How Much Does It Cost To Get An Electric Car Charger Installed?

• by Martin Punter
• May 28, 2021
• 13 min read

It’s a popular question that will only pick up more steam as we edge closer to an all-electric future. The question we’re talking about is: “how much does it cost to install an electric car charger UK?”

As you can probably tell, there isn’t one answer, but multiple. It all depends on the UK car chargers you’re looking at.

And what you’re driving, of course.

It’s a great time for home EV chargers — buyers have so many options at their disposal, which is both a blessing and a curse. Good as in you can compare multiple home chargers to find the best one for you, and bad in the sense that it can feel overwhelming at times.

Try not to worry; E4TP has you covered.

We’ve covered home EV chargers before via our 2021 buying guide. However, today we’ll be cutting straight to the point, identifying how much it costs to install an electric car charger in the UK.

You don’t need to spend a ridiculous amount of money to find a decent home car charger.

Let’s make that perfectly clear from the outset.

So, How Much Does It Cost To Install An Electric Car Charger?

We’ll begin by cutting straight to the point.

As we’ve touched on, how much you pay to install an electric car charger in the UK depends on the type of charger you use. You have two main options to contend with:

Type 1 UK Chargers: These units are known as ‘fast chargers,’ rated between 7kW to 22kW. Type 1 chargers take 2-4 hours to charge your EV.

Type 2 UK Chargers: Slow charging units, Type 2 chargers take a lot longer to charge in comparison. They’re cheaper to buy/install because of this reason.

Most Type 2 chargers you’ll find simply plug into any standard 3-pin socket, which does have its pitfalls. We’d recommend going with a Type 1 UK charger every time; they’re more reliable.

So how much does it cost to install an electric car charger (UK)?

You’d be looking to pay around £1,000 on average to have a home unit installed. However, government grants are available to cut that cost down — we’ll be covering these incentives in a second.

Keep in mind that this is a rough average based on multiple accounts. The costs of installing a home unit could differ depending on who you go with for the install.

A great way to compare pricing would be to use Zap-Map, an app made for electric charging. Checkatrade is another great option, as are any other comparison sites lining the world wide web.

Try to compare a few companies before making a final decision, as you could save money in the long run.

Incentives that Help You Pay Installation Fees

The cost to install car chargers in the UK isn’t so bad when you take advantage of the right incentives.

For example, the Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme available at the moment is giving avid EV owners £350 to go towards installations. This takes a big chunk off of that £1,000 installation fee we mentioned above.

Again, this depends on the charger you choose. Type 1 units cost more to install (up to £800 after deductions), whereas Type 2 chargers cost a lot less (up to £500 after deductions).

Note: the scheme initially gave drivers £500 but was lowered last year.

In other words, you might want to apply now before it drops again.

Scottish residents, you have the chance to take another £400 off the bill (lucky sods).

The Energy Saving Trust has its own grant covering UK car chargers, giving you £300 to play with (£400 if you live in remote areas). All they ask is that you use specific installers (OLEV-accredited or EST approved companies).

You might be thinking: why do these grants exist?

And the simple answer is: governments want more EVs on the road, which extends to home chargers by proxy.

The number of electric vehicles on UK roads is increasing. However, encouraging die-hard petrol/diesel drivers to make a switch is like convincing Jeremy Clarkson that his shirts are too tight for him.

They’re stubborn, but with the right incentives, could be convinced to transition to eco-friendly alternatives.

There’s actually another grant available that goes towards paying for EVs outright. The low-emission vehicle grant can award up to £2,500!

Try to jump on these incentives while you can; they won’t be around forever.

Can’t I Just Install The Electric Car Charger Myself?

Theoretically, yes, if you have the technical know-how, then you could install one of these home UK car chargers yourself.

Should you do it is another question entirely.

Think about it. Hardwiring a home charger isn’t the same as simply plugging it into the wall. There is a lot that could go wrong if you don’t know what you’re doing. One wrong move could blow a fuse or cause a fire.

Your safety is also at risk, especially if you have no background in electric systems.

Our advice would be to always pay for the installation.

We’ve already answered the question: how much does it cost to install an electric car charger in the UK, and yes, it is costly. But think of how much you’d need to pay in damages if something goes wrong.

It’s best to play it safe. Hire a registered professional to come to you and get your UK home charger installed the right way.

Besides, you wouldn’t be eligible for certain grants if you aren’t seeking the help of an OLEV-approved provider. With hundreds covering the cost, you’ll have peace of mind and all the work is done for you!

What Electric Car Companies are Doing to Help

In terms of financing, car brands don’t do a lot to help you install charging units at home.

The majority of electric cars bought do come with a 3kW slow charger included, but that doesn’t really help UK buyers looking to install home charging units.

Most electric car companies do, however, list recommended electricians on their site, making it easier for you to find a reputable local installer. Tesla, for example, has a complete step-by-step guide on installing home charging equipment.

In fact, Tesla sell their own home charging units from their site if you’re interested? You’d need to own a Tesla first, but they’re renowned for having lightning-fast charge times. The Tesla Wall Connector is £460 to buy before the additional installation costs.

Tesla have broken it down into three simple steps — steps we’ll parrot for you for the sake of time:

• Begin by purchasing the Tesla Wall Connector.
• Schedule an electrician to visit your home.
• Organise the installation prior to delivery.

These UK car chargers are currently sold out as of this writing.

If in doubt, check your car manual. All the information you need and more can be found on these pages; this includes charging limits. You see, there are rapid chargers out there; chargers that can add 100 miles of range in under 35 minutes.

You’ll rarely find rapid chargers fit for UK homes; they’re far too powerful. Public charging stations, on the other hand, are full of them.

Some EVs can’t handle rapid charging power, which you’d know if you read the manual.

Why that is comes down to what type of connector your EV uses. The Renault Zoe, for example, limits the amount of power received to avoid lasting damage.

The Benefits of Having An Electric Car Charger at Home

Ease of use is easily one of the major selling points of installing a UK electric car charger at home.

You simply plug in and drive when you need to. Moreover, smart home chargers, like the Juicebox Smart EV Charger, have complete app control. This gives EV owners an additional layer of control — as long as they have an active internet connection.

We aren’t denying the benefits of visiting public charging hubs, but they can be a pain to get to. The thing about public charging stations is that they’ll only get busier in time as more EVs hit UK roads.

And it’s not like standard petrol stations where you’re in and out in only a few minutes. EV charging can take hours; it’s still cheaper than standard refuelling, though.

Nothing is stopping you from top-up charging either, aka, the act of striking the perfect balance between using your UK home charger and public hubs.

Initial installation costs aside, owning a home charger is the ultimate remedy to range anxiety.

Furthermore, it’s cheaper to charge at home than in public. That means you’ll save more money over time.

To summarise, the benefits to owning a home electric car charger include:

• Convenience is key, allowing you to charge whenever you like (.i.e overnight).
• Some UK car chargers are faster than some public spots.
• it’s cheaper per charge to do it at home than visiting a public hub.

How Much Does It Cost To Charge At Home?

UK buyers, generally, like saving money, which is why so many have already had home chargers installed.

Think about it, once installed, you only have to pay an electricity bill to keep your EV running. Those of you with solar panels can save a hell of a lot more money, too.

Now, we know this only applies to a select few reading this, which is why we’ve decided to break down the average costs of charging at home vs in public.

On average, you pay 14p per kWh, which would mean you’d pay £6 for a 13-hour charge with most vehicles. However, charging overnight is slightly cheaper as it’s considered an off-peak time — so you’d probably pay around £4 per charge.

That could nab you around 200 miles of range on average.

This cost does fluctuate depending on the electric car you own. A large capacity battery would take longer to charge, and therefore cost more.

Remember, most UK home chargers fit in that fast charging category.

Now let’s compare that to public charging.

Those who prefer visiting public hubs have multiple payment options to choose from. Like mobile phones, drivers can choose between pay-as-you-go and a contract-like subscription service.

BP Pulse, for example, are one of these companies, charging 18p per kWh. Alternately, UK drivers could pay £8 to gain access to their charging network and better rates. For those not signed up, you’d be paying 25p per kWh (on a rapid charger).

This is slightly more expensive, only you’re taking advantage of rapid charging, which happens to be a lot faster at giving your electric car some juice.

Convenience vs consistency; which is more important to you?

Choosing the Right Car Charger Is Essential

Most home electric car charging points need to be physically installed onto walls to be used; it’s why installation costs are so high.

You’re also paying for convenience, as charging from home lets you beat the rush of having to visit a public charging hub.

Some EV chargers out there simply plug into a wall outlet with no fuss. We’d recommend avoiding these types of chargers; however, owning a backup is never a bad idea should something happen to your home unit.

You can’t exactly carry your home unit around with you as it’s fixed to walls. But you could charge your car someplace else with a Type 2 charging cable.

Why should you avoid a Type 2 home UK charger?

Simple, they’re slow chargers (2.3kW on average). Meaning it could take over a day to give your car some juice. For example, if you own the Kia E-Niro, it will take almost 28 hours to fill up your car from flat.

Standard home chargers, on the other hand, fit that fast charging archetype. Allowing UK EV owners to simply leave their car on charge overnight — in the same way they would a phone — and have it ready the following day.

If you’d like to learn more about electric car charge times, be sure to check out the following guide; it’s a doozy.

Moreover, as stated, it’s also cheaper to charge an EV overnight in the UK!

In Short: How Much Does it Cost to Get an Electric Car Charger Installed?

There you have it, the question of how much does it cost to install an electric car charger in the UK has been solved!

Remember to take advantage of those government grants to take up to £750 off of the costs. Again, Scottish residents, you’re getting the best deal here.

According to the Go Ultra Low EV campaign — a campaign backed by the UK Gov — around 90% of car owners charge their rides at home.

Expect that number to increase tenfold as we creep closer to 2030.

That’s not to say that public charging hubs will become obsolete because of home chargers, either. Relax, companies like Fastned, BP Pulse and Osprey will still be there.

They’re all looking to expand in a big way over the next few years, in a bid to, eventually, replace petrol stations completely. In other words, electric car owners get the best of both worlds.

You EV drivers have home charging and public charging.

Beat that petrol cars.

Was any of this info helpful to you? Understand that although these costs are steep, they’ll save you a hell of a lot of money in the long run — especially for solar panel homes.

Installing Home Electric Car Chargers in the UK FAQs

Looking for more information before leaving us? In this final section, we’ll be breaking down some of your frequently asked questions.

UK buyers, this will no doubt come in handy when looking for the best home electric car chargers.

How much does it cost to install an electric car charger UK?

Without taking advantage of grants/incentives, you’d be expected to pay around £1,000 to install an electric car charger at home (depending on the charger). Understand that Type 1 (fast chargers) cost more to install than Type 2 chargers (slow chargers).

Can I get a grant for a car charging point?

You can take £350 off of this price using the UK’s Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme. Furthermore, Scottish residents have access to the Energy Saving Trust grant, netting you up to £400. You need to own an EV to apply for both schemes (obviously).

Can I install my own EV charging point UK?

It is possible to install your own EV charging point in the UK, but we’d advise against it. A lot can go wrong if you don’t know what you’re doing. Furthermore, you’d miss out on certain grants, as they ask that you seek the help of an OLEV-approved provider.

How much does it cost to install a Tesla charger UK?

Like most home charger installations, how much you pay depends on the company you choose. We’ve seen some sites charge £480, others £675. Can’t find an electrician near you? Check out Tesla’s on-site list of reputable electricians.

What’s the best home charger to buy?

In our opinion, most fast chargers (7kWh) are worth buying/installing. If we had to pick one, it would have to be Wallbox Pulsar Plus. This electric car charger is compact, complete with smart functionality and multiple system modes for your charging pleasure.

Martin Punter

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