A gap of 40% between two quotes for what looks like the same charger is possible without either supplier cheating — because the quotes rarely cover the same scope, component grade, certification basis, delivery basis or payment terms. Treat the 40% as a worked example, not a market statistic: no published source measures an average gap between charger quotes. Here is where a gap of that size hides.
Key Takeaways
- A 40% quote gap is a worked example, not a statistic — but gaps of that size are arithmetically easy to reach.
- Scope, component grade, certification basis, delivery basis, payment terms and software bundle together into the gap.
- Verify the certification basis by asking for the certificate for the exact configuration.
- Align everything, then compare landed totals — never judge the first numbers you are sent.
First, Check Whether the Spec Is Really the Same
A headline specification such as “40 A portable charger” can cover different cable lengths, different protection and metering parts, a display or none, app control or none, and different enclosure ratings. Before comparing prices, compare the full specification line by line — our guide to choosing plug, cable and connector by market shows how many priced decisions sit inside one connector choice alone. If the specifications differ, the quotes are not rivals yet.
Where a Gap of That Size Hides
| Source of the gap | How it inflates one quote | How to expose it |
|---|---|---|
| Scope inclusions | Branding, retail packaging and inspection inside the price | Demand inclusions and exclusions lists |
| Component grade | Heavier cable spec and higher-grade parts cost more | Compare cable and protection specs in writing |
| Certification basis | One quote amortises new testing for your market; the other rides on an existing certificate | Ask which certificate covers the exact configuration, and see it |
| Delivery basis | A delivered (DDP) price carries freight and import handling that an ex-works price does not | Re-quote both on the same Incoterm before comparing |
| Payment terms | Longer credit or a smaller deposit prices financing and risk into the unit | Align deposit and balance terms, then compare again |
| Software tail | Multi-year app and platform licences bundled into the unit price | Ask how many years of software the price includes |
Certification deserves a second look. A model already listed for your market by an OSHA-recognised Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratory carries its testing cost spread over every unit sold. A configuration needing a fresh test programme carries that cost over your order alone — a legitimate reason for a higher quote, verifiable by asking for the certificate.
One Illustrative Decomposition
The index numbers below are invented for illustration — not prices, measurements or market data. Set the lower quote at an index of 100. A second quote at 140 can be reached without any single dramatic cause: scope inclusions such as branding, retail packaging and inspection add 13; a heavier component grade adds 9; certification amortised over a small first order adds 6; a delivered rather than ex-works basis adds 8; longer payment terms add 4. Total: 140. Five ordinary differences stack into one headline gap.
Close the Gap Before You Judge It
- Send both suppliers one identical specification and scope sheet, and ask for a re-quote.
- Ask each supplier to price the other’s inclusions — that delta is the scope gap, priced.
- Align quantity, delivery basis and payment terms — a quote is only valid for its own combination.
- Compare landed totals at the end, not unit prices at the start.
EVDANCE, a Shenzhen manufacturer founded in 2011 and exporting to more than 30 countries, quotes against a written specification — for example the EV-ACT5006T (up to 48 A, hard-wired or NEMA 14-50P, NACS, 25 ft cable, IP65/IP66, ETL/FCC/CE) — with private label from 100 units and a 3-year standard warranty. Put your specification to us and to anyone else through the contact page, on identical terms, and the comparison will be honest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a much higher quote mean that supplier is overcharging?
Not by itself. A higher quote usually describes a wider scope, a heavier specification, a different delivery basis or longer payment terms. It only becomes overcharging if the gap survives after all of those are aligned — which is what the audit above tests.
Which differences should I check first?
Scope and delivery basis, because they change what is actually being bought rather than how it is priced. A delivered and an ex-works price for the same unit can differ widely with both suppliers pricing fairly.
Can both quotes be “right” at the same time?
Yes. Each quote can be an accurate price for the scope, specification and terms written underneath it. The error is usually in the comparison, not in either number — two different offers treated as two prices for one offer.
Related Reading
- What Drives the Unit Cost of an OEM EV Charger
- FOB vs DDP: How to Import EV Chargers From China Without Surprises
- Payment Terms for OEM EV Charger Orders: T/T, L/C and Deposits
- EV Charger MOQ Explained: What Sets Minimum Order Quantities
