Before You Start: Requirements
Essential
- Off-street parking (driveway, garage, etc.)
- Mains electricity supply to the property
- External wall or post to mount charger on
- Wi-Fi signal reaching the charger location
Good to have
- Modern consumer unit (fuse box)
- Short cable run to parking area (<10m)
- Smart meter (for EV tariff benefits)
- Photo of your consumer unit for quotes
The Installation Process: Step by Step
Get Quotes (5 minutes)
Use our free service to compare up to 3 quotes from OZEV-approved installers in your area. You'll need to share your postcode, parking situation, and ideally a photo of your consumer unit.
Site Survey (30 minutes)
Your chosen installer visits to check your electrical supply, assess the cable route, confirm the charger mounting position, and verify Wi-Fi coverage. They'll finalise the charger recommendation and confirm the price - including any additional work needed.
Installation (2-4 hours)
On installation day, the electrician will:
- • Install a dedicated 32A circuit with RCD protection in your consumer unit
- • Run SWA (steel wire armoured) cable to the charger location
- • Mount and connect the charger unit
- • Test the entire system including earth loop impedance
- • Set up the charger app on your phone
Commissioning & Handover (15 minutes)
The installer configures smart scheduling (e.g., charge overnight on cheap tariff), demonstrates the app, provides an Electrical Installation Certificate (BS 7671), and notifies the DNO (Distribution Network Operator) of the new installation. You're ready to charge.
Typical Timeline
| Stage | Timeframe | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Get quotes | Same day | Submit details, receive quotes within 48hrs |
| Site survey | 1-5 days | Scheduled at your convenience |
| Order charger | 1-3 days | Most popular models in stock |
| Installation | 2-4 hours | Single visit in most cases |
| Total: quote to charging | 1-2 weeks | Can be faster with stock availability |
After Installation: Maximise Your Savings
Switch to an EV tariff
Dedicated EV tariffs (e.g., Octopus Go, OVO Charge Anytime) offer off-peak rates of 7-10p/kWh. Schedule overnight charging via your charger app to save £800+/year vs standard tariff. Compare EV tariffs →
Set up smart scheduling
Use your charger's app to schedule charging during off-peak hours. Most smart chargers can also integrate directly with your energy tariff for automatic optimisation.
Consider solar panels
A solar-compatible charger (like the Zappi) can divert surplus solar energy to your EV for completely free driving. Get solar quotes →