How to Install an Electric Car Charger
If you’re considering an electric vehicle as your next car, one of the most popular questions asked is how to install an electric car charger at home.
In this article, we’ll outline all the factors you need to consider to make sure your installation is done safely and correctly.
Can I install an EV charger myself?
One of the most popular questions about setting up a home EV charger is whether you can install one yourself. Unfortunately, unless you’re a qualified electrician, the answer is no.
This is because installing an EV charger yourself poses a significant safety risk. Unlike setting up a typical home appliance, installing an EV charger involves working with high-voltage currents. EV chargers are designed to deliver substantial amounts of power, necessitating a dedicated connection to your home’s main electrical supply. This usually involves installing new circuit breakers and running specialised cabling from your meter box to the charging unit’s location, tasks that should only be handled by a qualified electrician to ensure safety and compliance with regulations.
If you install an EV charger at home yourself, you can also void the manufacturer’s warranty. This can potentially cause you to become ineligible for any government grants that would’ve helped you reduce installation costs. So, for a safe and compliant setup, it’s best to contact a certified electrician to install a home EV charger for you.
Can a normal/standard electrician install an EV charger?
Only a qualified and certified electrician should be used to ensure your home EV charger is installed safely and in compliance with UK standards. A certified electrician will have a chargepoint installation qualification (2921) and be registered with the Competent Person Scheme.
The easiest way to find an electrician qualified to install your home EV charger is to purchase a charger through a reputable provider, as they will likely include the installation service as part of their purchase package. By purchasing your EV charger in this way, you’ll have the peace of mind that your home charger will be installed safely and compliant with all regulatory standards.
How much does it cost to install an EV charger at home?
The cost to install a home EV charger in the UK is between around £800 and £1,250 depending, mostly on its power output. For example, if you install the slower 3.6kW charger at home, which can fully recharge your electric car in around 19 hours, this will be towards the lower end of the scale. However, a 22kW charger, which is the fastest electric car charging speed possible at a residential property, can fully recharge an EV in around 3 hours and will be at the higher end of the scale. However these can only be used in they small minority of homes that have a three-phase electricity supply.
There will also be a slight variation in price due to an EV charger’s smart features, and whether it is a tethered or untethered charger, but these are minimal in comparison.
Can you get a grant for a home EV charger?
There are currently two main grants available to drivers that can support UK residents when charging an EV at home.
Electric Vehicle Chargepoint Grant For Households With On-Street Parking
The Electric Vehicle Chargepoint Grant for Households with On-Street Parking provides support to EV owners who do not have access to off-street parking. Capped at £350, this grant covers up to 75% of the installation cost of an EV charger and is eligible for residents in homes without driveways.
Electric Vehicle Chargepoint Grant For Renters And Flat Owners
The Electric Vehicle Chargepoint Grant for Renters and Flat Owners is a similar grant that also covers up to 75% of the installation cost of an EV charger, capped at £350, but provides support to EV owners who own a flat without dedicated parking and those who rent their homes.
Find out more about government grants for EV chargers at home.
Is it worth having an EV charger installed?
Installing an EV charger at home in the UK can be a significant investment, but once you are up and running, you’ll make considerable savings when charging your EV.
By installing an EV charger, you’ll save around £1,100 per year by charging your EV at home compared to at a public charge point. You can also make further savings by making sure to utilise an EV charger’s smart features, such as setting a timer that allows you to only charge your EV when electricity is cheapest during off-peak times, which typically saves you around £25 per charge.
Having the ability to charge an EV at home is also far more convenient than charging at a public charge point. With a home charger you can avoid queues, eliminate the need to divert to a charging station on your way home from work, and, if a full charge typically covers your daily commute, you won’t need to take time out of your day to recharge your EV when you could be doing something else. Instead, you simply return home, plug your electric car into your home EV charger, and in most cases, by the following morning, your car will be fully recharged and ready for use.
Do you need permission to install an EV charger?
If your home has off-street parking, generally you do not require permission to install an electric car charger at home. However, there are certain specific circumstances where permission from the local government will need to be attained.
You will require a permit to install an EV charger at home when;
Your charger is too close to a highway
Your charger is being installed on a listed building
Your charger is over 0.2 cubic metres (wall-mounted) or over 1.6 metres high (ground-mounted)
Can I install an EV charger without a driveway?
Yes, you can install an EV charger when your home has no driveway but there is currently a legal requirement to obtain planning permission. There are also a couple of other factors to consider:
The first is where you usually park. Charging an EV requires you to plug a cable from your car into an EV charger. So, if your cable cannot reach your car, you will not be able to charge your EV at home. However, if you can park directly outside your home, or within one parking bay, an EV cable should be able to reach your vehicle.
The second factor surrounds the risk of running a cable across the pavement to charge your car. Trailing a cable across a pavement can cause a potential hazard to passers by, and there’s also the risk of your cable becoming damaged. Thankfully there are a few ways to mitigate these risks.
EV Cable Protectors
The most basic option is an EV charging cable protector, which sits on top of your cable to prevent any potential damage if someone, for example, were to step on your cable or ride over it when on a bike or in a wheelchair. However, these protectors are trapezoidal in shape and therefore lay elevated on the pavement, which can still cause a potential tripping hazard despite being clearly marked.
Cross-Pavement Charging Arms
At the other end of the scale are cross-pavement charging arms. Instead of trailing your EV cable across the pavement to your car, a cross-pavement charging arm lifts the cable over the pavement to reduce any obstruction. These arms can be installed as either wall-mounted or ground-mounted and fold out across the pavement to a maximum distance of 2.3 metres, dangling your charging cable down to your EV. You will need to obtain permission from your local council or landowner before having a charging arm installed.
Charging Channel/Gully
Unlike EV cable protectors that sit on top of the pavement, or charging arms that lift your cable up and over the pavement, a charging channels or a cable gully, lie flush with the ground, therefore eliminating any potential tripping hazards. This is achieved by excavating a channel within the pavement for your charging cable.
Council permission is required to install this channel outside your home, but companies such as ourselves will handle all necessary communication with the council to streamline the installation process for you.
If you would like to find out more about charging channels and how Kerbo Charge can help, simply enter your postcode to see if we’re available in your area. You can also get in touch and one of our team will be happy to answer any questions you may have.
