Installing a home EV charger

A home EV charger is the single most impactful thing you can do to make living with an electric lease car practical and affordable. Charging overnight at home is the most convenient and typically the lowest-cost way to keep your battery topped up. This guide covers the different types of charger, what installation involves, what grants are available, who qualifies and what to expect on installation day.

Why home charging makes electric leasing more practical

Starting every day with a full charge

• Plugging in at home overnight means your battery is full before you start every morning

• No detour to a forecourt or wait at a public charger on your commute

• For most urban and suburban drivers, a home charger covers every daily need without visiting a public network

The cost advantage of home charging

• Electricity from a home tariff is typically significantly cheaper per kWh than rapid public chargers

• Off-peak and EV-specific overnight tariffs, offered by several major UK energy suppliers, reduce the cost per mile further

• Smart chargers enable automatic scheduling so the car charges at the cheapest overnight window without any manual input

Home charging and your lease car

• The charger is installed at your property: you do not need to own the vehicle to benefit

• When you return a lease car and collect the next one, the charger is already in place and ready to use immediately

• A home charger installed during one lease contract continues to serve every subsequent EV you drive from that address.

• With the growing popularity of EVs, a home charger is fast becoming a key selling point for house buyers, so whilst you can’t take it with you if you move, it has the potential to add value to your home. 

Electric car leasing deals

Types of home EV charger

There are three ways to charge at home: one requires no installation, one is the standard choice for most homes, and one needs infrastructure the majority of UK properties do not have.

3-pin plug (trickle charging)

• EV’s can be charged via a standard 3-pin domestic socket using a supplied cable

• Output: approximately 2.3kW (at best); at this rate a typical EV could take 24 hours or more to charge fully

• No installation required but not suitable as a primary charging method: prolonged use generates more heat than a dedicated wallbox

• Useful as an occasional backup; not recommended for regular overnight charging

7kW wallbox (the standard home installation)

• A 7kW wallbox is the most common home EV charger installation in the UK

• Charges most EVs from near-empty to full in around 6 to 8 hours: well-suited to overnight charging

• Requires professional installation by an OZEV (Office for Zero Emission Vehicles) approved installer

• Connects to your home's single-phase electricity supply, which is standard in most UK properties

22kW wallbox (three-phase supply only)

• A 22kW charger charges significantly faster than a 7kW unit but requires a three-phase electricity supply

• The vast majority of UK homes have single-phase supply: three-phase is found mainly in commercial properties and some newer builds

• Unless you have confirmed three-phase supply, a 7kW wallbox is the practical and correct choice

Smart chargers: a legal requirement since June 2022

• Since June 2022, all new home EV chargers installed in the UK must be smart chargers by law

• A smart charger communicates with the electricity grid, can be scheduled via an app and responds to time-of-use tariff signals

• Smart scheduling automatically moves charging to the cheapest overnight window, reducing running costs without driver involvement

• There is no option to install a non-smart charger at home as a new installation: the legal requirement applies universally

• For more on managing your EV day to day, see our guide to driving an electric vehicle

How much does a home EV charger cost?

The total cost covers two components: the hardware and the installation. Both vary depending on your circumstances.

Hardware costs

• A 7kW smart wallbox typically costs several hundred pounds for the unit alone

• Prices vary significantly between brands and specification levels: basic units are less expensive than models with premium apps, solar integration or vehicle-to-grid capability

• Well-known brands include Ohme, Zappi, Andersen and Wallbox: your installer will advise on compatibility with your specific vehicle and energy tariff

Installation costs

• Installation cost depends primarily on the distance between the charger location and your consumer unit (fuse box), and the complexity of the cable run

• A straightforward installation close to the consumer unit with a simple cable run costs less than one requiring routing through walls, underground or across a longer distance

• Always request a written quote itemising hardware and installation separately before any work begins

Total cost expectations and current figures

• Combined hardware and installation costs currently run between (approx.) £1100 and £2100 for a standard 7kW installation – depending on your individual circumstances and requirements

• Applicable government grants reduce the net cost for eligible drivers (see the grants section below)

Grants and financial support

Government financial support for home EV chargers exists in the UK, but eligibility rules are narrower than many drivers expect.

The OZEV EV Chargepoint Grant

• The UK government's OZEV (Office for Zero Emission Vehicles) EV Chargepoint Grant provides financial support toward the cost of a home charger

• The grant is applied by your approved installer on your behalf: you do not apply to the government directly

• The grant can only be used with OZEV-approved installers and for approved smart charger models

• Grant amounts and eligibility rules change: always verify the current position at Electric vehicle chargepoint grants - GOV.UK before assuming you qualify

Who is currently eligible

• Homeowners in houses with private off-street parking are no longer eligible for the residential EV Chargepoint Grant. Homeowners with on-street parking only are currently eligible.

• Renters in residential properties are currently eligible, subject to landlord consent

• Flat owners (owner-occupier) are currently eligible

• Social housing tenants may be eligible under separate provisions

• If the charger will be used for a company or lease car, ask your installer about the Workplace Charging Scheme as an alternative route

• All eligibility is subject to the current rules: verify at Electric vehicle chargepoint grants - GOV.UK before proceeding

What the grant does not cover

• The grant is a contribution toward cost, not full payment: a co-payment is always required

• Non-smart chargers are not eligible: the grant and the smart charger legal requirement align

• Replacement or upgrade of an existing charger may not qualify under all circumstances

What you need at home before installation

Consider these five things before booking an installer.

• Off-street parking: for this solution, the charger must be installed where you can park and connect the cable; a driveway, garage or private parking space is required.

• On-street parking: you may be able to install a cross-pavement solution, for example a charging gully. See further details in our on-street parking section below

• Electricity supply: your installer will assess your consumer unit during the survey; most modern homes have adequate supply for a 7kW charger without upgrade

• Cable run: the further the charger is from your consumer unit, the more cable and labour is involved; discuss placement before quoting

• Landlord consent: if you rent, you will need written consent from your landlord before installation; this is also required for the grant application in most cases

What if I only have on-street parking?

• A traditional home wallbox is not feasible on its own with on-street parking: running a cable across a public pavement is not permitted, however, cross pavement charging solutions are becoming more common. Read the latest .gov guidance here and information on on-street parking EV Chargepoint grant eligibility here

• Some local authorities are beginning to install pavement-mounted or on-street charging units for residents without off-street access: check with your local council

• In the meantime, public charging networks and workplace charging are the primary alternatives for on-street parkers

• This is a genuine practical constraint worth factoring into your decision before committing to an electric lease

The installation process: what to expect on the day

A standard home EV charger installation typically takes between two and four hours from start to finish.

• Step 1: choose an OZEV-approved installer. Only approved installers can apply for the government grant on your behalf.

• Step 2: site survey. Many installers offer a free survey (in person or via photos and video) to assess your electricity supply, consumer unit, cable run and proposed charger location.

• Step 3: written quote. The quote should itemise hardware, installation labour and any additional work such as consumer unit upgrades or complex cable routing.

• Step 4: grant application. If you are eligible, your installer submits the grant application on your behalf before the installation. If your application is approved, your installer claims the grant on your behalf after installation is completed.

• Step 5: installation day. The installer mounts the unit, runs the cable, connects to the consumer unit and tests the full system.

• Step 6: DNO notification. Your installer notifies your Distribution Network Operator (DNO) if required, typically for chargers above a certain output level. This is the installer's responsibility, not yours.

• Step 7: handover. The installer demonstrates the unit, sets up the app connection and confirms the charging schedule is working correctly.