Enphase Unveils the IQ EV Charger 2: A Bold Step Into the Future of Home Backup
- Dale Rolph
- 23 hours ago
- 3 min read
Enphase has done something few expected. The company, long known for its microinverter technology and modular energy systems, just announced the IQ EV Charger 2 — and it’s a complete departure from their usual approach. In fact, this is Enphase’s first central inverter, designed to transform not only how we charge electric vehicles but also how we back up our homes.
Pre-orders are already live on Enphase’s website, but shipments aren’t expected until November of 2025. That’s a long wait, but what’s inside this system makes it worth paying attention to today.
From Microinverters to Central Power
For years, Enphase has built its reputation around microinverters — compact devices that sit behind each solar panel, delivering modularity, flexibility, and reliability. Even their first-generation EV charger leaned into that DNA by tethering itself to the IQ 5P battery and operating through the microinverter ecosystem.
The IQ EV Charger 2 changes everything. It’s a standalone, central inverter EV charger that connects directly to a vehicle’s DC ports and carries its own onboard inverter. That design allows it to push out massive amounts of energy, rivaling or surpassing Tesla and Ford’s home backup offerings.
Power Numbers That Impress
Here’s where the specs speak for themselves:
19.2kW AC output on single-phase power — more than enough to back up an entire home.
22.1kW AC output on three-phase integration — perfect for larger systems or commercial applications.
Up to 19.2 kW continuous charging power for EVs, ensuring fast overnight charging even for large battery packs.
Support for both 400V and 800V architectures, keeping it compatible with today’s EVs and tomorrow’s.
Options for Type 1 or NACS charging standards, giving flexibility depending on your vehicle.
Put simply, this unit delivers nearly double the backup capacity of competitors like Tesla’s Wall Connector or Ford’s Intelligent Backup Power system.
A Cleaner, Simpler Install
One of the pain points with Enphase’s current battery systems is the wall clutter. Homeowners often end up with an IQ Combiner box, an IQ System Controller, and sometimes an IQ Load Controller. It works — but it’s bulky.
The IQ EV Charger 2 solves this with just two devices:
The charger itself
The IQ Meter Collar
The IQ Meter Collar acts as an automatic transfer switch, installed behind the utility meter. It makes the entire home backup-ready without requiring additional panels or controllers. Less equipment, cleaner installs, and fewer headaches.
Vehicle-to-Home and Vehicle-to-Grid Ready
The real star feature is bidirectional capability. The IQ EV Charger 2 supports both Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) and Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) configurations where utilities allow.
With V2H, your EV becomes your backup battery during a power outage.
With V2G, your EV can send power back to the grid during peak demand — potentially earning credits or payments from utilities.
This aligns perfectly with the growing trend of EVs becoming part of a smarter, more distributed energy grid.
Cost, Timing, and the Tax Credit Problem
As exciting as this all sounds, there are caveats. The unit isn’t expected to ship until November of this year. That means it will miss eligibility for the current 30% federal investment tax credit for clean energy products.
Pricing hasn’t been announced, but based on comparable systems and Enphase’s premium positioning, the unit will likely cost between $3,000 and $5,000 with the IQ Meter before permits and installation. By the time labor and materials are factored in, homeowners could easily be looking at a $10,000 EV charger.
Yes, that sounds steep. But when compared to Tesla or Ford’s full backup solutions, the pricing is actually competitive — especially since Enphase has streamlined the install process.
Why This Matters for Homeowners
For homeowners already invested in the Enphase ecosystem, the IQ EV Charger 2 could be the missing piece. Instead of adding expensive stationary batteries, your EV itself becomes the backup power source.
This approach offers:
Lower upfront hardware clutter
Simplified installation
Future-proof support for modern EVs
Integration with Enphase’s growing energy ecosystem
And if Enphase brings this central inverter philosophy to their future battery products, it could reshape how homeowners think about storage altogether.
The Bottom Line
The IQ EV Charger 2 is more than just an EV charger. It’s a statement of intent from Enphase: they’re expanding beyond microinverters into central power systems, EV integration, and grid services.
With its high output, simplified design, and bidirectional capabilities, this is one of the most exciting clean energy products on the horizon. Sure, we’ll have to wait until 2026 — but for Enphase homeowners, the wait might be worth it.
Check out the official resources here:
Enphase IQ EV Charger 2
👉 Would you spend $10,000 on an EV charger if it could keep your entire home running during an outage? Let us know in the comments below.
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