The right home EV charger for you

Published on 11 May 2026

The shift to electric vehicles (EVs) is well underway in the UK, and for many, the convenience of charging at home is a game-changer. But with a growing number of options, choosing the best home EV charger can feel daunting. From power outputs to smart features and government grants, there's a lot to consider. This guide cuts through the complexity, helping UK homeowners find the ideal EV charger for their needs, ensuring a smooth installation, and crucially, showing you how to keep running costs low.

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Key considerations for choosing your home EV charger

Power output, cable type and smart features explained

When searching for the best home EV charger in the UK, understanding the core specifications is vital. Most UK homes will opt for a 7kW charger, which is compatible with standard single-phase electricity supplies and can typically add around 30 miles of range per hour. While 22kW chargers offer faster charging, they usually require a three-phase electricity supply, which is uncommon in residential properties.

Next, consider the cable type: tethered or untethered. A tethered charger has a cable permanently attached, offering convenience as you don't need to get your car's cable out every time. An untethered charger, on the other hand, allows you to use your car's own charging cable, offering more flexibility if you have different EVs or prefer a tidier look.

Finally, smart features are non-negotiable. All new home EV chargers sold in Great Britain must include smart functionality, enabling scheduled charging. This is mandated by the Electric Vehicles (Smart Charge Points) Regulations 20211, which came into force in June 2022. These regulations ensure chargers can send and receive information, respond to signals for demand side response, and offer a user interface for control. They also require pre-set off-peak default charging hours, which the owner can override. This means you can control your charging via an app, set schedules, and monitor energy usage. These smart capabilities are key to unlocking significant savings, as we'll explore later.

Navigating EV charger installation and OZEV grants in the UK

Securing your OZEV EV Chargepoint Grant

Installing an EV charger at home is a significant step, and the UK government offers support to make it more affordable. The OZEV EV Chargepoint Grant provides up to £500 towards the cost of purchasing and installing a home charge point for eligible applicants2. This renters and flat owners grant is specifically for homeowners who live in a flat or those in rented properties, provided they have private off-street parking and own an eligible vehicle3. It's crucial to check the latest eligibility criteria on the government's website, as requirements can change. Remember, the grant requires using an OZEV-approved charge point and an OZEV-authorised installer. Fuse Energy is an OZEV-approved installer.

Professional installation: what UK homeowners need to know

Once you've chosen your best home EV charger, professional installation is paramount. This isn't a DIY job; it requires a qualified, certified electrician to ensure safety and compliance with UK electrical safety standards (BS 7671). Your property may required a site survey to assess your home's electrical capacity, determine the best location for the charger, and ensure appropriate earthing arrangements. Getting multiple quotes from OZEV-approved installers is a smart move to compare costs and services.

Maximising savings: the role of smart tariffs in home EV charging

How smart tariffs and Fuse Energy can cut your EV charging costs

The true cost-effectiveness of home EV charging comes not just from the charger itself, but from how you power it. This is where smart tariffs come into their own. These energy tariffs offer cheaper electricity rates during off-peak hours, typically overnight. By combining a smart EV charger with a smart tariff, you can schedule your car to charge when electricity is cheapest, drastically cutting your running costs. This makes even the best cheap home EV charger UK more economical.

At Fuse Energy, we understand that managing your home's energy, including your EV charging, is crucial for your budget. We sell and install the Easee One EV charger, which customers can purchase through the Fuse app or website for a base cost of £899, including full installation and a 3-year warranty. We also specialise in providing smart energy tariffs designed to help UK homeowners with electric vehicles significantly reduce their electricity bills. Our EV tariff is a dual-rate variable tariff with off-peak rates applied from midnight to 5 am, and these lower rates apply to your entire household usage during that window, not just EV charging. Our tariffs enable you to leverage your smart charger's features, ensuring you charge during those cheaper, off-peak periods. We also provide accurate and transparent billing for all your energy consumption, helping you monitor and manage your expenditure effectively within your overall home energy budget.

By choosing the right EV charger and pairing it with a smart energy tariff, you're not just buying a device; you're investing in a smarter, more affordable way to power your electric vehicle. Switching to Fuse Energy is quick and easy, often taking as little as 3 minutes, and our 24/7 human support team is always on hand to help. Click here to switch to Fuse Energy today and take control of your energy bills. You can also learn more about our mission to make energy simpler and greener by clicking here.

References

1. legislation.gov.uk. The Electric Vehicles (Smart Charge Points) Regulations 2021.
2. GOV.UK. Electric vehicle chargepoint grants.
3. GOV.UK. Electric Vehicle Chargepoint Grant for Households with On-Street Parking.