The METRON SMART portable EV charger is a compact, lightweight yet versatile portable charging solution that can be used from an industrial socket, or even from a household socket with a suitable adapter. Its essence is that it turns a conventional connection point into a safe and controllable EV charging point, while offering several features that bring it closer to the world of smart wall chargers.
One of the charger's core features is adjustable charging current. Using a button directly on the device, the user can set the desired current in several steps, so charging can be matched to the electrical network at the given location. This is especially useful when the available outlet, the main fuse, or a temporary network environment does not allow the use of maximum power. The device stores the selected setting, so it starts with the same charging level the next time it is used.
METRON has its own local WiFi access point and provides a pre-installed web-based control interface. This means it can be accessed from a phone, tablet, or computer without installing a separate mobile app. Through the local interface, the charging current can be set, the amount of usable energy can be limited, timed or weekly scheduled charging can be configured, and the main charging data — such as power, current, voltage, and energy consumed — can be monitored.
If the charger also gets an internet connection via a local WiFi network, cloud-based remote management also becomes available. Through this, the device can be checked and controlled from anywhere over the internet. The system also supports remote monitoring, settings management, and firmware updates, so the device's software can be kept up to date over the internet.
The charger is capable of dynamic load management, but this does not work on its own: it requires a separate METRON Dynamic EV Charging Unit and current sensors to be installed. With this, the system monitors the instantaneous electrical load of the house or building and adjusts the car's charging power accordingly. The goal is to prevent EV charging from overloading the main fuse, with charging automatically scaling back or increasing depending on available capacity. According to the manufacturer, one such unit can control up to 150 Metron portable or wall chargers and is supported for main fuses rated up to 1000 A.
In the case of a solar or other local power generation system, the charger also offers additional energy management functions. The system can take the house's own generation into account and also enables charging based on surplus solar energy. This means the vehicle charges from surplus energy not used locally, instead of being fed back into the grid, allowing self-generated energy to be used more efficiently.
The device also supports Modbus TCP/IP communication, so it can be connected to an external home automation, building management, or energy management system. The external system may be able to read real-time charging data as well as control the charging current. This can be particularly interesting in an integrated smart-home or corporate energy management environment.
The safety features are one of the product's strongest points. The device has built-in Type A 30 mA AC + 6 mA DC residual current protection, giving it a high level of user protection. It also performs an automatic RCD self-test, monitors for overheating, and stops charging in case of a fault. In certain versions, it also monitors the mains plug for overheating, and in such cases it temporarily pauses charging and then automatically restarts after cooling down. The device monitors internal overheating, leakage current, the RCD self-test result, and faulty fusing of the power switch as well.
The LED indicator system signals several states. It shows the saved charging setting, standby status, charging in progress, a fully charged vehicle, as well as various faults, such as overheating, shutdown due to leakage current, a failed self-test, or a general station or vehicle fault. The indicator light also shows whether there is an active connection with the dynamic load management system.
The Tesla-compatible versions offer an additional convenience feature. The button on the Type 2 connector can be used to remotely open the Tesla's charging port or release the connector lock. This makes daily use easier, since there is no need to use the central display or the phone to open the charging port or release the cable. The system may also be able to wake the Tesla vehicle.
The device's physical design also makes it suitable for outdoor use. According to the manufacturer's data, it can be used in environments between -30°C and +50°C, is impact-resistant, some parts are UV-resistant, the mains-side connector is IP67, and the vehicle-side connector is IP44 rated. This means it can provide a suitably robust solution for normal outdoor use, travel, temporary installations, or even regular everyday use.
Overall, the METRON SMART portable EV charger is not simply a portable cable, but a partially smart, expandable mobile charging solution also prepared for energy management functions. In its base configuration it is a portable charger with adjustable power, safe and remotely trackable, and with the additional system it is also capable of dynamic load balancing, solar surplus management, and integrated energy management.