VIVO Outdoor EV Charging Stand Review
The VIVO Outdoor EV Charging Stand provides sturdy, weather-resistant support for your EV charger outdoor installation. The EV charger stand is built from stainless steel with universal compatibility, and it’s ideal for driveway or sidewalk installations without wall access.
The VIVO outdoor EV charging stand is an EV charger pedestal engineered specifically for outdoor EV charger installations. Designed for installation on concrete surfaces, it’s ideal for driveways, carports, apartment or condo parking lots, and commercial parking spaces.
While it can technically be used indoors, such as in a garage, we do not recommend it for that purpose. Using it indoors would render its key outdoor-specific feature—the self-contained baffle—ineffective. That said, indoor installation is still possible, but you’ll be forgoing the very features that set it apart from its competitors.
The stand features a universal EV charger mounting plate with a built-in baffle system. This plate is compatible with EV chargers that have an M4 threaded base or a wall-mount adapter plate, making it suitable for nearly all US-standard EV chargers. Made from heavy-duty stainless steel, the mounting plate, support column, and base can easily support up to 33 lbs of the charger and its accessories. Additionally, for homeowners concerned about the security of their EV chargers, the stand allows you to mount an EV charger lock box on the mounting plate.
The VIVO EV charger stand includes a universal nozzle and a durable cable holder. The nozzle is compatible with both NACS and J1772 EV chargers, while the cable holder is strong enough to support a 25-foot charging cable. Positioned at the center of the cable holder, the universal nozzle promotes a practical and visually appealing cable management system. Additionally, the integrated cable management features help ensure compliance with Article 635 of the National Electrical Code (NEC), which requires cable management systems for EV charging cables longer than 25 feet.
In our testing, we found that the ideal setup involves first manually looping the charging cable around the holder, which keeps the cable elevated and prevents it from dragging on the ground. Afterward, simply plug the cable into the nozzle. This creates a neat, spiral arrangement resembling a logarithmic (or equiangular) spiral—an elegant, natural form that enhances the aesthetic appeal of the setup.
One of the standout features of the VIVO stand is the included weatherproof magnetic cover, this accessory protects your EV charger connector and charging inlet from harsh outdoor conditions—including rain, snow, sun, and dust—ensuring optimal performance and longevity in any environment.
When installed, the VIVO EV charger stand has a height of 61.7 inches, which exceeds the minimum height requirements set by the National Electrical Code (NEC). The NEC mandates a minimum height of 24 inches above the ground for outdoor EV charger installations and 18 inches for indoor EV charger installations.
EV Charger Compatibility
The VIVO outdoor EV charger stand is ideally suited for outdoor-rated EV chargers. The chargers should have either an M4 threaded base or a wall-mount adapter plate and weigh no more than 33 lbs. Cable management is made easy with the stand’s universal EV charger connector holder, which supports both NACS and J1772 connectors—common standards in the USA.
We’ve confirmed compatibility with popular EV charger brands, including JuiceBox, Lectron, Emporia, Wallbox, and more. However, it’s always a good idea to double-check your charger’s mounting specifications before purchasing.
Although you can mount a plug-in EV charger on the VIVO EV charger stand, we recommend opting for a more permanent hardwired EV charger stand installation. Hardwired chargers provide greater stability, reduce the risk of accidental disconnections, and are typically better suited for higher amperage installations, offering more reliable performance for long-term use.
If you’ve already purchased an EV charger, we recommend selecting a branded EV charger stand over a universal option. This ensures optimal compatibility and a more efficient installation.
Branded stands come with features designed for seamless integration and mounting, including pre-drilled holes, weight support, cable management systems, and plug holster compatibility.
For Tesla owners, explore our list of Tesla charger stands. For Autel EV chargers, refer to our curated selection of Autel EV charger stands. For Lectron and Wallbox EV chargers, check out our reviews of Lectron EV charger stands and Wallbox EV charger pedestals. These options offer tailored purpose-built installation solutions.
- Tesla Chargers: Explore our list of Tesla charger stands.
- Autel EV Chargers: Refer to our curated selection of Autel EV charger stands.
- Lectron EV Chargers: Check out our reviews of Lectron EV charger stands.
- Wallbox EV Chargers: Discover our reviews of Wallbox EV charger pedestals.
Each pedestal is designed for a specific brand, ensuring you have the right installation solution for your EV charger.
Hands-On Installation Review
Just like you, we purchased the VIVO outdoor stand to mount a high-amperage 48A Level 2 EV charger outdoors, as there were no nearby walls to mount an EV charger or a NEMA outlet. While NEMA installations are limited to a 50-amp circuit, hardwired EV charger installation supports higher amperage (40 to 80 amps), allowing for faster EV charging.
The diagram below shows the schematic of our complete 48-amp hardwired EV charger mounted on the VIVO EV charger stand. 48-amp configurations are common for hardwired EV chargers in most homes across the United States.
To meet the 80% NEC rule for continuous loads like EV charging, our 48-amp hardwired Level 2 EV charger requires a 60-amp dedicated EV charger circuit breaker. We used 4 AWG copper wiring, which is standard for high-amperage 48-amp Level 2 chargers. To protect the wiring from outdoor elements, we installed a 1-inch underground conduit running from the electrical panel to the EV charger point of use, where the VIVO EV charger stand would be mounted.
We mapped out the shortest route for the circuit wiring to minimize voltage drops. This process also involved digging a trench from the house to the VIVO EV charger stand, which was conveniently located near the parking spot of the electric vehicle and close to the EV charging outlet.
The cable entry hole at the base of the VIVO EV charger stand was too small for our 1-inch conduit (outer diameter measurements). This minor design issue meant we had to enlarge the hole, making it easier to route the conduit. Once the hole was enlarged, we had no trouble feeding the cable through the column of the stand. Additionally, since there’s no exit point at the top, we drilled our exit hole. This customization allowed us to choose the best cable exit point based on our EV charger mounting option. Although these adjustments were minor, they were easily solved with a drill. After enlarging the holes, we recommend applying a rust-resistant coating to protect the stand long-term.
Mounting the EV charger and stand on the concrete floor was straightforward. We simply drilled four holes in a stable concrete surface aligned them with the holes in the VIVO EV charger stand’s floor plate, and used anchor bolts to fix the EV charger stand to the concrete stand including the EV charger and EV charger stand grounding. If you don’t have a concrete surface, you can purchase a precast concrete base or create your DIY concrete base.
One thing to note is that VIVO does not include the installation tools or anchors needed for mounting the charger. You will need to purchase them separately. We recommend checking out our list of EV charger installation tools list and EV charging accessories for tools and accessories you’ll need to install and mount your EV charger and the VIVO EV charger stand.
Potential Alternatives
Final Verdict: Is the VIVO EV Charger Stand Worth It?
Yes, we highly recommend the VIVO outdoor EV charger stand for hardwired home EV charger installations. The VIVO EV charger pedestal is easy to install and use, offering enhanced security and protection for outdoor charging. It features a self-contained baffle and a magnetic weatherproof cover—unique features that many competitors lack, giving the VIVO stand a competitive edge. These thoughtful design elements address potential issues with outdoor installations, making it a reliable choice.
We recommend the VIVO EV charger stand for homeowners who haven’t yet purchased an EV charger or those building EV-ready homes and looking to provide provisions for future installations. It’s also a great option for homeowners with a concrete slab who are comfortable drilling into concrete.
Have questions about installation or compatibility, or want to share your own VIVO EV charger stand installation? Drop a comment or reach out—I respond to every message.
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