If you're considering a new electric car, you'll likely need to book an EV charger installation if you haven't already got one in place.
While new homes will have to have an EV charger fitted as standard in the future, adding one to an existing property feels like it could be a pretty major job – but is it that complicated?
If the world of electric charging is new to you, we asked experts to explain what you should prepare for, what happens on the day, and how to make sure your EV installation runs smoothly.
What to do prior to an EV installation
Once you've chosen your new electric car, you'll then need to establish which is the right charger for your car, and your type of home. While the car dealership (if you have bought a new car) may be able to offer advice, if you've purchased a car second-hand, Andy Pattison, VP of renewable technology at Zuno, a BOXT subsidiary, offers some general tips.
"The right charger really comes down to your car, your home and how you plan to use it. Things like how quickly you want to charge, how often you'll be charging and whether you'd prefer a tethered charger with a built-in cable or an untethered one that gives you more flexibility if you change vehicles, all play a part," he says.
"A specialist installer, such as BOXT, will also make sure the charger is compatible with your vehicle so you're choosing the best option for your setup," Andy notes.
Think carefully about where you want to locate your EV charger
Choosing the right charger also means thinking about where it will be located on the exterior of your home, garage or any type of outbuilding. Location will impact not just how easy it is to access and use, but also how much work is involved in actually installing it.
"Every home is different, but the aim is usually to install the charger as close as possible to where you park, and your home's electrical panel," says Andy Pattison. "This helps keep the wiring tidy, reduces the amount of cable needed and can also help keep installation costs down.
"A standard installation includes up to five metres of cabling, routed through a wall where needed," he advises. "And, if you choose an untethered charger, it's also worth thinking about where you'll keep the charging cable when you're not using it."
As Laura Crombie, Homebuilding & Renovating's content director notes, in 4 things I wish I knew before I installed an EV charger, don't forget to think ahead too. Will you be changing your driveway design at any point in the future? If so, will you still park in the same spot?
Don't forget to check your Wi-Fi signal too
Where you locate your EV charger may also be influenced by the mobile signal in your area. When I purchased an electric car a few years ago, the local signal was really weak. It meant I had to locate the EV charger closer to the house so that it could pick up on the boosted Wi-Fi connection.
Andy Pattison confirms this can impact many homeowners who are looking to install EV chargers and perhaps underestimate that a charger needs more than just an electricity supply to work.
"Most smart EV chargers need a reliable Wi-Fi connection or a good 4G signal so they can access features like remote charging, scheduling and energy monitoring," he explains. "Therefore, before installation, it's worth checking that your Wi-Fi reaches the charger location, as you may need a Wi-Fi booster if the signal is weak.'
Try these Wi-Fi boosters if your EV charger needs a better connection
Pair this extender with a OneMesh router to help eliminate any weak Wi-Fi spots in your home to help extend your coverage
Offering easy set-up, this Wi-Fi extender simply plugs in, connects to any Wi-Fi router and allows you to connect up to 20 devices to it at any one time
Andy has over 40 years of experience in the heating and renewable energy industries.
What to expect from a site assessment
With your charger and location chosen, and your mobile or Wi-Fi signal checked, it's now time to call in the professionals to ensure that what you want is possible, and more importantly, that your electricity supply is sufficient to power an EV charger.
If you live in a newly built home where you already know there is sufficient supply, or that you won't need to upgrade to three-phase electricity for your EV charger as it's already in place, you might even be able to skip a site assessment and opt for a super-quick install instead.
"Getting an EV charger installed can be quicker than most people expect," says Phil Gilbert, director of Net Zero Delivery at E.ON Next. "It starts with a short online quote, including a few questions about your home, some photos of where you want the charger and where your car is usually parked.
"If everything looks suitable, order before 3pm and we can have an installer out as soon as the next working day," he says, "or you can pick a date that suits you better."
But, if you do need a site assessment first, Andy Pattison says it's still a relatively simple process and is put in place to, "make sure everything is suitable and flag if any upgrades are needed before installation.
"An experienced electrician will assess your property's electrical system to check that your electrical system can handle the extra demand, make sure there's enough capacity and identify the best place to install the charger based on where you park and where your electrical panel is. And, if anything needs upgrading beforehand, they'll flag that too," he explains.
Once your home is identified as suitable, it's then simply a case of confirming your installation date.
Phil Gilbert leads net zero delivery at E.ON Next, making new energy work for households across the UK - from solar and battery storage to EV charging.
The insallation process should take around half a day
Although it's not a quick 20-minute job, an EV charger installation probably takes less time than you think – and you won't necessarily be left without power for hours either.
"Once the installation date arrives, fitting a standard home EV charger usually takes no more than half a day," confirms Andy Pattison, caveating this with saying that this will obviously vary if any extra electrical work is needed.
But, if it is a standard install, Phil Gilbert explains what to expect. "The engineer runs a cable from your consumer unit to the charger, fits an isolator switch and earthing spike and adds surge protection where needed.
“Power only goes off for the time it takes to connect into the consumer unit, usually a matter of minutes, not hours," he continues. "Every install also includes a check with the District Network Operator (DNO) and if your home needs more capacity, the DNO deals with the upgrade directly," continues Phil. "Then, before the installer leaves, they test the charger against your car and register the warranty."
Both experts confirm that you should also receive a thorough explanation of how your EV charger works, including connecting it to the app and talking you through the main features.
Once it's installed, it's then simply a case of plugging in your car and letting it charge.
"How long it takes to charge your car depends on both the charger and the vehicle," says Andy, "but a typical Level 2 home charger can fully charge most cars in around one to eleven hours, which is why many people plug in overnight."
FAQs
Do I need to change my electricity tariff when I install an EV charger?
With every homeowner keen to save on energy bills, the general advice from both our experts is that switching to an EV tariff makes sense if you are installing an EV charger.
"Pairing it with the right tariff is what makes the difference," says Phil Gilbert. "On our Next Drive Smart tariff for example, charging smart overnight at 8p/kWh could save £435 a year compared with a standard variable tariff*, just by letting the car charge itself while you are sleep.”
"It's well worth taking a look at your electricity tariff before your charger is installed, as it can make a big difference to your running costs," agrees Andy Pattison. "Many energy suppliers now offer dedicated EV tariffs with cheaper overnight rates, making home charging much more affordable. If you're looking to make your driving even greener, it's also worth considering a renewable energy tariff," he suggests.
Does my EV charger need to be certified?
The simple answer is yes. Andy Pattison explains why.
"It's important that an EV charger is installed by a fully qualified, experienced electrician who can carry out the work safely and in line with the relevant electrical regulations. Once the installation has been completed and tested, you'll then receive certification from the relevant industry body, such as NAPIT or NICEIC, depending on who the installer is registered with, confirming that the installation meets the required standards."
What can delay an EV installation?
"There are a few things that can hold up an installation," says Andy Pattison. "If you're renting, you'll need your landlord's permission before any work can go ahead. Your home's electrical system also needs to have enough capacity for an EV charger and, in some cases, upgrades may be needed first.
"Having suitable parking and a good Wi-Fi connection for a smart charger will also help things run smoothly," he says. "On the day itself, unexpected electrical work or any unforeseen issues with the property could mean the installation takes a little longer than planned."
What can increase costs for an EV charger installation?
With average costs for an EV charger and installation ranging from £899 - £1,300 at BOXT, and with a starting price of £1,272 at E.ON Next, you'll want to make sure you don't receive any additional or unexpected increases. While most installs with the right pre-assessment checks should run smoothly, Andy Pattison explains what could impact your final bill.
"One of the biggest factors is your home's electrical system," he says. "If your electrical panel needs upgrading before the charger can be installed, that will add to the overall cost. The location of the charger also makes a difference as installing it further away from the electrical panel usually means more cabling and additional labour. It's also worth checking whether you're eligible for any EV charger grants or incentives in advance as these can help reduce the upfront cost."
It's also important not to assume you can't install an EV charger at home if you don't have off-street parking. While this was previously the only way to install one without planning permission (most installs fall under permitted development), this could all be changing soon.
New rules are being proposed to unlock EV charger installation for homes with on-street parking. While it would remove the need for planning approval, consent would still be required from the local highways authority. Nonetheless, it brings the prospect of EV charger installation closer to many homeowners across the UK.
* Tariff saving calculations assume an electric vehicle driving 8,000 miles a year at 3.33 miles per kilowatt, charging 8p per kWh during off-peak Next Drive Smart V6.6 tariff hours; compared to charging at 26.110p/kWh (national average and will vary by region) standard variable tariff rate from 1st July 2026, which is equivalent to £435 saved or a saving of up to 69.36%. T&Cs apply.
