Are you considering installing a wall box for charging your electric car? There are a few things to think about if you've decided instead of using public charging stations to try a home EV charger. Your best bet is to do a bit of research first so to help with this, here are our top tips on having electric vehicle chargers at home.

Costs of a wallbox

The cost of a wallbox chargers for an electric car can vary depending on the brand, model, and features. On average, a basic level 2 home charging station can cost from £749, while more advanced and feature-rich options can cost more. It is best to compare and research different options to find the one that fits your needs and budget. The best price we've seen so far is from Go Zero. Click here to see their options. 

An ev-owners electrical panel wall charger for plug-in hybrids are a device that allows you to charge the battery of your plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) at home. These smart charger devices come in various types and sizes, with features such as adjustable charging speed, smart connectivity, and compatibility with various PHEV models. The cost of an electric wall charger for a plug-in hybrid car can range from a few hundred dollars for a basic Level 1 unit to several thousand dollars for a commercial-grade Level 2 charger.

Types of wall box

Electric car chargers are devices used to charge electric vehicles (EVs). They can be classified into two types: Level 1 and Level 2. Level 1 chargers use a standard 120-volt outlet and can take several hours charging time to refill a EV battery to full battery capacity while Level 2 chargers use a 220-240-volt outlet and can charge the battery in a shorter amount of time such as an hour of charging.

Wall-mounted Level 2 chargers, also known as wall boxes, are the most common type of home charger and can be installed in a garage or on the side of a building as outdoor installations which are more practical.

Some EVs come with a mobile charging cable with a decent cord length, that can be used with any standard outlet, while others have built-in charging ports that can be used with specialized charging stations. The cost of electric car chargers can range from a few hundred dollars for a basic Level 1 unit to several thousand dollars for a commercial-grade Level 2 charger. Essentially, the varying voltage is to show how much power is coming into the car at any time and this effects the charge time. 

Cost of charging your vehicle

The total cost of electricity for electric cars can vary depending on a number of factors, including the cost of electricity in your area, your electricity provider, the size of your vehicle's battery, how many times you decide to have charging sessions and your driving habits.

On average, it costs between £12-17 to a full charge an electric car battery, which is equivalent to paying about 35 pence per kilowatt-hour (kWh). This is often significantly less than the cost of petrol, and charging an electric car at home is typically much cheaper than charging at a public charging station. To get a more accurate estimate of the cost of electricity for your electric car, you can check your local electricity rates and calculate the average number of kilowatt-hours you use per month.

A home electric charging station is a device that allows you to charge your electric vehicle (EV) at home using a 220-240V outlet. These charging stations, also known as wall boxes, are faster and more convenient than using a standard 120V outlet. They come in various types and sizes, with features such as adjustable charging speed, smart connectivity, and compatibility with various EV models. Installing a home charging station typically requires a professional electrician, and the cost can range from several hundred to several thousand dollars, depending on the type and features.

Having a home charging station can provide several benefits, such as convenient and efficient charging, potentially reduced charging costs, and increased driving range. It can also make owning an electric car a more practical and appealing option for many people.

Installation 

Professional installation of an EV wall box charger typically involves hiring a licensed electrician to assess your home's electrical system, choose the appropriate charger and accessories, cable lengths and perform the installation. The cost of professional installation will vary depending on the type of charger, the complexity of the installation, and your location. The average cost professional installation of a basic model EV wall box charger can cost around £320 not including the cost of the charger itself. The average price for the charger itself is from £749. These are the current prices we've found at Go Zero which are the most reasonable we've found so far. 

Having a professional install your EV wall box charger ensures that the installation is done correctly and safely, and can help avoid potential issues with your home's electrical system. In addition, some manufacturers may require professional installation to validate the warranty on their products. 

Book a call or installation here.

Having a home charging station can provide several benefits, such as convenient and efficient charging, potentially reduced charging costs, and increased driving range. It can also make owning a PHEV a more practical and appealing option for many people. Before purchasing and installing an electric wall charger for your PHEV, it is important to check the specifications of your vehicle to determine the appropriate charger and installation requirements.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs) related to electric car charging:

How Long Does It Take to Charge an Electric Car?

• Understand the approximate charging times for different charging levels and battery sizes.

Can I Charge My Electric Car with Renewable Energy Sources?

• Explore options for integrating solar panels or other renewable energy sources into your charging setup.

Are There Any Discounts or Subsidies for Electric Car Charging?

• Check for government incentives, rebates, or discounts for EV charging infrastructure.

How much does it cost to drive 100 miles in an electric car UK?

• One of the key benefits is the cost to fill up. With the average UK electricity price sitting at around 30p per kWh and if you assume an electric car will travel 3.5 miles per kWh on average, to travel 100 miles would cost around £8.50 or 8.5p per mile.

Should I charge my electric car every night?

• In general, you should not charge your electric car every night. It isn't necessary in most cases.

Is there road tax on electric cars in 2024?

• Electric cars currently qualify for free car tax. You still need to obtain car tax when you buy an electric vehicle and renew it every 12 months but you will pay nothing for this process. Free VED for electric cars will end in 2025 and they will be charged at the standard road tax rate.

How much does electric car charger add to house value?

• Using a home charging system, you might increase the selling price by up to 30% over the local area average. 

Do electric cars need an MOT?

• The answer is yes. In line with UK regulations all cars, including electric vehicles, must have an MOT every year (if over 3 years old) to ensure they are safe to drive on UK roads.

Charging at Work: How to get an EV charge point for your office?

• For employees, charging at work can be a convenient way to recharge an EV whilst parked during the day. From a business point of view, having a charge point at the workplace will become increasingly important as a facility for employees and visitors, while for businesses with an EV fleet it can be an essential operating factor.

Similar to the EV Chargepoint Grant, the Government offers businesses, charities and public sector organisations that meet applicant and site eligibility criteria financial support to have charge points installed at their premises under the Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS).

The grant covers up to 75% of the total costs of the purchase and installation of EV charge points (inclusive of VAT), capped at a maximum of £350 per socket, up to a maximum of 40 sockets across all sites per applicant. If you would like to install them in 40 sites, for instance, you will have one socket available per site.

Funded by the Government’s Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV), the WCS provides a grant for businesses to reduce the cost of having an EV charge point installed at their premises.

The grant allows businesses, charities, and local authorities to claim 75% of the total cost of installation, up to a maximum of £350 per socket installed, and with a maximum of 40 sockets across all sites for each applicant. Firms based in the United Kingdom (exc. Channel Islands and Isle of Man) can claim and don’t necessarily need a plug-in vehicle on the company’s books.

The charge points are required to have a need declared for them on application, which could include: existing EV fleet vehicles, to add an incentive for the uptake of plug-in vehicles with staff, to provide a charging solution for visitors, or to charge EVs planned to be purchased by the business. Charging for customers (where applicable) is not eligible for WCS funding.

Standard three-pin sockets are not eligible for funding, and the EV charge points can only be fitted by accredited OZEV installers. These must provide a minimum of 3 kW, with the supply not diminished by charging multiple vehicles simultaneously. Companies cannot claim for existing EV charging points, as the grant is available only for new charge points yet to be installed. The company also has to have dedicated off-street parking for staff, visitors or fleet use.

More details on the WCS can be found on the OZEV website.

 Customer and visitor electric cars will have different charging connectivity needs, so it is important to install a charging point most likely to be compatible with the widest range of vehicles possible. The most common workplace installation is a wall-mounted Type 2 7kW charger, which is compatible with most of the best-selling electric vehicles and can charge a vehicle fully in around 3-7 hours, depending on model. Some businesses may wish to install a faster 22kW unit or even a rapid charger if cost and space allow. See our charging basics page for more info on different charging points.

Most workplace installations select wall-mounted units as they are typically cheaper to install. The alternative is a post, which are good options but usually have higher installation costs due to the need to get the electricity to the post under the ground.

For businesses that plan to install charge points in areas that are publicly accessible, it is essential to consider access requirements. Most charge point manufacturers offer units that can be accessed with either a key or RFID card to prevent unwanted usage.

The majority of manufacturers offer some form of back-office support to report on energy use, charge point use and CO2 impact. The level of assistance varies and can usually be tailored as a package for the company buying the service, from basic maintenance to full network support.

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