If you are thinking about buying an EV wall charger for your home, here are six things you should know.

As technology allows for better batteries and increased distance between charges, more and more people are seeing electric vehicles as a  viable option. This has led to an increase in people investing in EV wall chargers for their homes. Indeed, from this year, all new-build homes must have an EV charger fitted by the developer, by law.

While fitting an EV charger at home might pose challenges for those living in apartments or homes with no off-street parking, those with a driveway, garage or other form of off-street parking have a number of choices when it comes to charging an electric vehicle at home. 

For homeowners looking into installing an EV wall charger at their home, there are six key things you need to know.

1. Choose a NICEIC approved installer

Be sure you only choose to work with an installer that is NICEIC (National Inspection Council for Electrical Installation Contracting) approved. This ensures that your chosen installer has completed all the training and certification necessary for this task.

2, Understand the ‘tethered’ v ‘untethered’ option

A tethered wall charger comes with with the charging wire attached. This then plugs straight into the charging point on your electric vehicle. This of course has certain advantages to the homeowner, namely the convenience and ease of charging. However, a drawback is that these are less attractive, visually, as there is a permanent wire hanging from the charging point.

An untethered wall charger is one that comes with a standard plug, into which the homeowner runs their own charging wire, as supplied by the manufacturer of the electric vehicle to be charged. The benefit of an untethered charging point is that it is easily adaptable to any new technology, as the only part that would need replacing if a new EV is purchased that requires a different plug-in format would be the wire. A drawback is that you need to store the charging wire somewhere convenient, such as the boot of your car or garage, and if it gets lost or damaged will cost upwards of £100 to replace.

3. Know your charging speeds

Some EV wall chargers will charge your electric vehicle faster than others, and this has a direct impact on the price of the chargepoint you choose. A standard charger will charge your electric vehicle at around 3 to 3.5kw. Others will achieve around 7kw, while the top end of the price scale chargepoints can achieve up to 22kw. Which you choose is entirely up to you, so be sure to discuss the options and prices with your chosen installer.

4. Check that your installer offers a maintenance or call-out facility

Not all electricians are qualified to fit or repair EV wall chargers. It’s important that you choose an installer that can resolve any issues with your EV wall charger should they arise.

5. Aesthetics v cost

There are multiple EV wall charger options a homeowner can choose from, some more aesthetically pleasing than others, and these of course vary in size and price. When you have chosen the location for your charger, your chosen installer will be able to measure and advise on your options.

6. You may be eligible for a government grant towards the cost of an EV wall charger at home

Sadly, from April 2022, the Government funded Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme (EVHS), which paid a grant of up to 75% of the cost of fitting an EV wall charger  will no longer be open to homeowners who live in single-unit properties such as bungalows, detached, semi-detached or terraced housing., though the scheme will remain open to homeowners who live in flats and to people in rented accommodation.

However, the landscape is changing continuously. Ask your chosen installer what the current situation is with claiming a grant, and that they are approved to do so via the Government body, OZEV – Office for Zero Emission Vehicles. Your installer must be approved by OZEV for you to be able to claim any grants available.