EV home charging: options, costs, and grants

Setting up an electric vehicle (EV) home charging point in the UK offers significant convenience and can drastically reduce your running costs compared to relying solely on public infrastructure. This guide will walk you through the options, costs, installation process, and available grants for smart home EV charging, helping you make informed decisions.

Managing your home energy, including EV charging, should be straightforward. Fuse Energy offers smart tariffs designed to help you charge your EV when electricity is cheapest and most abundant, putting you in control of your energy bills. Click here to see how easy it is to switch to Fuse Energy.

Understanding EV home charging

Charging your EV at home transforms how you power your vehicle, moving from opportunistic public charging to a routine that fits your lifestyle. It is about taking control of your energy use.

Why charge your EV at home?

Home EV charging provides unparalleled convenience; simply plug in overnight and wake up to a fully charged car. Beyond convenience, it offers potential cost savings. Public rapid chargers often come with higher per-kilowatt-hour (kWh) rates, whereas home charging, especially when optimised with smart tariffs, can be significantly cheaper. It also gives you greater control over your charging schedule and energy consumption.

Types of home EV chargers

Home EV chargers primarily fall into two categories:

• Slow chargers: These typically use a standard 3-pin plug socket, providing around 3kW of power. While they are the slowest option, adding approximately 8-10 miles of range per hour, they require no special installation.
• Fast chargers: This is the most common type of dedicated home charger, typically offering 7kW of power. A 7kW unit can add approximately 25-30 miles of range per hour of charging, making it suitable for overnight top-ups for most drivers. Installation requires a dedicated circuit by a qualified electrician.
• Rapid chargers: While 22kW chargers are available, they are less common for domestic use as they require a three-phase electricity supply, which most UK homes do not have. Their installation costs are also considerably higher.

The choice depends on your vehicle's charging capabilities, daily driving needs, and home's electrical supply. Most modern EVs can handle 7kW alternating current (AC) charging, making it a practical and efficient home solution.

The cost of home EV charging

Understanding the financial aspects of home EV charging involves more than just the electricity bill; it includes installation, grants, and how you manage your energy.

How much does it cost to charge an electric car?

The average cost to fully charge an electric car at home in the UK can range from £10 to £20, depending on the battery size and your electricity tariff. For context, the average UK home uses around 2,500 kWh of electricity per year. Charging an EV adds significantly to this, making tariff choice crucial.

Factors affecting charging costs

Several factors influence the total cost of charging your EV at home:

• Electricity tariff: Standard flat-rate tariffs can be more expensive than tariffs designed for EVs or those with off-peak rates.
• Battery size: Larger EV batteries require more kWh to charge fully, increasing the cost.
• Charging habits: Frequent charging, or charging during peak hours, will lead to higher costs.
• Charger efficiency: While generally high, some chargers are marginally more efficient than others.

Smart tariffs and maximising savings

Smart energy tariffs, particularly those with time-of-use rates, are key to significantly reducing charging costs. These tariffs offer cheaper electricity during off-peak hours, typically overnight, when demand on the grid is lower. By scheduling your EV to charge during these periods, you can take advantage of more abundant and cheaper energy. This approach transforms charging from a fixed expense into an opportunity for savings, giving you more power to play with. You can learn more about these options in our guide to electric vehicle tariffs explained.

EV charger installation in the UK

Installing a home EV charger involves a clear process and potential financial assistance.

The installation process explained

The installation of a home EV charger must be carried out by an Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) authorised installer. The process typically involves:

1. Site survey: An electrician assesses your home's electrical system and parking area to determine the best location and ensure compatibility.
2. Quote: You will receive a quote for the charger unit and installation costs.
3. Installation: The installer fits the chargepoint, connects it to your consumer unit, and tests it thoroughly. This usually takes a few hours.
4. Certification: You will receive an Electrical Installation Certificate, confirming the work meets safety standards.

Government grants for home chargepoints

The UK government offers OZEV EV Chargepoint Grants to help with the cost of installing a home charger, subject to specific eligibility criteria.

The EV Chargepoint Grant for renters and flat owners provides up to £500 towards installing a chargepoint at the property. This is available if you own and live in a flat, or rent any residential property, and have private off-street parking.

The EV Chargepoint Grant for households with on-street parking also provides up to £500 towards installing a chargepoint. You must own or rent the property, only have on-street parking, and be installing a cross-pavement solution (e.g. a charging gully).

Owner-occupiers in a house with private off-street parking are not eligible for any current domestic chargepoint grant. Customers must apply for these grants themselves via the GOV.UK website; the installer's role begins only after the application is approved.

Finding an approved installer

All home chargepoint installations must be carried out by an installer authorised by OZEV. You can find a list of approved installers on the UK government's website. Obtaining quotes from several authorised installers is recommended to compare prices and services.

Smart charging and the Fuse app

Smart charging goes beyond simply plugging in your car; it is about optimising when and how you charge to save money and manage your home energy more effectively.

Benefits of smart charging

Smart charging allows your EV to communicate with your energy supplier or a dedicated app to schedule charging sessions. This means:

• Cost savings: Automatically charges your vehicle during off-peak hours when electricity is cheaper.
• grid stability: Helps balance the National Grid by shifting demand away from peak times.
• Convenience: Set your desired charge level and departure time, and the system handles the rest.
• Environmental impact: Utilises energy when renewable generation is high and demand is low, contributing to a greener energy system.

Controlling your charging with the Fuse app

The Fuse app provides seamless control over your charging schedules and monitoring. It integrates EV charging with your overall home energy management, allowing you to optimise for maximum savings and convenience. You can set charging preferences, track your consumption, and ensure your EV is powered up when energy is cheapest and most abundant. This gives you the capability to manage your energy use with precision. If you have a smart meter, the app can also help you with how to read your smart meter to keep track of your usage.

Addressing common home charging challenges

While home EV charging is largely straightforward, some common concerns can be easily addressed.

Charging an EV without a driveway

One common challenge for UK EV owners is charging without a private driveway or dedicated parking space. While more complex, solutions are emerging:

• Lamp post chargers: Some local authorities are installing chargepoints integrated into street furniture like lamp posts.
• Gully chargers: These innovative solutions involve discreet charging points that retract into the pavement, accessible via a permit.
• Public charging networks: If home charging is not feasible, relying on public charging networks near your home or workplace becomes necessary. Consider subscribing to a network for better rates.
• Workplace charging: If available, workplace charging can be a convenient alternative.

It is worth checking with your local council for initiatives in your area that support on-street EV charging.

Troubleshooting home charger issues

Most home charger issues are minor and can be resolved with simple steps. If your charger is not working:

• Check the power supply: Ensure the charger is properly plugged in and the circuit breaker has not tripped.
• Inspect cables: Look for any visible damage to the charging cable or connector.
• Restart the charger: Often, a simple restart (unplugging and re-plugging, or using a reset button) can resolve temporary glitches.
• Consult the app: Your charger's accompanying app may provide diagnostic information or error codes.
• Contact installer/manufacturer: For persistent issues, contact your OZEV-authorised installer or the charger manufacturer for support. Fuse Energy also offers 24/7 human customer support for any charging-related queries or issues, providing peace of mind.

Making the switch to smart home EV charging

Embracing smart home EV charging is a strategic move that aligns with a future of energy abundance.

Choosing the right charger and tariff

To make an informed choice, assess your daily driving needs and your EV's charging capabilities. Research different types of home EV chargers, focusing on smart features that allow for scheduled charging and integration with energy management systems. Crucially, select an energy tariff that is optimised for EV charging, ideally a smart time-of-use tariff, to maximise your savings. Do not forget to check your eligibility for government grants, such as the EV Chargepoint Grant for renters and flat owners or the EV Chargepoint Grant for households with on-street parking, to offset installation costs.

Fuse Energy's support for EV owners

Fuse Energy facilitates the home charger installation process, offering the Easee One EV charger including installation for £899, which covers full installation (up to 15m of cabling), surge protection, and a 3-year warranty. As an OZEV-approved installer, Fuse ensures a professional setup. By offering smart tariffs, Fuse enables EV owners to charge when energy is cheapest and most abundant, transforming charging into a money-saving opportunity. The Fuse app provides seamless control over charging schedules and monitoring, integrating EV charging with overall home energy management. With 24/7 human customer support, Fuse ensures that EV owners have peace of mind regarding any charging-related queries or issues, allowing you to maximise energy usage and savings.

Ready to take control of your EV charging and home energy? Switch to Fuse Energy today for smart tariffs, real-time usage data, and 24/7 human support. Our quick online sign-up process makes it easy to get started. Click here to switch to Fuse Energy and discover a smarter way to power your home and EV. You can also find out more about our mission to create a sustainable energy future by clicking here.