With the UK government targets to go fully electric 2030 believe it’s vital that drivers switch over to electric vehicles (EVs) to help do their part to improve the environment. That rise in demand is driving an increase in EV charger installation requests for home and commercial use.
More and more people are considering the installation of electric vehicle chargers at their homes as a way to take advantage of new EVs hitting the market. Having a home charging point not only offers the convenience you need to keep your vehicle ready for the road, but it also reduces dependence on public charging infrastructure that is often overcrowded or far from your residence.
The fact is, searching for quick “EV installers near me” on your mobile may be the better alternative than using that local charger. In this post, we’ll provide a quick guide to installing an electric vehicle charging points at home, including the cost, choosing the right charger, installation process, maintenance tips, and more.
EV installation has become a requirement for new home buildings in the UK. However, the trick is finding which charging system best fits the needs of your home, infrastructure, and vehicle demand. For us at Green Spark Electrics, the choice comes down to three primary factors:
The problem is navigating how to install electric car charger stations at home without knowing the intricate details of kilowatt hours or if your system can manage such electric demand. It feels like a maze working out what charger is right for you.
The best advice we can give is to keep everything basic. For most homes, a 7.4kW charger with smart charging capacity will do the trick to charge your car overnight. This will be on a cheap tariff, saving you on installation costs and charging. Many companies in the area offer deals on these home charging points, with installations costing between £750 and £950.
One of the most common questions is how long does it take to charge my EV and what does it cost. Well an easy way to explain this is x 10 with a standard 7.4kW will charge a typical 74kWh electric car battery from empty-to-full in just under 10 hours. The perfect amount of time to fully recharge your EV battery while you sleep. A slower home charger rated at 3.7kW would take around 20 hours to do the same.
Charging an electric car at home costs about £13 for a full charge and is the most convenient and cost-effective way to keep your car fully charged. Most drivers will charge their electric car overnight on off peak 7.5p per kWh waking up to a full battery every morning.
The type of quote you’ll receive from EV installers near me depends on the precise location of the charging point. Ideally, your car will be on the drive or garage next to the electric meter. This makes it simple for the installer as the connection comes directly from the primary supply, resulting in a short cable run.
Many companies offer a free online survey where you can send off the location of the charger point and meter and get an instant quote back to help give you an idea of cost and work involved.
How much is it to charge an electric car at home, you can use this EV Home Charging Calculator to find out how long it takes and how much, or little, it can cost to charge an electric car at home. You can also tailor the results to your home energy costs.
One “trick of the trade” is to work with an Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) qualified installer. Grants are available to install electric vehicle charging stations at home via the OZEV scheme. These can help with home chargers, business infrastructure, workplace chargers, and off-street parking.
The best way to ensure your installer meets the eligibility criteria for the grant you’re seeking is to conform to OZEV qualification via the official government website. If you are looking for help with off-street charger points, you can check if you’re eligible using the Kerbo Charge postcode checker. That will inform you if your local council offers support for your designated area.
Learning how to install electric car chargers at home is best managed when you work with an approved and qualified electrician. This ensures the charger point is fit correctly. DIY installation without the proper testing equipment, especially when dealing with high voltage, can be dangerous and potentially fatal.
To check that your installer is fully qualified, be sure they are registered with an electrical government body like Napit or NICEIC. They should hold a C&G 2921-34 EV charging qualification. If you can find someone who is also an approved installer with a number or charger supplier registered as OZEV qualified, that also helps.
Like any other electrical installation, safety must be a priority. All electricians should follow the code of practice written by the IET. These codes monitor and guide electricians in the safe practices concerning EV charger installation. They outline the rules and regulations that ensure your property remains safe so you can keep your vehicle prepared for any trip.
Here is a brief introduction to the regulations on EV charger installation and how to check your property is ready for a home car charging point.
The best option is a Type A RCD or RCBO because electricity in the home runs on AC (alternating current), and the electric vehicle runs on DC (direct current). A standard breaker will not detect both AC and DC leakage. You want better protection against electric shock, so the home charging point is isolated if a fault is detected.
We highly recommend you fit surge protection into your EV charger installation. Having this protection reduces the chance of damage to the vehicle if a surge of electricity were to hit the main power supply (like a lightning strike).
You can sign a disclaimer stating you will accept liability for any damage caused during a surge, but most electricians will insist you have a surge protector fitted. Most professional electricians agree that surge protectors will soon be a requirement for any new EV installations in the near future.
While it may seem appropriate to completely upgrade your consumer electricity unit, it isn’t necessary. You can usually save money (and hassle) by fitting a separate EV consumer directly to the meter. This will help separate it from the primary home power supply.
When you do use EV installers near me to fit a new EV consumer, be sure the primary power supply can be isolated. In some cases, an isolation switch must be fitted to the meter. The good news is that it is a simple process. Contact your energy supplier (the company you pay the bill to) and explain that you need a main Isolation switch fitted for a second consumer unit.
The charge is free, and completing the installation will likely take a couple of weeks. The only exception is if your consumer unit is in poor working condition. In that case, you should order a separate project and update the unit by conducting an EICR check on your property to ensure everything is safe.
Yes, when considering the EV charging station cost, you should be sure the quote includes earthing all copper pipe and metal steel work. This is a legal requirement for the property during installation so that you can avoid potential electric shock. You can check this at the stopcock and the gas meter to see if you have a yellow and green wire attached.
The same procedures are also required at the boiler in some cases where the pipe is located near where the charger point will be fitted. In the case you’re living in an older home (more than 20 years), you’ll likely see this configuration. In newer builds, most water suppliers and heating are run through plastic pipes, but copper is used for gas.
While technically, you can fit a charger point during EV installation to a 60-amp main fuse, it may not be ideal as most EV chargers draw significantly more power. Your home car charging point often requires a higher amp fuse (80 amps or more) to operate efficiently.
If you want to install an EV charger, it’s best to consult a professional and qualified electrician. They can properly assess your current electric infrastructure and upgrade your main fuse if needed.
Yes, you will need to notify your Distribution Network Operator (DNO) before installing a charge point. It is mandatory to inform a DNO about any new or significant electrical loads placed on the grid. Installing an electric vehicle charging stations at your home fits into this category.
The point is to ensure your local electricity network can handle the increased demand. Again, you want to have the work completed by a professional and qualified electrician. Your supplier should contact you if you require an upgrade as needed.
It is possible to fit a charger point to a looped supply, but you’ll need permission from your local DNO before starting. When you install electric car charger capabilities, you need to consider these types of suppliers.
Loop supply is more common in older houses where the feed from one house is shared with a neighbour or two. It is not generally a problem for the person with the primary supply, but it will be for the person sharing – as that can mean disconnecting the cable and re-routing the power during installation.
Always work with electric car charger for home systems that are certified to meet local regulations. Your test results should indicate the charger is safe to use.
This certification is a common issue happening in the industry right now. Many EV installers near me companies are popping up without the qualifications like C&G 2921-34 EV. They may not have the proper testing equipment as well.
Whenever possible, work with professional electricians who are part of the OZEV scheme or partner with charger suppliers offering approved qualifications. The certificate you receive should be saved with your property documentation as required in the event of a property sale or for insurance purposes.
If you would like a comprehensive quote for your EV home charging point and installation, check out the link below from our professional and qualified team at Green Spark Electrics. We offer a reasonable rate of £749.
EV Charger Installation | Home & Business EV Charging Solutions
EV charger installation is on the rise. Many homes, businesses, and curbside stations elect to upgrade with new charging points as the demand for EVs is also increasing. While you can find many companies offering EV installation, you always want to work with those with proper certification, tools, equipment, experience, and government backing.
At Green Spark Electrics, we provide expert EV charger installation services for homes and businesses across Durham, Newcastle, and Sunderland. Whether you’re looking for a home electric vehicle charger installation to ensure your car is ready to travel to work or a commercial EV charge point for your employees, our certified EV charger installers offer a smooth and professional setup.
Reach out today and get the expertise you can count on. We work hard to minimise any disruption to your home or business activities without sacrificing quality and safety.
When you work with Green Spark Electrics, you receive:
What’s Included in a Standard EV Charger Installation?
Don’t waste time or worry over a fly-by-night company without the experience or qualifications you need to put your mind at ease. Call us today and get a free quote for your home charging point installation.
In addition to our professional home charging station installation, we also provide solutions for commercial properties. These installations help ensure your employees, customers, and community members get the charge they need while shopping or running errands. You frequently hear about such installations with:
Why Install EV Chargers at Your Business?
At Green Spark Electrics, we are proud to support sustainability goals in our local communities of Durham, Newcastle, and Sunderland, including businesses and commercial properties. Call us today and upgrade your professional space.
EV charging stations cost for a home installation starts from £299, and business installations depend on charger type and the number of units to serve your customers and team members.
Yes! The OZEV grant offers £350 to £14,00 for eligible home and business installations, depending on your circumstances.
Most installations, including safety checks and certification, are completed within 4-6 hours. We work hard to minimize any downtime to your business or schedule home EV installation when you are likely not around to experience an interruption to your power supply.
We work with all leading brands like Rolec, Ohme, Tesla, Zappi, Wallbox, Sevadis, Easee EVEC, and many more.
Have more questions? Contact our expert team today! Book Your EV Charger Installation Today
Upgrade to fast, reliable EV charging today! Our certified EV charger installers serve Durham, Newcastle, and Sunderland with expert installations for homes and businesses.
