Charge electric car at home

author: FutureCar Staff    

Electric vehicles (EVs) have seen a significant increase in popularity in recent years, with over 840,000 fully electric cars now on UK roads, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). In 2016, that number was only around 30,000, indicating a massive growth of 40% from 2021 to 2022 alone. With the British government planning to ban the sale of new internal combustion engine vehicles by 2030, the number of EVs is expected to rise even further. However, many potential customers still have questions about charging their EVs, especially when it comes to charging at home.

While the public charging network is expanding with more charging stations being installed regularly, it is often inconvenient to drive to a public station and wait for your vehicle to charge. Charging your EV at home is often the most convenient and cost-effective option. So, what are your options for home charging?

One option is to charge your EV from a standard three-pin plug socket found in any domestic home. Contrary to what some may believe, it is possible to charge an electric vehicle using this method. However, it is generally advised to use this option only for emergency top-ups, as it is the slowest way to charge an EV. Charging from a wall socket can take 24 hours or more to fully charge even a small-capacity electric vehicle. Additionally, using extension cables to connect your car to the socket can be messy and potentially unsafe, especially if the cables are not safety rated. Charging during peak times can also be expensive.

Another option is to install a wallbox or home charge point. This is the most common method chosen by EV owners for home charging. Wallboxes are standalone charging units that can be either free-standing or wall-mounted. The installation cost can range from £600 to £1,000, but grants are available to help with the financial burden. Wallboxes are practical and safer than using extension cables, as they can be installed near where you park your EV, reducing the need for trailing wires. They can tap directly into your home's power supply, delivering a more potent charge. Typically, a wallbox provides around 7.4kW of power, making it more than twice as fast as a standard wall socket. In some cases, it is possible to upgrade your meter to a 3-phase electricity supply, allowing for even faster charging.

For those without access to a private driveway or garage, charging points in lampposts and bollards can be a convenient option. Companies like Ubitricity have installed thousands of charging points in London alone. These charging points allow EV owners to charge their vehicles while parked on the street, without the need for extension cables. They typically offer 5kW of power, which is between domestic charging and a wall unit.

If you live in a rental property, there are grants available to help with the cost of installing a wall-mounted charging point. The EV Chargepoint Grant is designed for owners of flats and landlords with tenants, providing financial assistance for the purchase and installation of a charging socket. Landlords can receive up to 200 grants for residential properties and 100 grants for commercial properties each year. It is worth putting pressure on your landlord to take advantage of these grants while they are still active.

In conclusion, there are several convenient ways to charge your EV at home. Whether you choose to charge from a standard wall socket, install a wallbox, use charging points in lampposts and bollards, or take advantage of grants for rental properties, the key is to find the method that suits your needs and circumstances.

FutureCar Staff