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Why install a dedicated home charger?
Installing a home EV charger is one of the most practical upgrades for any electric vehicle owner. Charging at home is quicker, safer and more convenient than relying on public chargepoints or a standard three-pin plug. With the right set-up, you can wake up every morning to a charged car, ready for the day.
A dedicated home charger delivers higher power safely than a household socket. Most UK homes have a single-phase supply, so most home chargers are 7 kW; 22 kW chargers need a three-phase supply, which few homes have. A dedicated circuit also avoids running a heavy load through a socket for hours at a time. If you are still deciding which unit to buy, read our guide to choosing the best home EV charger for your UK house or compare EV home chargers. For prices, see EV charger installation costs in the UK.
Step 1: the survey
The installation begins with a survey, in person or from photos, which should cover:
- Your supply and maximum demand: the rating of the main fuse (cut-out) and whether the house can take a charger on top of existing loads such as electric showers, cookers or a heat pump. Load management (a current clamp that turns the charger down when the house is busy) often avoids a supply upgrade.
- Your consumer unit: whether it has space and suitable protection for a new circuit, or needs replacing.
- Earthing: many UK homes have a PME (TN-C-S) earth. BS 7671 Section 722 limits how a PME earth can be used for an outdoor charger, so the installer will either use a charger with built-in open-PEN protection or install a separate earth electrode.
- Charger position and cable route: off-street parking, distance from the consumer unit, and how the cable will be protected.
Step 2: permissions and notifications
- Network operator (DNO): your installer must tell your distribution network operator about the charger, usually through the Energy Networks Association's Connect Direct process. Where the home's maximum demand after installation is 60 A or less per phase, this is a notification within 28 days of installation. Above that, or if the demand would exceed the main fuse rating, the installer must apply first and wait for the DNO's response, which may include upgrading your main fuse or service cable.
- Part P (England): a new circuit for a charger is notifiable building work. A registered competent person can self-certify it, and you should receive a Building Regulations compliance certificate; otherwise it goes through building control before work starts.
- Planning: a wall-mounted charger in off-street parking is usually permitted development, but listed buildings and some other locations have limits. See do you need permission to install an EV charger at home?
Step 3: installation and smart set-up
The installer runs the cable, fits the charger and protection (including the right type of RCD, either in the consumer unit or built into the charger), seals and weatherproofs the installation, and sets up any smart features. Chargepoints sold for home use in Great Britain must meet the Electric Vehicles (Smart Charge Points) Regulations 2021. They must have smart functionality and come pre-set to charge outside the weekday peak periods of 8am to 11am and 4pm to 10pm, which you can override, plus a randomised delay. Most also have apps for scheduling charging on cheaper off-peak tariffs; our guide to chargers for smart energy tariffs explains the options. Many homeowners also link charging to solar panels and comparison services or pair it with energy-efficient lighting upgrades.
Step 4: testing and certification
Before handover, the circuit is tested to BS 7671:2018+A4:2026, the current IET Wiring Regulations, and you should receive an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC), the Part P compliance certificate where applicable, and the charger's commissioning details. Keep these with your home's paperwork; our guide to EV charger installation paperwork and safety standards explains each document.
Grants
The OZEV EV chargepoint grant for renters and flat owners is open until 31 March 2027. It covers 75% of the cost of buying and installing one socket, up to a maximum of £500. You can apply if you own and live in a flat, or rent and live in a residential property, and your home has its own private off-street parking space; you also need an eligible vehicle. It is not available if you own and live in a house (unless the house has been converted into flats and you live in one of them). You must use an OZEV-authorised installer and an eligible chargepoint, and the chargepoint must not be installed before OZEV confirms you are eligible. Landlords apply through a separate landlord chargepoint grant. See grants for electric chargers at home for details.
Compare installers
Professional installation matters: EV chargers draw a high current for long periods, outdoors, and must meet BS 7671, so a qualified electrician should design, install and certify the work. Submit your project and receive quotes from local electricians, compare options, warranties and prices, and choose the right installer. For an overview of the whole process, read install an EV charger at home: what you need to know, or call Kilowatts UK free on 0800 009 6058.