Home EV Charger Guide UK 2025: Everything You Need to Know
You've got an electric car (or you're about to). Now you need to figure out how to charge it at home. That means navigating charger types, installation costs, grants, and the electrical realities of your property.
It's simpler than it might seem. This guide walks you through everything British EV owners need to know.
Real Homeowner Experiences
Rachel, Sheffield (3-bed semi): "We got our Tesla Model 3 last year and started with the granny cable. It worked, but took forever. After three months, we installed an Ohme Home Pro for £950 all-in. Now we charge on Octopus Intelligent Go at 7p per kWh. Our electricity for the car costs about £30 a month—we were spending £180 on petrol before. The charger paid for itself in six months."
Marcus, Birmingham (Victorian terrace): "Our fuse board was ancient, so the installation was more complex. The electrician had to upgrade the consumer unit before fitting the charger. Total cost was £1,600 including the Zappi. But we've got solar panels, so now the car charges for free during sunny days. The Zappi just waits for excess solar and starts charging automatically."
Janet, Norwich (new-build estate): "The developer pre-wired our garage for EV charging, which made installation straightforward. Pod Point Solo 3, £850 installed. We're on a time-of-use tariff—charge overnight when it's cheapest. The app shows exactly what we're spending. Last month was £28 for 400 miles."
Do You Actually Need a Home Charger?
Let's start with the honest question. Not everyone needs a dedicated home charger.
Every EV comes with a 3-pin "granny cable" that plugs into a standard socket. It charges slowly—about 6-8 miles of range per hour. For someone driving 20-30 miles daily, plugging in overnight provides more than enough.
But there are good reasons to upgrade:
- You drive 50+ miles daily and need faster charging
- You want to take advantage of cheap overnight electricity rates
- You prefer the convenience of a dedicated charging point
- Your 3-pin circuit isn't really designed for hours of continuous high load
- You want smart features like scheduling and monitoring
- You have solar panels and want to maximise self-consumption
If none of those apply, the included cable works fine. No shame in using it.
Understanding Charging Speeds
3-Pin Charging (2.3 kW)
Standard household socket. About 6-8 miles of range per hour. Adequate for low-mileage drivers. Not ideal for regular use (sockets aren't designed for continuous high current).
Home Wallbox (7 kW)
The standard home charging setup. About 25-30 miles of range per hour. Charges a typical 60 kWh battery from 20% to 80% in about 5 hours.
This is what most home chargers provide. It's quick enough for overnight charging even with high daily mileage.
Home Wallbox (22 kW)
Three-phase power. About 75-90 miles of range per hour. Most UK homes have single-phase power, so 22 kW isn't possible without expensive electrical upgrades.
If you happen to have three-phase supply, great. Otherwise, 7 kW is your realistic ceiling.
Popular Home Chargers in 2025
| Charger | Price | Power | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ohme Home Pro | £450-£550 | 7.4 kW | Excellent smart features, Octopus integration |
| Zappi | £700-£900 | 7 kW | Solar integration, eco modes |
| Pod Point Solo 3 | £700-£900 | 7 kW | Simple, reliable, widely installed |
| Wallbox Pulsar Plus | £500-£650 | 7.4 kW | Compact, good app |
| Easee One | £650-£800 | 7.4 kW | Sleek design, smart features |
| Tesla Wall Connector | £400-£500 | 7.4 kW | Works with all EVs (now) |
All of these are solid choices. The Ohme excels at smart tariff integration. The Zappi is ideal if you have solar panels. Pod Point is proven and reliable. Tesla's charger is no longer Tesla-exclusive.
Installation Costs
The charger itself is one cost. Installation is another.
Typical Installation: £300-£600
Includes:
- Standard mounting on exterior wall near fuse board
- Cable run up to 15 metres
- New circuit and RCD protection
- DNO notification
- OZEV registration (if grant applies)
More Complex Installation: £600-£1,200
Factors that increase cost:
- Long cable runs (30+ metres)
- Trenching through garden or driveway
- Consumer unit upgrade
- Internal mounting with cable routing
- Additional earthing work
Total Costs
Charger plus standard installation typically runs £800-£1,400. Complex installations can push this to £1,500-£2,000.
Grants and Incentives
OZEV Workplace Charging Scheme
If you run a business, you can claim up to £350 per socket (up to 40 sockets) for workplace chargers.
Landlord Grant
Landlords can claim up to £350 per socket for residential properties.
Homeowner Grant (Ended)
The previous OZEV grant for homeowners ended in 2022. No direct grants currently exist for standard homeowner installations.
Some local authorities and utilities offer incentives. Worth checking with your council and energy supplier.
Saving Money with Smart Tariffs
This is where home charging really saves money.
Several suppliers offer cheap overnight electricity for EV charging:
| Tariff | Off-Peak Rate | Off-Peak Hours | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Octopus Go | 7.5p/kWh | 00:30-04:30 | 6 hours off-peak |
| Octopus Intelligent Go | 7.5p/kWh | 23:30-05:30 | Smart charging integration |
| OVO Charge Anytime | 7p/kWh | Midnight-07:00 | Selected EVs/chargers |
| British Gas Electric Driver | Variable | 00:00-05:00 | Off-peak rate varies |
At 7p/kWh, charging a 60 kWh battery from 20% to 80% (36 kWh) costs £2.52. That's about 180 miles for the price of a coffee.
Compare to petrol: 180 miles in a 40 MPG car at £1.45/litre costs roughly £20.
Smart chargers like Ohme automatically charge during cheap rate windows. Set your departure time and let the charger figure out when to draw power.
Solar Integration
If you have solar panels, charging your car with solar electricity makes financial sense. You're using 4-5p electricity (your "cost" of solar) instead of 7-25p grid electricity.
The Zappi charger is designed specifically for this. It can:
- Charge only when solar is generating (Eco+ mode)
- Prioritise solar and top up from grid as needed (Eco mode)
- Charge at full speed regardless (Fast mode)
Other smart chargers can integrate with solar systems, but Zappi does it natively and does it well.
Installation Process
- Choose your charger. Research features, read reviews, consider your needs.
- Get quotes. At least two from OZEV-approved installers. Specify your charger choice.
- Site survey. Installer assesses your property, electrical setup, and mounting location.
- Installation. Typically 2-4 hours for standard installations.
- DNO notification. Installer notifies your Distribution Network Operator of the new load.
- Registration and activation. Smart chargers need app setup. Some require supplier registration.
Total time from decision to charging: usually 2-4 weeks.
Things to Consider
Location
Most chargers mount on an exterior wall near where you park. Consider:
- Cable length (typically 5-7 metres on most chargers)
- Protection from weather (units are weatherproof, but covered locations reduce wear)
- Visibility for security
- Distance from consumer unit (affects installation cost)
Planning Permission
Usually not required for home chargers under permitted development rules. Exceptions include listed buildings and some conservation areas. Check with your council if uncertain.
Rented Properties
You need landlord permission to install a charger. Some landlords are happy to allow it (adds property value). Others resist. The landlord grant might incentivise your landlord to say yes.
British Property Types and EV Charging
Different properties present different installation challenges:
Terraced Houses
Often no off-street parking. Some councils allow trailing cables across pavements (check local by-laws). Alternatively, consider a lamp-post charger or community charging scheme. If you have a rear courtyard, installation there may be possible.
Semi-Detached and Detached Houses
Usually straightforward. Mount on garage wall or house exterior. Standard 15-metre cable runs are typically manageable. Fuse board location is the main variable affecting installation cost.
Flats and Apartments
More complex. You'll need freeholder or management company permission. Installation costs may include cabling through common areas. The OZEV grant for landlords can help if your freeholder is willing. Some developments are now installing shared charging infrastructure.
New Builds
Since June 2022, new homes with off-street parking must have EV charge points. Many new-builds come pre-wired or with chargers already installed.
What to Look for in an Installer
When choosing an installer, consider:
- OZEV approval: Required for any grant-funded work
- Electrical certification: Part P competent person scheme membership
- Charger manufacturer approval: Many brands require approved installers for warranty
- Reviews and references: Check Trustpilot, Google reviews, or ask for local references
- Clear written quote: All costs, including any potential extras, in writing
Common Installation Questions
Q: How long does installation take?
A: Standard installations take 2-4 hours. Complex installations (consumer unit upgrade, long cable runs) may take a full day.
Q: Will I need a new fuse board?
A: Older fuse boards without RCD protection will need upgrading. This adds £300-£600 but is often necessary for safety compliance anyway.
Q: Can I charge in the rain?
A: Yes. All outdoor chargers are weatherproof to IP54 or better standard. Charging in British weather is perfectly safe.
Q: What about winter performance?
A: EV batteries are less efficient in cold weather (expect 10-20% range reduction). Home charging isn't affected, but you may need to charge more frequently in winter.
Q: Can I take my charger if I move house?
A: Technically yes, but most people leave them. It adds property value and reinstallation costs nearly as much as a new installation.
Q: What happens during a power cut?
A: Charging stops. When power returns, most smart chargers resume automatically. Your car won't be damaged.
Cost Comparison: Home Charging vs Public Charging
| Charging Type | Cost per kWh | 200-Mile Cost | Annual Cost (10,000 miles) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Home (standard rate) | 24-28p | £14-£17 | £700-£850 |
| Home (off-peak) | 7-10p | £4-£6 | £200-£300 |
| Public slow | 30-40p | £18-£24 | £900-£1,200 |
| Public rapid | 60-85p | £36-£51 | £1,800-£2,550 |
| Petrol (40mpg at £1.45/l) | N/A | £33 | £1,650 |
The difference is stark. Home charging on a smart tariff costs a fraction of public charging—and even standard-rate home charging beats public rapid chargers by a wide margin.
The Bottom Line
A home EV charger costs £800-£1,400 installed for most British properties. It pays for itself through cheaper electricity versus public charging, and the convenience is considerable.
The real savings come from smart tariffs. At 7p/kWh overnight, you're looking at £200-£300 annual electricity costs versus £2,000+ in petrol. The charger pays for itself in the first year of driving.
If you're getting an EV, a home charger is worth the investment. Start with quotes from OZEV-approved installers and check what smart tariffs your electricity supplier offers. Octopus Intelligent Go and OVO Charge Anytime are particularly popular with EV owners.
Remember: the best time to install a charger is before your EV arrives. Give yourself 2-4 weeks lead time and you'll be ready to charge from day one.