How To Charge An EV At Home
These days, charging your EV on the go is often convenient, relatively quick and keeps you on the road — but what about charging at home? In order to make sure your home charging is a simple, efficient — and affordable — process, we’ve dug deep into everything you’ll need to consider when it comes to charging your EV at home.
Approximately 80% of all electric car charging happens at home — because, naturally, you’ll want to keep your EV powered up and ready for your next journey ahead of time. Think of charging your EV as being similar to the way you keep your phone battery topped up; leaving it plugged in overnight, then plugging in through the day as needed.
But there’s more to consider than simply running an EV charging cable into a standard plug socket in your house. So we’ve put together a Q&A-style guide to share the key information you need to know, when it comes to charging your EV at home quickly and simply.
Can I just charge my electric car using the wall sockets already in my home?
Technically, yes. Most electric cars will come with a slow charger that’s designed to be used with a domestic three-pin plug socket. When you’re powering up this way, you’ll be charging at 3kW — which makes this the slowest way to charge your EV. This means that larger electric cars may need to spend over 24 hours plugged in for a full charge. So, the best option is to keep your three-pin charging cable as an emergency back-up, and have a home charging point installed for everyday use.
What are my options with home charging points, and how do I get one installed?
To power up your EV at home, you’ll need a home charging point, from a company such as Keba, Rolec or Indra. Usually installed on the wall of your house, in a garage or as a standalone unit, these waterproof home-charging portals offer much faster (and more convenient) charging than the three-pin cable can — usually at 7kW rather than 3kW.
Home charging points are wired directly into your home’s electricity supply — so it’s worth considering whether you currently have a green energy supplier, to make sure your EV charge can be a sustainable one if possible.
Need the option of a speedier charge? You can buy fast-charging units that allow you to cut your powering-up time in half. Plus, for those looking to cut costs, smart chargers are available too; they can be programmed remotely to charge at particular times — for example, when the tariff is cheapest.
To have your home charging point installed, get in touch with a qualified specialist installer. They’ll also be able to ensure you’re set up with the right charger for your EV; it’ll need either a Type 1 or a Type 2 chargepoint, to suit its connector.
How much does it cost to install a home EV charger?
The exact cost will depend on whether you choose a smart charger or fast charger — but ,as a rule, you’ll be looking to pay around £450+ for a fully installed smart home-charging point. These units should be remotely manageable via an app — giving you access to features that allow for smart charging, which saves you money by buying energy from the grid when it’s at its cheapest.
It’s worth noting that some EV manufacturers offer a free wallbox with installation when you purchase an electric car from them — so, if you’re yet to buy your EV, then it’s worth shopping around. Plus, if you buy a new EV, you’ll have access to a government grant that pays up to £350 towards the cost of buying and installing your home charger.
Once you’re all set up, you’ll only pay for the electricity you use. In the UK, the typical charging rate is around 17p per kWh. But by using apps like ev.energy, you can automatically track electricity prices to charge your EV at the cheapest rates available. For example, charging your car overnight means that you can take advantage of low night-time charging rates — so you can power up for as little as 2pm per mile.
Start charging your EV at home today by downloading our smart charging app.
