Thinking of installing an electric vehicle (EV) charger at home? Read on for everything you need to know about the costs involved, how they’re set up, the benefits they offer and the grants available to make charging your electric car at home easy and affordable.
Benefits of charging your EV at home
There are three ways to charge your electric car: at a public charging point (motorway services or supermarket car parks for example), at work (some workplaces offer charging facilities), or at home.
The benefits of charging your EV at home rather than at a public charging station are enormous. It’s usually cheaper, especially with off-peak tariffs, and removes the need to have to locate and then wait for availability at public charging stations. What’s more, the latest home chargers can be scheduled and controlled, giving you freedom to choose exactly when you’d prefer to charge.
Convenience: charge your car overnight (or whenever is easiest for you) and start the day with a full battery.
Cost savings: enjoy lower electricity rates compared to public charging stations – home charging typically costs 5 x less than rapid public charge points – plus you can take advantage of off-peak electricity rates for ultra-low costs.
Increased efficiency: avoid inconvenient waiting times and availability issues that can occur at public chargers.
Charging an electric car at home is pretty straightforward. Although it can be done using a domestic three-pin plug, a dedicated home charger is always recommended for safer and faster charging.
Dedicated home EV charger (wallbox)
Designed specifically for EVs, these chargers offer fast charging speeds of around 7kW or higher. Safe and convenient, they are installed directly onto a wall and offer features like smart charging and app control.
Regular 3-pin plug
Although it’s possible to do, charging an EV using a standard 3-pin plug is extremely slow (around 3kW) and can take more than 24 hours to fully charge. These are best used only in emergencies or as an occasional back up.
Where to put your charger
For most home chargers, you’ll need a driveway or garage to install it in; the charger usually attaches to a wall. Make sure the charging cable is long enough to reach the car from the charger!
How to get an EV charging point installed at home
An EV charger should always be installed by a qualified electrician. Installations can be booked online, over the phone or through a dealer.
Your installer will drill through the exterior wall to allow the box to connect to the household electrics. It’s then wired to the mains. The whole process usually takes around three hours depending on the individual requirements of the driver or the complexity of the installation.
Costs of installing an EV charger at home
Buying and installing an EV charger at home typically costs between £800 and £1,500, which includes the cost of the charger and professional installation. Costs will vary depending on the features of the charger (smart chargers, with WiFi connectivity, and integration with smart grids, will typically cost more than basic chargers) and whether any upgrades are needed to your home’s electrical system.
If the distance between the chargepoint and your electricity meter is more than ten metres then the installation may be more complex, which could increase the cost.
Once your EV charger is all set up, the money you will save on running costs and fuel compared with petrol/diesel cars will, in time, offset this initial spend. Read more about how much you could save in our guide: Electric cars – how much do they cost to run?
To help people with the costs of switching to electric and installing home charging points, the government’s office for zero emission vehicles (OZEV) department offers a range of grants and incentives. These include:
The electric vehicle chargepoint grant for renters of flats and flat owners – this provides up to £350 towards the cost of installing a chargepoint at your home. Available until 2026, you can apply for this if you own or rent a flat and you have private off-street parking.
For all eligibility requirements and how to apply, visit the government website.
The electric vehicle chargepoint grant for households with on-street parking – get 75% off the cost of buying and installing a socket, up to a maximum of £350. You can apply for this grant if you own or rent your home, you don’t have private off-street parking but do have adequate on-street parking, and you install a cross-pavement charging solution (cable channels embedded within the pavement) alongside the chargepoint. This grant is available until April 2026.
For all eligibility requirements and how to apply, see the government electric vehicle chargepoint grant page.
If you’re a business, the government offers a workplace charging grant, which could contribute £14,000 towards the purchase and installation of EV charging stations at work.
If you’re planning on buying a home EV charger, there are a few factors to think about.
Firstly, you’ll have a choice of wattages:
3.6kW charger – a little bit quicker than a standard household plug, this might suit you if you tend to make short daily trips rather than regular long distances. It’s also a good option for hybrid plug-ins that don’t need as much of a charge. Approximate charge time: 24.5 hours.
7kW charger – three times faster than a 3 pin plug, this will comfortably recharge most EVs overnight and is the standard for most homes. Approximate charge time: 12 hours.
22kW charger – the fastest EV charger currently available for domestic use, it can fully charge a mid-size EV in six hours. Not all households can accommodate them however as they need a three-phase power supply, which most homes don’t have – an expensive upgrade may be required. Approximate charge time: 3-4 hours.
Tethered vs untethered chargers
Next, you’ll need to decide whether you want your charging cable separate or attached to the charger.
A tethered charger is where the cable is permanently attached to the chargepoint. It’s convenient, easy and secure: you simply grab the cable from the wallbox and plug it in, much like you would a petrol pump.
An untethered charger is one where the cable can be unattached from the wallbox and stored away when not in use. They’re flexible (you can chop and change cables if you need to) and they look tidier as there are no cables left out on display.
Smart features
Today, almost all new chargers are ‘smart’, which means they will monitor your electricity consumption and the time it takes to charge your car. With this information, you can schedule charging your car for when there is less demand for electricity, or for when more renewable electricity is available. Most modern chargers are controlled via an app on your phone, and some chargers can be powered by solar panels if you have them.
Many energy providers offer dedicated EV charging tariffs with cheaper rates during off-peak hours. You can use smart charging features to optimise charging times and make the most of these lower electricity rates.
Although non-smart chargers are cheaper to buy and install, the benefits (and, ultimately, savings) you get from smart functionality and the added capabilities of a smart charger far outweigh the initial price difference.
Best home chargers on the market
There are almost as many different brands of chargepoint to choose from as there are EVs on the road, with variations in price, size and style. Each wallbox has its own individual selling points, but they all essentially do the same job. Here are five of our favourites:
EO Mini Pro 3
From one of the most popular brands around, the EO Mini Pro 3 is pleasingly compact, with plenty of smart features. It can be tethered or untethered. Price: from £599 plus installation.
Anderson Quartz
If you like your chargers sleek and elegant then look no further than the Anderson Quartz. Choose from over 100 colour combinations, and optional wood and special trims. It can be tethered or untethered. Price: from £695 plus installation.
Pod Point Solo 3s
This award-winning brand offers fast, reliable home charging in a curvy, app enabled wallbox. Comes tethered or untethered. Price: from £849 installed.
Ohme Home Pro
This small and mighty home chargepoint incorporates smart charging technology, energy tariff integration and solar compatibility. Comes tethered only. Price: from £546 plus installation.
Rolec Qubev Smart
This chunky charger might not be the prettiest, but it is excellent value and packed with functionality, including a solar power option. It can be tethered or untethered. Price: from £389 plus installation.
Make use of low tariffs, slow charging options and off-peak periods: charging during off-peak hours (usually night-time) will save on electricity.
Use solar panels if you can, to further reduce costs and lower your carbon footprint.
Regular maintenance and keeping on top of software updates will maximise the performance of your EV charger
Charge 20-80% to improve the lifespan of your car battery.
Final thoughts
Charging your EV at home offers an unbeatable combination of cost savings, flexibility and convenience that makes it the charging method of choice for the majority of EV owners. With a range of styles, functionality and charging options, there is a chargepoint out there to suit you.
For more useful advice and information on EVs, read our comprehensive guide to electric cars on finance.
Can I install a home EV charger myself?
An EV charger should always be installed by a qualified electrician – if you do it yourself you run the risk of voiding any warranties or breaching safety regulations.
Do I need planning permission to install an EV charger?
Not usually, but if you live in a listed property or in a conservation area you should check with your local council.
Can I charge my EV using a regular 3-pin plug?
Yes you can, but it will take much longer than a dedicated home charger, and it’s not recommended as your main charging method.
What’s the difference between level 1 and level 2 chargers?
Level 1 chargers are the slowest EV chargers, using a standard domestic 3 pin plug. These don’t require any special installation and have a power output of 120v alternating current (AC). Level 2 chargers are much faster and are the usual way to charge an EV in the UK. With a power output of 240v AC, level 2 chargers require a dedicated home chargepoint.
All smart home chargepoints are level 2 or above. Level 2 charging using a 7kW charger will recharge an EV with a 40kW battery in about 4-6 hours, or in 1-2 hours if using a 22 kW charger.
How long does it take to fully charge an EV at home?
This will depend on the charger and on the battery size. A level 2 charger will typically take around 3-8 hours for a full charge, while an average level 1 charger may take over 20 hours to fully charge.
How do I know if my EV is compatible with a charger?
Check your vehicle’s connector type. Most EVs driven in the UK use type 2 connectors, which are supported by nearly all modern home chargers.
