Charging electric vehicles at your residence

author: FutureCar Staff    

Electric vehicles (EVs) have seen a significant increase in popularity in recent years, with the number of fully electric cars on UK roads reaching 840,000, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). This is a massive growth compared to the 30,000 EVs on the road in 2016, with the market expanding by 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 continue rising rapidly. However, many potential customers and EV enthusiasts still have questions about where to charge their vehicles.

While the public charging network is expanding, driving to a public station and waiting for a vehicle to charge can be inconvenient. Charging an electric vehicle at home is often the most convenient and cost-effective option. But what are the different ways to charge an EV at home?

One option is to use a standard three-pin plug socket found in any domestic home. While it is possible to charge an EV using this method, it is generally advised to use it only for emergency top-ups. Charging from a domestic wall socket is slow, delivering just 2.4kW of power. It can take 24 hours or more to fully charge even a small-capacity EV. Additionally, using extension cables to connect the vehicle to the socket can be messy and inconvenient for others. This method is also expensive, as electricity consumption during peak times is costly. To make charging an EV at home more cost-effective, it is recommended to use a multi-rate tariff that offers a lower rate during overnight off-peak hours.

Another popular option is to install a wallbox or home charge point. These standalone charging units can be free-standing or wall-mounted, and they offer a more practical and safer solution than using extension cables. Wallboxes can be installed close to where the EV is typically parked, reducing the need for trailing wires. They tap directly into the home's power supply, delivering a more potent hit of electricity. Typically, a wallbox provides around 7.4kW of power, making it more than twice as fast as a domestic three-pin socket. In some cases, it is possible to upgrade the meter to a 3-phase electricity supply, enabling chargers to deliver power up to 22kW. However, this upgrade can be costly, depending on various factors.

If off-street parking is not available, EV owners can utilize charging points installed in lampposts and bollards. Some electricity suppliers have started installing charging points in urban areas, allowing EV owners to charge their vehicles while parked on the street. These charging points typically offer 5kW of power, providing a middle ground between domestic charging and a wall unit. Companies like Ubitricity have installed thousands of charge points in London alone, and users can locate them using various digital services.

For those living in rental properties, there are grants available to help with the cost of installing wall-mounted charging points. The EV Chargepoint Grant is specifically designed for owners of flats and landlords with tenants, providing financial assistance for the purchase and installation of a socket. Landlords can receive up to 200 grants for residential properties and 100 grants for commercial properties each financial year. It's important for renters to communicate with their landlords and take advantage of these grants to make EV charging more convenient.

FutureCar Staff