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EV charging at home

Charger types, what installation involves, smart charging and running costs.

2 min read

If you have an electric car, or are thinking about one, charging at home is usually the cheapest and most convenient option. This guide explains what's involved.

We're not yet introducing EV charging specialists. You can register your interest and we'll let you know when we are.

Charger types

A dedicated home charger (often called a wallbox) usually charges at around 7kW on a standard home electricity supply. That's enough to charge most cars fully overnight.

A three-pin plug works, but it's much slower and isn't designed for regular long charging sessions. Most manufacturers recommend it only occasionally.

Faster home chargers need a three-phase supply, which most homes don't have.

Smart charging

Home chargers sold in Great Britain must have smart functions. They can schedule charging, connect to your energy supplier and help avoid charging at peak times. Paired with an EV or time-of-use tariff, smart charging overnight can make running costs much lower than charging on a standard tariff.

What installation involves

  • A survey of your electricity supply, fuse board (consumer unit) and the route for the cable.
  • Off-street parking. You'll normally need a driveway or garage. Running cables across a pavement isn't usually allowed without your council's permission.
  • Electrical safety. The installation is notifiable electrical work and must meet wiring regulations. Some homes need a consumer unit upgrade or earthing work.
  • Your network operator may need to be told, especially if you also have solar panels or a heat pump.

A wall-mounted charger on a house is often allowed without planning permission, subject to conditions. Listed buildings and conservation areas can be different.

Grants

At the time of writing, the government's EV chargepoint grant is available to people who rent or own a flat, not to most homeowners living in houses. Check the current eligibility on GOV.UK, as schemes change.

Questions to ask

  1. Do you need to survey my electrics before quoting, and does my consumer unit need upgrading?
  2. Where will the charger and cable run go?
  3. Is the charger compatible with my car and with smart tariffs?
  4. Will I receive an electrical installation certificate?
  5. What do the charger and workmanship guarantees cover?

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