If you've recently bought an electric vehicle — or you're thinking about it — installing a home charger is one of the best investments you can make. Charging at home is cheaper, more convenient, and far less stressful than relying on the public charging network. But the installation process involves more than just plugging in a box.
This guide covers everything UK homeowners need to know: charger types, costs, government grants, the installation process, planning permission, and how to find a qualified installer.
Why Home Charging Beats Public Charging
The economics of home charging are compelling. As of early 2026, here's how the costs compare:
- Home charging (standard tariff): Around 24–28p per kWh. Charging a typical 60kWh battery from 20% to 80% costs roughly £9 – £13.
- Home charging (EV tariff, overnight): Many energy suppliers offer dedicated EV tariffs with overnight rates as low as 7–10p per kWh. The same charge would cost £3 – £5.
- Public rapid charger: Typically 65–79p per kWh. The same 60kWh charge costs £25 – £38.
Over a year, the difference is substantial. A typical UK driver covering 8,000 miles annually would spend roughly £350 – £500 on home charging versus £1,000 – £1,500 using public rapid chargers. The home charger pays for itself within 1–2 years through fuel savings alone.
Beyond cost, there's the convenience factor. You plug in when you get home, the car charges overnight, and you wake up to a full battery. No queuing, no apps, no searching for working charge points.
Types of Home EV Charger
3-Pin Plug ("Granny Charger")
Every EV comes with a cable that plugs into a standard 13A domestic socket. It works, but it's slow — charging at around 2.3kW, a 60kWh battery takes roughly 24–26 hours from flat to full. It's designed for emergency use, not daily charging.
There are also safety concerns. Running high loads through a standard domestic socket for extended periods (8+ hours nightly) can cause overheating, particularly in older wiring. Most EV manufacturers recommend using a dedicated charger for regular home charging.
7kW Dedicated Wall Charger (Single Phase)
This is the standard home charger for UK properties. It runs on a single-phase supply (which virtually all UK homes have) and charges at 7kW — roughly three times faster than a 3-pin plug. A 60kWh battery charges from 20% to 80% in about 5–6 hours, which is perfect for overnight charging.
A 7kW charger requires a dedicated 32A circuit from your consumer unit and is hardwired (not plugged in). It's installed on an external wall, in a garage, or on a post near your parking space. This is the type of charger most UK homeowners install.
22kW Charger (Three Phase)
A 22kW charger can charge three times faster than a 7kW unit, but it requires a three-phase electrical supply. Most UK homes have a single-phase supply. Upgrading to three-phase involves an application to your distribution network operator (DNO) and can cost £1,000 – £3,000+ depending on the work required.
For most homeowners, a 7kW charger provides more than enough speed for overnight charging. Three-phase charging is more commonly used in commercial settings or by drivers with very high daily mileage.
Popular Home Chargers Compared
The UK home charger market has several strong options. Here are four of the most popular, with typical fully-installed prices:
- Ohme Home Pro (£850 – £1,100 installed) — one of the most affordable smart chargers on the market. Excellent app, seamless integration with EV energy tariffs (especially Octopus Energy's Intelligent Go). Automatically charges when electricity is cheapest. Good choice for budget-conscious buyers.
- Zappi (£900 – £1,300 installed) — designed specifically to work with solar panels and home battery systems. Can be set to charge only when you're generating surplus solar energy (Eco mode). Popular with homeowners who have or are planning solar PV. Made in the UK by Myenergi.
- Wallbox Pulsar Plus (£750 – £1,100 installed) — compact, well-designed unit with a good app. Available in various power outputs and colours. Strong smart charging features including scheduled charging and energy monitoring.
- Pod Point Solo (£800 – £1,200 installed) — one of the original UK home chargers. Now owned by EDF Energy. Clean design, reliable performance, and good after-sales support. Available through several energy suppliers' installation packages.
All four chargers are OZEV-approved (eligible for the government grant, where it applies) and offer smart charging features including app control, scheduled charging, and energy usage monitoring. The main differentiator is integration: Ohme excels with energy tariffs, Zappi excels with solar, and Wallbox and Pod Point are strong all-rounders.
Government Grants: OZEV / LEVI
The UK government has offered grants to reduce the cost of home EV charger installation. The landscape has evolved over the years:
The Current Situation (2026)
The original OZEV (Office for Zero Emission Vehicles) Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme has been replaced by a more targeted approach. As of 2026:
- EV Chargepoint Grant: Up to £350 off the cost of installing a home charger. This is now primarily available to renters and people living in flats — homeowners in detached or semi-detached houses with off-street parking are generally no longer eligible.
- Workplace Charging Scheme: Separate grant for businesses installing chargers at workplaces.
- LEVI (Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure) Fund: A separate programme funding public and on-street charging infrastructure through local councils. Not a direct homeowner grant, but expands the charging network.
The grant situation changes frequently. Always check the current eligibility criteria on GOV.UK before planning your installation. Your installer should also be able to confirm current grant availability and handle the application on your behalf.
What the Installation Involves
A standard home EV charger installation involves:
- Survey: The installer visits your property to assess the electrical supply, identify the best location for the charger, plan the cable route from the consumer unit, and check earthing arrangements. Some installers do this remotely using photos; others visit in person. An in-person survey is generally more thorough.
- Installing a dedicated circuit: A new 32A circuit is run from your consumer unit to the charger location. This involves running 6mm² or 10mm² cable (depending on the cable length and installation method) with its own MCB and RCD protection.
- Mounting the charger: The unit is mounted on an exterior wall, inside a garage, or on a freestanding post. If mounted outside, it must be weatherproof (all approved chargers are rated at least IP65 for outdoor use).
- Earthing and bonding: The installer checks and, if necessary, upgrades the property's earthing system. This is particularly important in older properties that may have a TT earthing system.
- Testing and commissioning: The installation is tested, the charger is commissioned, and the installer walks you through the app setup and how to use the charger.
- Certification: You receive an Electrical Installation Certificate and, if applicable, the grant paperwork is submitted.
How Long Does Installation Take?
A straightforward installation — charger on an exterior wall close to the consumer unit, clear cable route — typically takes 3–4 hours. More complex installations (long cable runs, consumer unit upgrades, ground works for a post mount) can take a full day.
Do You Need Planning Permission?
In most cases, no. Installing a home EV charger falls under permitted development rights, meaning you don't need planning permission as long as:
- The charger is not installed on a wall that faces a highway (for wall-mounted units on the front of a property facing a road, check with your local council)
- The property is not a listed building
- The property is not in a conservation area, World Heritage Site, or Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB)
If your property is listed or in a conservation area, you may need listed building consent or planning permission. Contact your local planning authority before proceeding. In practice, most applications for EV chargers in these locations are approved, but the process can add several weeks.
Finding an OZEV-Approved Installer
If you're claiming the EV Chargepoint Grant, your installer must be OZEV-approved. This is non-negotiable — the grant won't be paid if the installation is carried out by a non-approved installer.
Even if you're not claiming the grant, using an OZEV-approved installer is sensible. The approval process requires installers to demonstrate competence in EV charger installation, carry appropriate insurance, and follow specific installation standards.
You can find approved installers through:
- The GOV.UK list of authorised installers
- The charger manufacturer's website (Ohme, Zappi, Wallbox, and Pod Point all have installer networks)
- NICEIC and NAPIT registers (search for electricians with EV charger installation experience)
Running Costs: What You'll Actually Pay
Here's what it costs to charge at home on different tariffs, based on a 60kWh battery charged from 20% to 80% (a typical daily charge for most drivers):
- Standard variable tariff (24p/kWh): About £8.60 per charge
- Octopus Intelligent Go (7p/kWh off-peak): About £2.50 per charge
- Economy 7 / overnight tariff (12p/kWh): About £4.30 per charge
Compare that to petrol: the equivalent journey in a 40mpg petrol car covering the same range would cost roughly £15–£18 in fuel. Even on the most expensive home electricity tariff, an EV is significantly cheaper to run per mile than a petrol or diesel car.
If you have solar panels, the economics get even better. Chargers like the Zappi can be set to charge only when your solar panels are generating surplus electricity, effectively charging your car for free during sunny months.