Charging an electric vehicle at your residence

author: FutureCar Staff    

Are you considering switching to an electric vehicle (EV) or have you already made the switch? Either way, we have you covered with the most convenient ways to charge your EV at home.

The adoption of EVs has skyrocketed in recent years, with the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) reporting that there are now 840,000 fully electric cars on UK roads. In just six years, the number of EVs has grown from a mere 30,000 in 2016 to over 800,000 today.

The British government has also announced plans to ban the sale of new internal combustion engine vehicles by 2030, further driving the demand for EVs. However, many potential customers are still unsure about where to charge their EVs.

While public charging stations are becoming more common, they can often be inconvenient and require waiting for a vehicle to charge. The most practical and cost-effective way to charge your EV is at home. But what are your options?

If you want to know the cost of installing an EV charging point at your home, you can use our free price comparison tool or continue reading for more information.

Charge from a three-pin plug

Contrary to what some may believe, it is possible to charge an EV using a standard three-pin plug socket found in most homes. Many EV manufacturers even provide a charger for this purpose, although it is typically recommended for emergency top-ups only.

Charging from a domestic wall socket is the slowest method and has several drawbacks. It can take up to 24 hours to fully charge even a small-capacity EV, such as a Nissan Leaf, as the socket delivers only 2.4kW of power. Additionally, using extension cables to connect the car to the socket can be messy and potentially unsafe, especially when drawing maximum consumption for extended periods. Furthermore, charging during peak times can be expensive.

Install a wallbox

A wallbox, also known as a home charge point, is the most popular choice for EV owners. These standalone charging units can be either free-standing or wall-mounted. The installation cost typically ranges from £600 to £1,000, but grants are available for those in privately owned flats or rented accommodation.

Wallboxes offer several advantages over using a standard socket. They are more practical and safer, eliminating the need for extension cables. They can be installed near your parking spot, whether it's in a garage or on a driveway, reducing the hassle of trailing wires. Moreover, wallboxes can tap directly into your home's power supply, delivering a more powerful charge. They usually provide around 7.4kW of power, cutting charging times in half or more. In some cases, it's even possible to upgrade your meter to a 3-phase electricity supply, enabling chargers to deliver up to 22kW of power.

Plug into a lamppost or bollard

For those without access to a driveway or garage, charging points in lampposts and kerbside bollards offer a convenient solution. Several electricity suppliers have started installing these charging points in cities and densely populated areas. These points allow EV owners to charge their vehicles while parked on the street, without the need for extension cables. Companies like Ubitricity have installed thousands of charge points in London alone, offering around 5kW of power.

Put pressure on your landlord

If you live in a rental property and want a convenient way to charge your EV, you can encourage your landlord to take advantage of grants available for installing wall-mounted charging points. The EV Chargepoint Grant offers financial assistance to landlords with tenants, providing either £350 or 75% off the cost of purchase and installation. Landlords can also apply for multiple grants each year for both residential and commercial properties.

These are just a few of the options available for charging your EV at home. Each method has its advantages and considerations, so it's important to choose the one that best suits your needs and circumstances.

FutureCar Staff