AmpCharge home EV charger: Flash vs Bolt, specs and install

AmpCharge has two models, and AU$100 separates basic from smart

Two models. One price gap. One meaningful difference: connectivity.

The Flash (AU$699 RRP, indicative as at June 2026) is the plain-charger option.1ampcharge.ampol.com.auView source It outputs 7.4kW on a single-phase 32A circuit, comes with a 5m tethered Type 2 cable, and carries an IP65 weather rating. No WiFi, no OCPP, no app. The LED tells you it's charging. Built for buyers who want to plug in overnight and do nothing else. The Flash is not available in South Australia.

The Bolt (AU$799 RRP, indicative as at June 2026) adds WiFi, OCPP 1.6j, and access to the AmpCharge Driver Portal.1ampcharge.ampol.com.auView source That portal lets you set a charging schedule, monitor sessions, and adjust from your phone. The charging hardware underneath is the same: 7.4kW, single-phase, 5m Type 2 cable, IP65. It is the only AmpCharge model available in South Australia.

So what does that AU$100 buy you? One question settles it: do you want to set a charge schedule or charge at off-peak rates? If yes, the Bolt is the better pick. If you just want overnight charging with no fuss, the Flash does the job. Neither model has solar integration built in. The Bolt's OCPP means a third-party energy system could in theory link up, but the maker doesn't advertise any solar-scheduling feature. For a charger with built-in solar, the Zappi is the main comparison point.

Flash vs Bolt, side by side

Both models share the same charging hardware. The difference is entirely in connectivity. Prices are manufacturer RRP as at June 2026 and are indicative.

Single-phase at 7.4kW is the ceiling for both AmpCharge models

Both models are single-phase only. No three-phase option, no 22kW home version currently for sale.1ampcharge.ampol.com.auView source Worth knowing before you buy.

Single-phase power runs a 32A charger at 230 volts. Multiply 230V by 32A and you get about 7,360W, or roughly 7.4kW. That's the limit. At 7.4kW, a typical EV adds around 35 to 40km of range per hour. An eight-hour overnight charge gives back roughly 280 to 320km. For most Australians' daily driving, that's more than enough.

But if your home has three-phase power and you want to use it for faster charging, AmpCharge has nothing for you right now. The 7kW vs 22kW guide explains what the speed gap actually means in practice, and the best home EV charger guide lists brands with three-phase options.

South Australia buyers: only the Bolt is legal to install

If you're in South Australia, this section is the one that matters most.

As the manufacturer states, any hard-wired EV charger installed in South Australia after 1 July 2024 must have internet and on-board communication capabilities.1ampcharge.ampol.com.auView source The Flash 7kW has no WiFi and no connectivity of any kind. It does not meet that rule. Ampol does not offer it for sale or installation in SA.

The Bolt 7kW has OCPP 1.6j, which meets the connectivity requirement. It is the only AmpCharge model available in SA.1ampcharge.ampol.com.auView source

A note on this rule: the SA government's source page returned an error during research, so the rule is noted here as the manufacturer states it. A licensed electrician who knows SA installation rules can confirm compliance for your specific job. Do not rely on this page alone for regulatory advice.

What does EV charger installation cost?

What a licensed electrician charges to fit an AmpCharge charger

EV charger installation is licensed electrical work in Australia. Ampol can arrange a licensed electrician through its own network, or you can use your own. The install must meet AS/NZS 3000:2018 (the Wiring Rules) and your state's Service and Installation Rules.4ampcharge.ampol.com.auView source Not a DIY job.

Ampol's own service starts from AU$1,100 including GST for a standard home install as at June 2026.4ampcharge.ampol.com.auView source Independent electricians price their own jobs separately. The widget above shows typical market rates from SureQuote's pricing data.

A standard install covers: charger mounting within 20m of your switchboard, a dedicated circuit breaker and safety switch, an isolator near the charger, cabling and containment, testing and commissioning, and travel up to 50km.4ampcharge.ampol.com.auView source

Several things push the cost up. A cable run beyond 20m is extra. If your switchboard doesn't have a spare 32A circuit, an upgrade is a separate job. Other things not included: apartment or multi-storey installs, trenching, asbestos removal, and single-to-three-phase supply conversion. Ampol's install page also notes that Queensland chargers may be limited to 20A or need a network device, as the manufacturer states, though this has not been checked independently.4ampcharge.ampol.com.auView source A licensed electrician will look at what applies to your home and quote the full job.

For a full picture of what the installation process involves, and what it costs to charge an EV at home once it's running, those guides cover the detail.

AmpCharge is priced for single-phase buyers who want a no-frills AU brand

AmpCharge's case is simple: an Australian brand backed by a major fuel and energy company, with a national install network and two price points that don't ask you to pay for features you don't want.

The AU$699 Flash is one of the cheaper hard-wired AC chargers on the Australian market. The AU$799 Bolt is well-priced for a connected charger with OCPP. The catch is the one already noted: single-phase only, and no solar integration built in.

The closest rival in the single-phase-smart tier is the Zappi, which adds native solar diversion and costs more for it. If you have rooftop solar and want the charger to use it on its own, the Zappi is the one to compare before you decide. No solar? Just want a clean install with a well-known AU brand? AmpCharge is a fair choice.

One thing worth knowing: there is no independent Australian product review of the AmpCharge home wallbox at the main consumer review sites as of June 2026. EV media has reviewed the Ampol public fast-charging network, but not the home wallbox. The spec information on this page comes from Ampol's own pages.5zecar.comView source

Who should buy an AmpCharge and who should look elsewhere

Single-phase home, want a clean install, happy with a well-known AU brand? AmpCharge is worth shortlisting. The Flash at AU$699 (indicative, June 2026) handles overnight charging with no fuss. The Bolt at AU$799 adds scheduling and remote control if you want to charge at off-peak rates. The AU$100 gap is small enough that the Bolt is probably the smarter default unless you're tight on budget and have no interest in a schedule.

In South Australia, the choice is made for you. Get the Bolt.

Three-phase home and you want to use it? AmpCharge has nothing for that right now. The best home EV charger guide covers the full shortlist for three-phase buyers. And if you're not sure whether seven kilowatts is enough for your home, the 7kW vs 22kW guide works through that in detail.