Installing home EV chargers is more popular than ever as the UK speeds up its switch to electric cars. You will be surprised to know that you can typically save £467 per year by charging your electric car at home instead of in a public charging station.
So, if you have just acquired an electric car or intend to get one soon, you might be asking how to install an EV charger at home in the UK. This guide covers everything, from picking the correct charger to knowing EV charger installation costs and requirements, and what the relevant rules are. I also talk about the approvals you will need and the important things that you need to consider.
A Complete Guide: How to install an EV charger at home in the UK?
People who owned electric cars used to be in the higher-income group. So, most of the time, they had a private driveway or garage at home.
Installing an EV home charging point in your home with its own driveway is usually not too hard.
But there are a lot more electric vehicles (EVs) on the market now, which means that more people can own one.
EV home charging installers are now getting more calls from people who don’t have a private driveway where they can do the work.
This guide will show you how to set up a home charging station for your electric car, even if you don’t have a driveway.
Why Install an EV Charger at Home?
Before considering an electric car charger installation at your home, I am pretty sure that some questions must pop up in your mind.
“Can I plug my EV into a normal socket?” Or, if you can charge an EV from a domestic socket.
Well, while you can charge your electric vehicle (EV) at home using a 3-pin plug, it’s not the best way to do so. And this is the point where we want to know the advantages of having an EV home charger.
So, let’s check out the benefits to getting a dedicated EV charge point installed at your home.
Convenience: if you install car charger at home, you can charge your car overnight without visiting a charging station.
Fast charging: A home 7kW chargepoint will charge your electric car three times faster than a 3-pin plug.
Safety: Dedicated home chargepoints are made to handle the sustained electrical loads needed to charge an electric vehicle and come with a number of safety measures that a regular 3-pin connection does not.
Compatibility: Some electric vehicles have batteries that are so big (100kWh+) that you wouldn’t be able to fully charge them overnight with a normal socket.
Cost-effective: Charging your electric car at home is always cheaper than using a public charging station. Off-peak energy tariffs can help reduce your charging costs.
Therefore, EV charging at home is quicker, safer, and easier to use.
What Government Grants Are Available for EV Chargers?
The government grant for individual homeowners is no longer available. The original Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme (EVHS), which helped homeowners by paying for 75% of the cost (up to £350) of installing home chargers, ended in March 2022.
The new EV Chargepoint Grant has been available since April 1, 2022. It still offers up to 75% funding (up to £350), but it is only meant for tenants, flat owners, and landlords who need off-street parking, not for private homeowners.
This change shows that the focus is now on making it easier for those who rent or live in apartments to charge their devices, rather than for people who own their homes. If you’ve already used the EVHS or are upgrading or moving an existing charger, you can’t claim the grant.
An additional grant is now available for households with on-street parking if they install a permanent, council-approved cross-pavement charging solution. All grants will be available until March 2026, and you can only get them through an installation that has been approved by OZEV (Office for Zero Emission Vehicles).
Now, let’s learn about the EV charger installation requirements.
What Are the Requirements for EV Charger Installation in the UK?
Here are the basic requirements for installing electric car charger in the UK.
A Qualified Installer
The installation must be done by a licensed electrician to ensure safety and compliance, and it must be approved by OZEV in order to get the government grant.
So, if you are asking yourself, “Can I legally install my own EV charger?”, my answer would be technically yes, but practically no.
You cannot legally install an EV charger or Level 2 EV charger (typically 7.4kW) yourself in the UK unless you are a certified electrician. Installing an EV charger means working directly with the main electrical system in your home. As per UK law, it is a must to get it done by a qualified electrician and follow the IET Wiring Regulations (BS 7671).
A Proper Electrical Supply
Your home needs to have adequate electrical capacity to power the charger, approximately 7.4 kW for single-phase. It needs to have a dedicated circuit, which is separated from other appliances.
Safety Regulations
Building regulations and the IET Wiring Regulations (BS 7671) will need to be complied with. This is to make sure that the installation is safe and follows the electrical rules in Part P of the building code.
Notify the DNO
Before or soon after installation, installers must get in touch with your Distribution Network Operator (DNO) to ensure the main fuse and supply are adequate.
If the load on the charger is too high, you may need DNO clearance before you can install it.
Eligibility for a Grant (If Applicable)
You have to use an OZEV-certified installer and EV charger. The property must meet specific requirements that I explained earlier in the section on available government grants for electric car charger installation at your home.
Now that you know about the electric car charger installation rules and requirements, let’s prepare for the installation process.
Choosing the Right EV Charger for Your Home
As there are a lot of different EV home charging units on the market, it can be challenging for you to choose one.
Here are some important things to think about that can help you make your decision:
Charging rate: The charging rate of your electric vehicle and the charging point itself will limit how fast you can charge. For instance, an EV that charges at 11 kW will only charge at 7 kW on a charger that can handle 7 kW. If you plug that same car into a 22 kW charger, it won’t be able to go faster than 11 kW.
Power source: The most frequent choice in the UK is to have a maximum charging rate of 7 kW in most households. If you need a charging rate quicker than 7 kW, you’ll have to update your home’s power supply before you can install your EV charger. And yes, it costs more money as well.
Whether you want cable or not: A charger that is tethered has a cord, while one that is not tethered does not. A tethered cable is easier to use, but it won’t work with all EVs. Most EVs can connect to an untethered wire, but you will need to keep your cord in your boot.
How it looks and works: Do you like the look of the charging point? Does it have the functions you need, including being able to connect to the internet and work with your solar panels?
Price: The prices of Mercedes-Benz EVs and the 4×4 chargers are usually more expensive because they charge faster. If you have your own electric vehicle, you can apply for a government subsidy that will pay for up to 75% of the cost of electric car charger installation.
Note: Most EV owners charge their vehicles at night when prices are lower. So, we suggest you talk to your electricity provider to make sure you have a night tariff to take advantage of cheaper off-peak rates.
Electric Car Charger Home Installation on a Driveway
If you have a driveway, it is usually considerably easier to install a car charger at home.
Where to Install an Electric Car Charger
Before the installation, your installer will usually come to your home to make sure the area is safe and easy to get to. You can do this online, and you might even be requested to send in pictures.
They will look for “sim touches,” which are any metal objects that are within 2.5 m of your electricity supply, and suggest changes if needed.
Next, there are a few things you need to consider.
Safety: It will be best to keep your charger out of sight in a garage.
Hazards: You also need to put it somewhere where the cables won’t get in the way.
Convenience: Where do you park your car? Check out how easy it is to access the power supply and where the charging lead needs to go. The charger needs to be easy to get to so you can easily connect your electric vehicle.
Connectivity: Most EV chargers have features that need an internet connection, which means you need a reliable WiFi connection. So, before you install, make sure the WiFi signal is strong in the region where you plan to do it.
Cable length: Consider if your charging cord is long enough. Choose an untethered cable, which comes in different length if you don’t want to be limited.
Aesthetics: Some people want their electric car charger to be as hidden as possible. Besides, if you wish to your charger to look exceptionally sleek or have a certain colour, consider it beforehand and get ready to pay more.
How Do I Install an EV Charger at Home?
The day you install electric car charger, make sure the location is clear and there are no barriers between the chargepoint and your energy supply.
Your approved installer will disconnect the power supply, set up the charger, and connect it to your mains supply.
Then, they will turn the power back on and check that everything works. You will need to give your smart charger the WiFi password so it can connect to the internet.
Usually, it takes about four hours, but if something goes wrong, it could take longer.
Anyway, you can take advantage of this chance to clean up your driveway and put some outdoor lights for extra safety. Right?
Do I Need Planning Permission to Install an EV Charger?
If you own the property, you usually don’t need planning permission to put in a wall-mounted EV chargepoint. As long as the charger is placed more than 2 meters away from a roadway, and is not in a place that has been marked as a scheduled monument, and is outside the curtilage of a listed structure, you can install one that is less than 1.6 meters tall without obtaining planning authorisation.
If your property is a listed building or you live in a conservation area, you have to contact your local planning authority.
Electric Car Charger Installation If You Don’t Have a Driveway
If you don’t have a driveway, it can be harder to install a car charger at home, but there are still a lot of possibilities.
You can still get an electric car charger installed even if you live in a flat and have a parking space. You need to get permission from the freeholders or the managing agent earlier.
If you are living in a rental flat, you will have to talk to the landlord about installing an EV chargepoint.
Don’t have off-street parking? Then you can plug it into an on-street charger or charge it at one of the many public chargers at your work or the grocery store, for example.
If you find no EV chargepoints near you, you may need to contact your local council for an electric car charger installation. The government is actively encouraging the availability of on-street EV chargepoints in residential streets where off-street parking is not available.
How Much Does It Cost to Install an EV Charger In The UK?
EV car charger home installation cost in the UK is around £800 to £1,200. This amount is the 7kW EV charger installation cost, which is the standard size for most UK homes. This price usually includes the charging unit, standard installation with up to 10 meters of cable, a link to the fuse box in your home, and testing and getting a certificate. However, the amount can be reduced to around £760 with applicable government grants.
If you want more advanced or quicker charging choices, like 22 kW units, or if the installation is not standard (for example, if you need to run long cables or modify your fuse box), the cost might go up to £1,500 or more.
You can get faster 22 kW chargers, but they need three-phase power, which most UK houses don’t have. Depending on where you live and how the grid is set up, upgrading your power supply can cost somewhere between £3,000 and over £15,000.
Prices have gone down, and now home chargers come with WiFi and smartphone apps as standard. Basic units cost about £600, while ones with LCD screens or solar panels cost between £900 and £1,100. Some users can still get government grants until 2026, although they are limited.
Now, let’s have a quick overview of the average cost of home EV charger installation in the UK.
| Charger Type | Equipment Cost (Supply Only) | Full Installation Package | With Grant (if eligible) |
| 3 kW | £250-£500 | £700-£900 | £350-£550 |
| 7 kW | £450-£800 | £800-£1,200 | £450-£850 |
| 22 kW | £700-£1,200 | £1,200-£2,200 | £850-£1,850 |
Which EV Charger Provider Should You Choose?
You will find a lot of companies in the UK that install EV chargers, which makes it hard for you to pick the proper one. Different vendors charge different amounts for installation. That’s why I would suggest you consider the following facts.
- Do their electric vehicle chargers have smart features?
- Do they have EV chargers with different charging rates?
- How safe are their charging stations?
- Do their chargers work with all types and brands of devices?
- Do their charging stations follow the rules and standards?
- Does the price include basic installation?
- Lastly, do they follow the Electric Vehicles (Smart Charge Points) Regulations 2021?
Anyway, you can choose FutureCo to get top-quality EV charger solutions for both your home and business across the UK. From choosing top-rated EV chargers and the best EV home chargers to getting dependable EV charger installers, you will find it all in one place.
Final Thoughts
Installing a home EV charger in the UK is now considered a smart move because it saves you money, makes things easier, and protects your property for the future. So, now that you know the details about how to install an EV charger, get a free quote from local EV charger installers today, and start charging smarter if you’re ready to move forward.
FAQ
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.
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.
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.