How to Get a Home EV Charger Installed in the UK
The complete guide to EV home charger installation - choosing a wallbox, finding an installer, costs, and grants.
Getting a home EV charger installed is one of the best things you can do as an electric car owner. Charging overnight at home costs a fraction of public rapid charging, takes no effort, and means you start every morning with a full battery. For most drivers, it transforms the EV ownership experience.
This guide covers the entire EV home charger installation process from start to finish: whether you actually need one, which type of charger suits your situation, how to find a trustworthy installer, what the installation involves, and how to claim any available government grants.
For model-specific wallbox recommendations, see our . If budget is your first question, the has the full numbers.
Do you actually need a home EV charger?
Strictly speaking, no. Every electric car comes with a Mode 2 cable - a three-pin plug on one end, a Type 2 connector on the other - that lets you charge from a standard domestic socket. It works. But it charges at around 2.3kW, which means a 60kWh battery takes 25-plus hours to go from near-empty to full.
A 7kW home wallbox charges at three times that speed. The same battery fills overnight in around nine hours. For most drivers, that is the difference between plugging in every night without thinking about it and carefully rationing when you charge.
If you drive under 30 miles a day and have easy access to a standard socket near your parking spot, the granny cable is a workable short-term solution. For everyone else - and for the best long-term EV experience - a proper wallbox installation is worth doing once and doing right.
If you do not have a driveway or off-street parking, the calculation is different. Read our guide to for the options available to you.
Types of home EV charger
Understanding charger types before you shop saves confusion later.
7kW AC wallbox (the standard choice)
The vast majority of UK home installations are 7kW (technically 7.4kW at 32A on a single-phase supply). This is the sweet spot: fast enough to charge most EVs overnight, compatible with every current UK electric car, and straightforward to install on a standard domestic supply. A 60kWh battery charges in around eight to nine hours at 7kW - perfect for overnight charging.
22kW AC wallbox (three-phase only)
Some wallboxes offer 22kW charging, but this requires a three-phase electricity supply. Most UK homes have single-phase supplies, making 22kW impractical without significant electrical infrastructure work. Confirm your supply type before considering a 22kW unit - your installer can check this.
Smart vs non-smart chargers
A smart charger connects to your home Wi-Fi and lets you schedule charging, monitor energy use, and integrate with smart tariffs - including overnight off-peak rates such as Octopus Go. A non-smart (or 'dumb') charger simply charges when plugged in. From October 2021, all new home charger installations in the UK must meet smart charging requirements under government regulations. In practice, every new wallbox sold today is smart-capable.
How to choose the right wallbox
Five questions worth answering before you pick a charger.
Do you have solar panels? If yes, consider a solar-integrated charger like the myenergi Zappi, which can prioritise charging from surplus solar generation rather than the grid. This reduces your electricity cost further.
How important is the app to you? Some chargers have polished, reliable apps (Ohme and Zappi are well-regarded). Others are more functional than elegant. If you plan to use smart scheduling heavily, app quality matters.
What does your installer support? Not every installer works with every brand. Some have preferred partnerships. Ask upfront - and make sure any charger you choose is available through an OZEV-approved installer to preserve grant eligibility.
What is your budget? Entry-level smart chargers (Pod Point Solo 3) start from around 800-900 pounds installed. Premium units (Andersen A2, Ohme Home Pro) run to 1,200-1,500 pounds installed. The functionality gap between mid-range and premium is narrower than the price gap.
Do aesthetics matter? Most wallboxes are functional white boxes. The Andersen A2 is the exception - a genuinely design-led unit available in multiple colours and finishes. It costs more, but if your charger is visible from the street or your driveway, the finish matters to some buyers.
For a full side-by-side comparison of the leading models, see our guide, or read the if you have narrowed it to those three.
Finding a trustworthy installer
All home EV charger installations in the UK should be carried out by an OZEV-approved installer. OZEV (the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles) accredits installers who meet specific competency and safety standards. Using an OZEV-approved installer is also a requirement to claim the government grant.
The easiest way to find one is through the OZEV installer search at . Charger manufacturers also maintain their own approved installer networks - Ohme, Zappi, Pod Point, and Easee all have postcode-searchable installer finders on their websites.
When getting quotes, ask for at minimum two or three. Prices for the same charger can vary by several hundred pounds between installers depending on location, cable run length, and whether any electrical upgrades are needed. A reputable installer will survey your property before quoting - be wary of any installer who quotes without asking about your consumer unit, cable run distance, or supply type.
What to check when comparing installers:
- OZEV/OZEV-approved status (ask for their accreditation number)
- Whether they are NICEIC or NAPIT registered (electrical competency schemes)
- Warranty on both the charger and the installation workmanship
- Whether they handle grant applications on your behalf (most do)
What happens on installation day
Most installers conduct a survey before installation day - either in person or via photos and a video call. They will assess your consumer unit (fuse box), establish the best cable route from the unit to your parking spot, confirm your electricity supply type, and check whether a smart meter is present. This survey informs the final quote.
The installer will check whether your consumer unit has a spare circuit for the charger. Most modern consumer units do. If yours is old or full, an upgrade may be needed - this adds cost (typically 300-600 pounds) and may require a Part P building regulations notification. Your installer handles this.
The charger requires a dedicated circuit from your consumer unit to the parking spot. The cable run is typically installed in conduit along exterior walls or through the property. A straightforward run (garage adjacent to consumer unit) takes under an hour. A long or complex run (charger at the far end of a driveway) takes longer and costs more.
The wallbox is mounted - usually on an exterior wall or garage wall - wired in, and commissioned. The installer will connect it to your Wi-Fi, set up the app, and walk you through scheduling and monitoring. Total installation time for a straightforward job is two to four hours.
You will receive an electrical installation certificate (EIC) confirming the work is compliant with BS 7671 wiring regulations. Keep this document - you may need it for insurance purposes or if you sell the property. Your installer should also submit the grant claim on your behalf if applicable.
Smart meter requirement
Since December 2022, new home charger installations must be connected to a smart meter, or have smart meter readiness built in. Most modern chargers satisfy the readiness requirement without a smart meter being physically present, but check with your installer. If you do not yet have a smart meter, your energy supplier will fit one for free on request.
Government grants for home EV charger installation
Two government schemes currently support home EV charger installation costs in the UK.
Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme (EVHS) — This scheme offers a grant of up to 350 pounds towards the cost of a home charger for renters and flat-dwellers (the scheme was extended beyond homeowners in 2022). Homeowners purchasing a new EV are no longer eligible for the EVHS grant as of April 2022, but renters and those in flats or rented accommodation still qualify. The grant is claimed by your OZEV-approved installer and deducted from your bill - you never handle the money directly.
Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) scheme — A separate programme funding on-street residential charging infrastructure through local authorities. Relevant if you do not have off-street parking. See our for more on this scheme.
For a full breakdown of current eligibility rules, qualifying charger models, and the step-by-step application process, read our dedicated .
Costs: what to budget
A typical 7kW smart wallbox installation in the UK costs 800-1,200 pounds all-in, including the charger unit and installation. That range covers most straightforward jobs - a garage or external wall close to the consumer unit, no electrical upgrades needed.
Costs rise when the cable run is long, the consumer unit needs upgrading, or you choose a premium charger brand. The highest end of the market - Andersen A2, premium Ohme configurations - can reach 1,400-1,600 pounds installed.
After any applicable grant (up to 350 pounds for eligible buyers), the net cost for a mid-range installation drops to 500-900 pounds. At typical home charging rates, you recover that through fuel savings within 12-18 months of regular use.
For a full scenario-by-scenario cost breakdown, read the . For the running cost savings from home charging vs public charging, see .
Frequently asked questions
Most straightforward installations take two to four hours on the day. Complex jobs - long cable runs, consumer unit upgrades, listed buildings - may take a full day. Your installer will give you a time estimate at the survey stage.
In most cases, no. Domestic EV charger installation is classified as permitted development in the UK and does not require planning permission. Exceptions apply to listed buildings and properties in some conservation areas - check with your local planning authority if in doubt.
Legally, no. EV charger installation is notifiable electrical work under Part P of the Building Regulations and must be carried out by a registered electrician or OZEV-approved installer. DIY installation also invalidates most charger warranties and means you cannot claim any government grants.
You can still get a home charger installed as a renter, but you need your landlord's written permission. You are also eligible for the EVHS grant (up to 350 pounds) as a renter - homeowners purchasing new EVs are no longer eligible. Some landlords are increasingly open to charger installation as it adds value to the property.
Possibly, but not always. Most modern consumer units have a spare way for the charger circuit. Older or full consumer units may need upgrading - typically costing 300-600 pounds extra. Your installer will confirm this at the pre-installation survey.