How can I charge my electric car at home?

Electric vehicles (EVs) are the future. For drivers who have already joined the green revolution ahead of the 2030 ban of new petrol and diesel cars, the lack of charging points around the UK can be a cause of much frustration.

Charging your electric car at home is however easier than you think. In this blog post, we provide an essential guide to at-home charging points as well as reveal the financial help currently available.

Around 80% of electric car charging already happens at home

According to the Energy Saving Trust, 80% of electric car charging already takes place at home. Most electric car owners use a home charger which is plugged into a standard three-pin socket to do the job, but installing a dedicated EV charge point is recommended.

Home chargers via a socket should be used only occasionally or in emergency situations. Home chargers are however a great portable charging solution if you are travelling away from home overnight.

The advantages of a dedicated EV charging point

An EV charging point provides a faster and more convenient way to charge your electric vehicle, especially when compared with a home charger plugged into a domestic socket, which is three times slower. This means less time waiting and more time enjoying your electric vehicle.

Dedicated electric charging points make your vehicle cheaper to run, and they’re perfect if you have a driveway or garage. Some EV charging points can be controlled remotely, so you can set automatic charging, monitor your electricity usage, and even discover cheaper, more suitable tariffs. EV charging points are much safer too.

Tethered or non-tethered – that is the question!

Choosing between a tethered and non-tethered charging point is one of the biggest dilemmas for those looking to install a dedicated EV charging point at home. A non-tethered charging point means the connectors can be detached at either end, just like your smartphone charger.

A tethered charger has a connector that’s permanently attached to the unit, similar to a fuel hose. A tethered cable is a more convenient, secure and quicker solution. Non-tethered cables can be detached and used at public charging points. They can also be removed so there are no trailing cables when you’re not charging your vehicle.

The cost of EV charging point installation

With a EV-friendly tariff, the cost of charging your electric vehicle at home will be much cheaper than charging it at a public point or fuelling a petrol/diesel vehicle, but what about installation?

Installing an at-home charging point costs approximately £1,000. The Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme (EVHS) however provides grants of up to 75% of the installation cost, but only if you opt for a smart charge point.

Selected vehicle manufacturers also provide free or discounted home charging point bundles when you buy or lease an electric vehicle.

To find out more about electric vehicle charge point installation, search for a specialist with Look4 Electricians.