EV Chargers: Home Charging Made Simple
Smart chargers, installation costs, the OZEV grant, and how to slash your EV charging costs by up to 70% compared to public chargers.
Quick Summary
- Typical cost: £800-£1,200 installed (7kW smart charger)
- Charging cost: £8-£12 for a full charge at home (vs £20-£35 public)
- Charge time: 4-8 hours for a full charge on a 7kW charger
- OZEV grant: £350 for renters and flat-dwellers
Why Install a Home Charger?
Over 80% of EV charging happens at home. A dedicated home charger is faster, cheaper, and more convenient than relying on public charging or a standard 3-pin plug. Key benefits:
60-70% Cheaper
Than public rapid chargers
3x Faster
Than a standard 3-pin plug
Smart Features
Schedule, track, and optimise
Types of Home Charger
Since June 2022, all new home chargers must be "smart" - capable of scheduling charges, responding to energy signals, and connecting to Wi-Fi. Here's how the main options compare:
| Feature | 3-Pin Plug | 7kW Smart | 22kW (3-phase) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speed | 2.3kW | 7kW | 22kW |
| Full charge time | 14-24hrs | 4-8hrs | 1-3hrs |
| Cost | £0 | £800-£1,200 | £1,500-£3,000 |
| Smart features | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Recommended | Emergency only | Best value | If 3-phase available |
Installation Costs
A typical 7kW smart charger installation costs £800-£1,200, covering the charger unit, mounting, cabling from your consumer unit, and any necessary electrical upgrades. Factors that affect cost include:
- Cable run distance - longer runs from fuse box to charger add cost
- Consumer unit upgrade - older fuse boxes may need replacing (£200-£400)
- Charger brand - premium brands (Zappi, Ohme, Wallbox) cost more but offer better features
- Ground works - if cable needs to run underground across a driveway
The OZEV Grant
The EV Chargepoint Grant (formerly EVHS, run by OZEV) offers up to £350 towards the cost of a home charger. It's available for renters and residents of flats/apartments - homeowners of houses are no longer eligible (as of April 2022).
Who qualifies?
- ✓ Renters (with landlord permission)
- ✓ Flat/apartment owners
- ✓ Must have off-street parking
- ✓ Must install an OZEV-approved smart charger
- ✗ Homeowners of detached/semi-detached/terraced houses
How to Save on Charging Costs
Smart chargers unlock significant savings by letting you charge during off-peak hours. Combined with the right tariff, you can cut charging costs dramatically:
EV-Specific Tariffs
Tariffs like Octopus Go and Intelligent Go offer rates of 7-9p/kWh overnight (vs 24p+ standard rate). A full charge could cost just £4-£6.
Solar + EV Charging
Chargers like the Zappi can divert excess solar energy directly to your car. Free daytime charging when the sun is shining.
Get EV Charger Quotes
Compare free quotes from OZEV-approved EV charger installers in your area.
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