Before booking a home EV charger installation, check four things: that your electricity supply and consumer unit can take the extra load, how the charger will be earthed, where the car parks and how the cable will reach it, and whether the charger meets the smart charge point rules. Most homes with off-street parking can have a charger, but some need a supply or consumer unit upgrade first, and that is better found out before the work is booked.
Your supply and consumer unit
A typical 7 kW home charger draws around 32 amps for hours at a time, which is more than almost anything else in a house. The installer works out the maximum demand of your home, including the cooker, shower, heating and the new charger, and compares it with the rating of your main fuse. Many chargers can manage this themselves by slowing down when the house is using a lot of power.
Your electricity network operator must be told about a charge point installation, and in some cases its agreement is needed before the charger is connected. If the main fuse is too small, or the supply is looped (shared with a neighbour), the operator may need to upgrade or separate it first, which can add time.
The consumer unit needs space for a new circuit and needs to be in good condition. If yours is older, read our guide to the signs a consumer unit needs upgrading, and see our consumer unit upgrades page.
Earthing, and why it matters outdoors
Many UK homes take their earth from the network through a system called PME. In the rare event that a particular conductor in the supply cable breaks, known as an open PEN fault, metal parts connected to that earth can become live. A car standing outside on wet ground is exactly where that would matter.
The wiring regulations therefore require protection against this for EV charge points. It is usually provided either by a charger with built-in open PEN detection, or by giving the charger its own earth electrode in the ground. The installer chooses the right method for the property, alongside suitable RCD protection for the charger circuit.
The smart charge point rules
In Great Britain, home and workplace charge points must meet the smart charge point regulations that came into force in 2022. In general terms, a charger must be able to send and receive information, respond to signals that change its charging rate, default to charging outside peak times (which you can override), apply a randomised delay, and meet security requirements. The detail can change, so check the current rules if you are buying a charger yourself.
Because smart functions need a data connection, check the Wi-Fi or mobile signal where the charger will go. A garage or the far end of a driveway can have a weak signal.
Parking, cable route and the type of charger
A home charger normally needs off-street parking such as a driveway, garage or private space. You should not run a charging cable across a public pavement, and some councils have their own schemes for this, so check with yours if you have no off-street parking.
The distance from the consumer unit to the charger affects the cable size and route, whether through a garage, along an outside wall or buried. Position the charger so the lead reaches the car's charging port without stretching.
- Tethered: the cable is fixed to the charger, so you just plug in the car.
- Untethered: the charger has a socket and you use your own cable. It looks neater and suits a change of car.
For flats and shared parking, you will normally need permission from the freeholder or managing agent, and a way to get a supply to the space.
Grants
The government has run grant schemes through the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) to help some households with the cost of a charge point, for example some flat owners and people who rent. Schemes, eligibility and amounts change, and each has its own rules about how and when to apply and who can carry out the installation. Check the current OZEV scheme on GOV.UK before relying on a grant.
The paperwork you should get
Adding a new circuit for a charger is notifiable work under Part P of the Building Regulations in England, so it must be notified to building control, either through a registered competent person scheme or the council's building control. You should receive an Electrical Installation Certificate with the test results, and the network operator should be notified.
If the rest of your wiring has not been checked for a while, an electrical inspection before adding a large new load is sensible. For more on the job itself, see our EV charger installation page.
Common questions
Can I charge from a normal three-pin socket?
Occasionally, using the cable supplied with the car, but it is slow and puts a heavy load on one socket for many hours. A dedicated charge point on its own circuit is the safer choice for regular charging.
Will my main fuse need upgrading?
It depends on your existing load and your main fuse rating. Many homes can take a 7 kW charger, especially one with load management, but where the maximum demand is too high the network operator may need to upgrade the fuse or the supply.
Does an EV charger need Wi-Fi?
Smart charge points need a data connection for their smart functions, usually Wi-Fi or a mobile signal. Check the signal at the exact spot where the charger will be fitted.
Should I choose a tethered or untethered charger?
A tethered charger has the cable attached, which is quicker to use every day. An untethered charger looks neater and works with whatever cable suits your next car.
Can I get a grant for a home charger?
Some households may be eligible for a grant through the government's OZEV scheme, for example some flat owners and renters. Eligibility and amounts change, so check the current scheme on GOV.UK before relying on one.