour. Within the case of MSI’s EV Life and Life Plus chargers, they settle for as much as 240 volts and switch as much as 14.4kW at 60 amps, sufficient for 43 to 59 miles of charging energy, in keeping with MSI.

Although the chargers are ruggedized to face up to IP55 water and IP67 mud resistance, they could have one catch: They’re solely rated from 40 levels F to 131 levels F, which means they’ll should be stored indoors in the course of the winter months.

MSI

MSI says its chargers are UL- and Power Star-compliant, and embrace a five-year guarantee.