If you’re thinking about driving an electric vehicle (EV), you’re in good company.
EVs are rising in popularity. More than half - 54% - of potential car buyers are considering one, up from 49% in 2022, according to EY’s latest Mobility Consumer Index.
This growth in demand means adding an EV charging point to your home could only be seen as a positive move.
According to The National Association of Property Buyers, installing one could boost your home’s value by up to £5,000.
And since some electricity providers will install them for free, it’s an instant win-win.
Tempted? Here’s what you need to know.
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Electric car charging at home
First of all, it’s convenient. With a charging point installed at home, you can power up your EV when it suits you. You can charge your car while you sleep and set off in the morning with it fully-charged.
While the price of energy fluctuates, it’s considered to be generally cheaper to charge your EV at home than at a public charging point.
You can charge an EV through a regular three-point electric plug socket. But this should be for an emergency or occasional use, says the RAC. A charging point specifically for EVs is widely recommended. Why?
A dedicated EV charger can be more efficient for starters. According to E.ON Next, a 2.4 kW three-point plug can charge an EV in 18.3 hours, while its 7.4 kW wall-mounted home charger can power one up in six hours.
That’s more than three times faster than a standard wall socket. These figures are based on charging a Tesla model 3 with a battery capacity of up to 50kWh.
With interest in EVs growing, installing a charging point could potentially boost your property’s appeal if you sell it in future.
Battery and hybrid EVs now make up more than half of all new cars sold. Meanwhile, fully electric car sales have jumped by 70% in the last year, according to the government in June 2022.
That said, it may not always be feasible to install an EV charger at home. This could be the case if you don’t have off-street parking, for example.
Is it worth installing a home car charging point?
Charging points can power up EVs at different rates. Zapmap, the EV charging app, outlines four main speeds: slow, fast, rapid, and ultra-rapid.
You may also see EV charging points given a ‘level’ of one to three, which points to how fast they can charge. The higher the level, the faster the charge, with level 2 being the mid-range.
Like all investments, it’s important to look at the details to see what will suit your particular needs and budget before reaching into your wallet. For more details, Zapmap’s breakdown of EV charging connector types is handy.
Does an electric car increase your electricity bill?
If you charge your EV at home, you can expect your electricity costs to rise.
Your bill will depend on a variety of factors, including the type of EV you have as well as how often you charge it. But there are ways to keep your costs down.
It’s a good idea to regularly review the market to make sure you’re getting best value for money. You could save £300 a year by switching to a cheap fixed-rate energy tariff of £0.14/kWh (14p per kWh), according to the Energy Saving Trust.
Investigate off-peak tariffs where you can tap into cheaper electricity at particular times, normally during the night. Look out for EV energy tariffs intended for EV owners too.
And if you get a smart home charger, you can make the most of the latest tech to use electricity more efficiently. You can control the charger remotely and monitor your energy use, for example.
The RAC points out that a smart home charge point like theirs automatically picks the cheapest time to power your EV.
It provides electricity at 6p per kWh between 12am and 5am every day compared with the UK average rate of 14p, the RAC adds.
How much does it cost to have an electric charging point fitted?
The price of an electric charging point depends on the model you choose. The typical cost of an EV charger with installation is roughly £1,000, according to Checkatrade. But prices and deals vary so it’s worth shopping around.
Look out for wider EV packages too. Octopus’s EV leasing package, for example, includes a free home charger installed by one of its engineers as well as 4,000 free miles, breakdown cover, servicing, maintenance and repairs, as well as replacement tyres.
As always, it’s important to study the small print to make sure the package is a good fit for you.
You may be eligible for the government’s EV chargepoint grant. It offers either £350 or 75% - whichever amount is lower - off the price of buying and installing a charging point at home.
There are EV chargepoint and infrastructure grants for landlords too.
Where is the best place to install an electric car charger?
You can install EV chargers in a variety of places at home, such as in a garage or driveway.
Wherever you install it, make sure that you can park your EV in a convenient and safe spot for charging. You’ll need to think about where the ‘charge port’ is located on your EV. Check that the cable can reach your EV and that it isn’t a tripping hazard.
Install the charging point in an area with a strong Wifi signal to make the most of ‘smart’ home charging. You may also want to consider what would look best from an aesthetics perspective.
We always recommend getting professional advice before you crack on with an installation.
What are the advantages of a home car charging point?
It is convenient
It’s likely to be cheaper to power your EV at home than rely on public charging points
There’s a range of charging point models available, enabling you to pick one that best suits your needs
With interest in EVs on the rise, it could make your home more attractive to buyers in future, potentially adding £5,000 to the value of your home.
What are the disadvantages of a home car charging point?
The upfront cost of buying and installing a charging point at home, though you may be able to bring the price down with a grant or package
Your electricity bills will almost inevitably increase. That said, it’s well worth plotting out the long-term cost of owning or leasing an EV versus a petrol or diesel car
It may not be feasible if, for example, you don’t have off-street parking.