Home Charging

Most electric vehicle owners carry out the majority of their charging at home so choosing the right solution is key. We can provide objective advice on the different types of charger, talk you through the installation process and answer any questions you may have.

Please see our OLEV EVHS GRANT page for full details of the Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme. The scheme means eligible customers who are the registered keeper, leasee or have primary use of an eligible electric vehicle may receive up to 75% off the total cost of the charge point and associated installation costs to a value of £350.

Home chargepoint options

There are three main types of electric vehicle charging – rapid, fast and standard. These represent the power outputs and charging speeds available to charge a vehicle.

Electric vehicles are connected to the charge point via a cable. In a tethered home charging unit, the cable that is used to charge your EV is permanently fixed to the charging station, whereas an untethered option means you need to lift the cable in and out of the car each time you wish to charge the vehicle. This cable is fitted with two connectors, the first connector fits the inlet socket on the vehicle and the second connector fits the outlet socket on the charge point.

There are different options available for Home Charging. From wall-mounted units to free-standing pedestals, our expert team can provide advice on all of the charge point options.

Benefits of EV home charging

The OLEV grant covers 75% of the cost of the charger and associated installation costs, up to a maximum of £350.

The cost of home charging will vary depending on the model of car and your electricity tariff, but a full charge might cost as little as £3 – meaning your car could cost as little as 2p per mile to run.

A home electric charging point can charge your car from flat to full in anywhere between 1 and 7 hours. Charging from a standard 13A socket takes approximately 12 hours, so the benefits of an EV chargepoint speak for themselves.

You can be in full control of when your vehicle charges and it can lead to an improved battery life if you charge to full capacity whenever possible.

Chargers are easy to relocate if you move or they can be an appealing addition to prospective buyers as more people make the change to electric vehicles and a greener, sustainable future.

Fitting your charge point

Initially we discuss your EV charging requirements and collect as many details as possible to ensure you have a seamless installation without any delays. We will also check eligibility for OLEV grant funding.

We will prepare a transparent quote and arrange the works and installation for your preferred date(s). If necessary, this can include any additional electrical work to meet regulations.

The process of installation is carried out by one or more of our skilled installers and usually takes a few hours.

We recommend that you have your Wi-Fi password ready so our installer can connect your charge point straight to the internet, allowing you to access all the smart features as soon as the installation is complete.

Please do ask any questions at any stage. We spend a lot of time in the world of electric vehicles so we are very happy to share our experience and expertise.

FAQ's

How do I charge my electric vehicle?

To charge your electric vehicle you will need to plug into a charge point. This may be one you can access in a public location such as a service station, or more conveniently, one installed at home or work.

Depending on the location of the charging point, it can be as simple as just plugging the car in. An app, RFID (radio frequency identification) card or a contactless card may also be required.

We suggest you plug your car in whenever you park to stay topped up. We also recommend traveling with your own charging cable just in case one is not supplied.

How long will my EV take to charge?

Your electric vehicle can take anywhere between 30 minutes to over 12 hours to charge depending on the speed of the charging point you choose and the size of the car battery.

The typical electric car (60kWh battery) will take around 8 hours to fully charge using a 7kW charging point. However, many EV owners top up their cars rather than charging from empty to full; 35 minutes of charge can add around 100 miles range.

How much will it cost to charge my EV?

Charging your electric vehicle at home is the main option for many EV owners. In order to keep the cost of charging as low as possible it’s important to be on the best home energy tariff as the charging cost is included in your standard electricity bill.

Many local authority chargers offer a pay per session arrangement for on-street chargers. Look out for network subscription availability as this means they can be free to use.

If you are charging your car in a public location you can expect to pay around £6-7 for 30 minutes of charging (Pod Point rapid chargers cost 23p/kWh at Lidl and 24p/kWh at Tesco). These costs are subject to variation depending on the power of the charging point.

Tesla owners are billed at 24p per kWh (kilowatt-hour).

Which car brands are compatible?

Not all electric vehicle brands are compatible with every type of charging point.

Charging points vary from slow to fast to rapid, and only a few cars are compatible with rapid chargers, such as the Tesla Model S or Kia Soul (30 minutes will achieve an 80% charge for these models).

Tesla has its own proprietary network of chargers in public places, which is exclusive to its cars. Tesla models can be charged at home off any Type 2 charging unit.

We will provide advice on the options that are compatible with your vehicle.

Have more questions? Please get in touch.

Smartcharging options

We’re always happy to provide advice, arrange a site visit or supply a quote.

Please give us a call on 01524 748006 to discuss your needs or feel free to email us on info@ichargeev.co.uk