Can you charge an electric car at home? Yes – and given that private cars are usually parked overnight, most electric car owners rely on EV charging at home to ensure that their electric car is ready for use each morning.
As well as being convenient, charging electric cars at home also has the advantage of being, in most cases, the cheapest time to recharge.
For information about EV charge points in the workplace, visit our guide to charging at work.
What EV home chargers are available?
More than 50 manufacturers provide charging units suitable for EV charging at home. Typically units are wall-mounted, and available either with a tethered Type 1 or Type 2 cable, which can be plugged straight into the car, or with a Type 2 socket for use with the vehicle’s charging cable.
Most suppliers provide two power rating options: 3 kW or 7 kW. Expect to pay more for the 7 kW option which reduces charge time significantly if the car has a fast on-board charger.
For example, a Nissan Leaf on a 3 kW EV home charger will provide a full charge in around 12-13 hours, whereas a 7 kW unit will give a full charge in around six hours.
How much do home EV chargers cost?
Cost of installing electric car charger at home
Prices vary depending on the EV home charger manufacturer and speed. Typically a 3 kW unit will cost between £250 and £500, while a 7 kW charge point will cost between £450 and £800 – though these costs are only guidelines and subject to change. It is worth remembering that new EV buyers may well be eligible for a discounted or free charge point as part of a manufacturer-backed perk. There also are EV-focused tariffs that offer similar schemes for electric car charging at home.
To work out the cost EV charging at home, Zapmap’s Home Charging Calculator calculates charging costs for any new or used plug-in vehicle. You can personalise the results for different electricity costs and the level of charge required to help you find the true costs of electric car charging at home.
