How much does an EV charger cost to install?

A home EV charger typically costs £800-£1,500 installed, depending on the charger model and installation complexity. Smart chargers with app control and solar integration are at the higher end.

Is there a grant for home EV chargers?

The OZEV grant (Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme) provides up to £350 towards installation for eligible homeowners. You must have off-street parking and your installer must be OZEV-approved.

Can I charge an EV from a normal plug socket?

Yes, but it's very slow (8-24+ hours for a full charge) and not recommended for regular use. A dedicated EV charger is 3-4x faster, safer, and required for smart charging features and some grants.

Do I need a driveway to get a home EV charger?

You need off-street parking - a driveway, garage, or dedicated parking space. If you only have on-street parking, you may be able to use a cable channel across the pavement (subject to council approval) or public charging.

What's the difference between tethered and untethered chargers?

Tethered chargers have a permanently attached cable - just plug in and go. Untethered chargers have a socket where you plug in your own cable. Tethered is more convenient; untethered is more flexible if you have multiple EVs with different connectors.

How much does it cost to charge an EV at home?

At the average electricity rate of 24p/kWh, a full charge costs £12-£18 for most EVs (50-75kWh battery). On an EV tariff with 7p/kWh off-peak rates, the same charge costs just £3.50-£5.25. That's equivalent to about 2-4p per mile.

Can I use solar panels to charge my EV?

Yes! Many smart EV chargers have solar integration - they detect surplus solar energy and divert it to your car. With a 4kW solar system, you could charge 20-30 miles of range per day for free during sunny months.

Home EV Charger Installation

Charge your electric vehicle at home for a fraction of the cost of public charging. Smart chargers from £800 installed, with OZEV grants available.

Get Free EV Charger Quotes Compare EV Tariffs

From £800

Fully Installed

£350

OZEV Grant

3-4p/mi

Home Charging Cost

6-10 hrs

Full Charge (7kW)

£800-£1,500

Installed Cost

Up to £350

OZEV Grant

80% Cheaper

vs Public Charging

3x Faster

vs 3-Pin Plug

Why Install a Dedicated EV Charger?

A dedicated home charger is faster, safer, and cheaper than alternatives. Here's why 90% of EV owners charge at home.

Fast Charging

A 7kW charger delivers a full charge overnight (6-10 hours). A daily top-up takes just 1-2 hours.

Save Money

Home charging costs 3-4p per mile vs 12-15p at public chargers. With an EV tariff, even less.

Safe & Certified

Professionally installed with a dedicated circuit. Safer than using a standard 3-pin socket.

Smart Features

Schedule charging for off-peak rates, monitor usage via app, and integrate with solar panels.

Charging Options Compared

Compare the different ways to charge your EV at home and find the best option for you.

Feature	3-Pin Plug	7kW Charger	22kW Charger
Charging speed	2.3 kW (slow)	7 kW (fast)	22 kW (rapid)
Full charge time	18-24 hours	6-10 hours	2-4 hours
Cost	£0 (use existing)	£800-£1,200	£1,200-£2,500
Smart features	None	Full	Full
Safety	Basic	Certified	Certified
OZEV grant eligible	No	Yes	Yes
Solar integration	No	Available	Available
Recommended	Emergency only	Most homes	3-phase supply

A 7kW charger is the most popular choice for UK homes with single-phase electricity supply. 22kW chargers require a 3-phase supply, which most UK homes do not have. Your installer will assess your supply during the survey.

Full EV charger cost guide → Available grants & funding → Installation guide: what to expect →

EV Charging vs Petrol Costs

See how much you could save by charging at home compared to filling up with petrol.

Petrol Car

14p/mile

~£1,400/yr at 10,000 miles

Most Expensive

EV - Standard Tariff

6p/mile

~£600/yr at 10,000 miles

Save £800/yr

EV - Off-Peak Tariff

2p/mile

~£200/yr at 10,000 miles

Save £1,200/yr

Based on a typical EV (4 miles/kWh efficiency), standard electricity at 24p/kWh, off-peak EV tariff at 7p/kWh, and petrol at £1.40/litre (40mpg). Actual costs vary.

Pros & Cons of Home EV Charging

Advantages

Save up to £1,200/yr vs petrol with off-peak EV tariff
Wake up to a full battery every morning - never visit a petrol station
Smart scheduling charges at cheapest off-peak rates automatically
Solar integration - charge from your roof for free
Increases property value - buyers expect EV charging
OZEV grant covers up to £350 of the cost

Considerations

Requires off-street parking (driveway, garage, or private space)
Upfront cost of £800-£1,500 (pays back quickly in fuel savings)
May need a fuse board upgrade if your supply is older (installer will check)
Longer cable runs increase installation cost
22kW chargers need 3-phase power (most UK homes have single-phase)

EV Charger FAQs

Everything you need to know about home EV charger installation.

A home EV charger typically costs £800-£1,500 fully installed. Basic smart chargers start from around £800, while premium models with solar integration and load balancing are £1,200-£1,500. The OZEV grant can reduce this by up to £350.

The OZEV Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme provides up to £350 towards the cost of a home charger. You need off-street parking and an OZEV-approved installer. The grant is applied directly to your quote - your installer handles the paperwork.

With a 7kW home charger, most EVs charge from empty to full in 6-10 hours - perfect for overnight charging. A typical daily top-up of 30 miles takes about 1-2 hours. This is 3-4x faster than a standard 3-pin plug.

Yes, but it's very slow (18-24+ hours for a full charge at 2.3kW) and not recommended for daily use. Standard sockets aren't designed for sustained high loads. A dedicated EV charger is faster, safer, and enables smart charging features.

You need off-street parking - a driveway, private garage, or dedicated parking space. Some councils allow cable channels across pavements for terraced houses. If you don't have off-street parking, your options are public charging or workplace charging.

Tethered chargers have a permanently attached cable - just grab it and plug into your car. Untethered chargers have a socket where you connect your own cable. Tethered is more convenient for daily use; untethered offers flexibility if you have different EVs or want to take your cable with you.

At the standard rate of 24p/kWh, a full charge costs about £12-£18 for a typical EV. With an EV-specific tariff offering 7p/kWh off-peak rates, the same charge costs just £3.50-£5.25. That works out to roughly 2-6p per mile - compared to 14p per mile for petrol.

Absolutely! Many smart chargers (like the Ohme, Zappi, and others) have solar integration. They detect surplus solar generation and automatically divert it to charge your car. With a 4kW solar system, you could add 20-30 miles of free range per day during sunny months.

Save Even More on Charging

Combine your EV charger with these for maximum savings on every mile.

EV Energy Tariff

Switch to an EV tariff with 7p/kWh off-peak rates - charge for just 2p per mile.

Solar Panels

Charge your EV from your roof for free. A 4kW system adds 20-30 miles of range per day.

Battery Storage

Store cheap off-peak or solar energy to charge your EV whenever you need.

Ready to Charge at Home?

Get up to 3 free quotes from OZEV-approved EV charger installers. Installation typically takes just half a day.

Get Free EV Charger Quotes

OZEV approved Free service Half-day install 3 quotes guaranteed