Installing a home EV charger is one of the best things you can do if you have decided to switch to an electric vehicle (EV). But before you make an appointment, you might be wondering: how long does it take to install an EV charger?
The answer relies on things like how your home’s electrical system is set up, what type of charger you will choose, and whether you need extra wiring.
This guide will tell you all you need to know about EV charger installation time, who can install it, how much it costs, and even the popular 80/20 rule for EV charging. Besides, you will also learn the EV charger installation process to understand why it requires a specific time.
How Long Does It Take to Install an EV Charger? Complete Guide for UK Households
For most households, a standard EV charger installation time is between 2 and 6 hours, if you just consider the installation time. If your fuse box is close to the parking spot, the installation should just take a couple of hours. But if your house needs more wiring or groundwork, it may take most of the day.
Some companies, like FutureCo, say that it usually takes them about 3 to 4 hours to install an EV charger in a typical household.
But, How Long Does It Really Take to Install an EV Charger?
As you already know, in short, it usually takes 2 to 6 hours to install a single-phase EV charger (based on a basic residential EV charger installation without any extra labour).
But the actual amount of time will depend on where your charge point is located (for example, detached garages will take longer), how many chargers need to be installed, and if any maintenance that takes a lengthy time needs to be done. More materials and work are needed, like burying the cables.
Some electric vehicle charger installations may take a lot more work. Putting in the ChargeArm or large commercial installations are two common examples of these kinds of circumstances. Because these chargers are bigger and more complicated, it takes longer to install them.
That being said, the time it takes to buy, plan, and install an electric car charger is not the same as the time it takes to actually install the charger. You can easily buy phone chargers online and have them delivered to your house so you can start using them right away. However, home EV chargers are far more complicated and need more consideration than you might believe at first.
Planning, scheduling, and getting the appropriate permits for a safe and legal installation of an electric vehicle charger can take weeks or even months.
Today, we will show you how to safely and legally install an EV charger at your home.
What is the EV Charger Installation Process?
Well, at first, you need to know who will install the EV charger for you. Can a normal electrician install an EV charger?
A qualified electrician can technically install an EV charger, but to get the government grant and make sure the installation is safe and legal, the installer must be OZEV-approved and have experience with EV installations.
So, you must get your home EV charger installed by a professional.
Let’s have an idea about the step-by-step process of professional EV home charger installation. This will help you realise why it takes a good amount of time.
- Choosing the Right Charger
Your installer will assist you in choosing the best EV charger based on:
- Power Output: Most people use 7 kW chargers, which charge most homes quickly, or 22 kW chargers, which work with homes that have three-phase power.
- Connector Type: Type 2 is the usual connector in the UK, but there are adaptors for other types of plugs.
- Smart Features: These include Wi-Fi control, charging schedules, and the ability to work with solar panels.
- Future-proofing: It means picking a charger that can handle future EVs with a higher charging rate.
The appropriate option makes sure that charging is quick and saves you money on improvements later.
- Site Survey
The installer will do a full site survey before any work starts. This can be done in person or through images and videos you send. This step helps figure out:
- The optimum place for the charger (close to your parking spot and within the reach of the cable).
- Your current electrical supply capacity and whether it can manage an additional high-load device.
- The safest way to run cables is so that they don’t have to go through dangerous locations or damage existing wiring.
This assessment makes sure that the installation is right for your home, your EV model, and how often you need to charge it.
- Electrical Upgrades (If necessary)
Not every house has an electrical system that can handle an EV charger. Then, you may ask: Do I need to rewire my house for EV charger?
Not always. If your house has a new fuse box and enough power capacity, you don’t need to rewire it.
Your technician may suggest partial or full rewiring for safety if your electrical system is old or overburdened. This is why the first step of the installation process is a site survey, as I said earlier. It helps the installers check your home’s electrical system and determine if any upgrade is needed.
If your household power system doesn’t meet the required criteria, the installer might need to:
- Put in a separate circuit from the consumer unit to the charging point.
- Upgrade the fuse box (consumer unit) so that it can safely handle more load.
- For further safety, add a Residual Current Device (RCD) or a Residual Current Breaker with Overcurrent (RCBO).
- If your power supply isn’t enough, you may need to contact your Distribution Network Operator (DNO) to increase the capacity of your main fuse.
These improvements make sure that your charger works properly and doesn’t use too much power from your home.
- Installation and Connection
In this step, your installer will do the following:
- Mount the EV charger firmly on a pedestal or a wall.
- Route the charging cable via protective tubes.
- Plug the charger into the right electrical circuit.
- Make sure that all of the wiring follows the BS 7671 IET Wiring Regulations.
- Use weatherproofing methods for outdoor installation.
The installer will also check the charger’s earthing arrangement to prevent electrical faults and shocks.
- Testing and Certification
After being fitted, the charger goes through a lot of tests to make sure:
- Correct wiring and safe operation when there is a load.
- Following the UK electrical regulations.
- Safe disconnection in case of a problem.
The installer will then provide you with an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) or a Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate (MEIWC) to show that the work is up to code.
If you qualify for government funding, the installer will also take care of the grant paperwork if they are OZEV-approved.
This whole EV charger installation process will take weeks or even months. Does it seem complex to you?
So, is It Difficult to Install an EV Charger?
For a trained professional, it is not at all difficult. The difficulty usually comes down to your home’s electrical capacity.
If the fuse box is close to your driveway or garage, then no rewiring will be needed, and the installation will be easy and less time-consuming.
You may face medium difficulty if some additional cabling or wall drilling is required.
Complex installation comes with the requirement of rewiring, trenching for cables, or upgrading your main electrical supply.
Now, if you are wondering, “How much would an electrician charge to install an EV charger?”, then I can give you an average idea about it.
How Much Will an Electrician Charge to Fit an EV Charger?
An electrician generally charges between £300 and £500 for installing a home EV charger in the UK for a standard installation, but the cost can change depending on how hard the task is and where you live.
Most of the time, the whole package that EV charger installers offer includes the labour cost. But if you buy the charger separately, then you’ll have to pay the electrician directly.
How Much Does It Cost to Install an Electric Car Charger?
Standard home EV charger (7kW EV charger) installation with the charger itself will cost around £800 to £1,200. However, the amount can be reduced to around £760 with applicable government grants.
But for complex installs that need rewiring, long cable runs, you have to pay more, which is from £1,000 to £1,500 or more.
As some government grants or manufacturer offers can reduce the cost, I would suggest you check available schemes before booking.
When you discuss EV charger installation time and overall process, you might hear about how to charge your EV, such as the 80/20 rule. Let’s see what it actually means.
What Is the 80 20 Rule for EV Charging?
The 80/20 rule simply means charging your electric car up to 80% per day, not allowing the battery to go below 20%.
This rule will help keep the battery of your EV healthy and last longer.
Final Thoughts
So, how long does it take to install an EV charger?
Depending on your setup, it usually takes between 2 and 6 hours. For most people, the technique is simple and doesn’t need any rewiring. But planning, scheduling, and getting the appropriate permits for a safe and legal installation of an electric vehicle charger can take weeks or even months.
A normal electrician can technically install a charger, but the safest and most dependable solution is to hire a licensed EV installer.
If you want to know exactly how much time and money it will take, you should get a professional survey from Future Co or another company. If you install it correctly, you may charge your electric vehicle quickly, safely, and easily at home.
FAQ
Can I legally install my own EV charger in the UK?
No, you can’t legally install your own EV charge point. UK regulations require a qualified, Part P-certified electrician to install a home EV charger.
Can I plug my EV into a normal socket?
While you can charge your electric vehicle at home using a 3-pin plug, it’s not the best way to do so. A regular 3-pin plug will charge at roughly 2.3kW, which means it can take more than 24 hours to charge fully.
Do I need a new fuse box to install an EV charger?
If your current fuse box is new, has RCD protection, and enough space, you won’t need a new one. On the contrary, if your fuse box is either ancient or full, lacks safety features, and the main fuse rating in your home is low, you will need an upgrade.
Sometimes, installers set up a dedicated mini consumer unit for the charger instead of replacing the whole box.
Is it cheaper to charge at home?
Yes. You can typically save £467 per year by charging your electric car at home instead of in a public charging station. If you charge your electric vehicle at home using off-peak tariffs such as Octopus Go or EDF GoElectric, it will save you money.