Charging an electric vehicle (EV) is a whole new world compared to filling up at the petrol station, but it’s simpler than you might think.
- 1. How Much Does It Cost to Install an Electric Car Charger at Home?
- 2. How Much Does It Cost to Charge Your EV?
- 3. Workplace Electric Vehicle Charging
- 4. How Long Does It Take to Charge an Electric Car?
- 5. Are All EVs Compatible with All Chargers?
- 6. How Do I Know Which EV Charger I Can Use?
- 7. What Is the OLEV Grant?
Whether you’re plugging in at home, work, or a public station - or even tapping into solar power - this guide’s got everything you need to know.
From costs to compatibility, we’re breaking it down so you can hit the road with confidence.
Let’s get started.
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Quick Summary:
Home Charger Cost: £800-£1,500 for a 7kW unit; £1,500+ for tricky installs. Solar and battery connection - add £200-£500. OLEV grant: £350.
Charging Cost: £14.70 for 60 kWh at home (24.5p/kWh), £4.80 with smart tariffs. Solar’s free in daylight. Public: 53p-80p/kWh.
Workplace Charging: Free or 20-40p/kWh, with £350/socket via Workplace Charging Scheme.
Charging Time: 20+ hours (3-pin), 8-10 hours (7kW), 40-60 mins (50kW), 20-30 mins (150kW+ to 80%).
Most EVs use Type 2 (home) or CCS (rapid). Older models use CHAdeMO.
Picking a Charger: Match plug (Type 2, CCS, CHAdeMO) and speed (3.6kW-11kW). Zapmap helps locate public chargers.
OZEV Grant: £350 for home (renters/flats) or per workplace socket (up to 40).
Get your free EV Charger quote here.
1. How Much Does It Cost to Install an Electric Car Charger at Home?
A home charger makes EV life a breeze, but it’s an upfront spend. A standard 7kW unit - like the Hypervolt Home 3 Pro starts from £1,200, installation included, assuming a simple setup near your fuse box.
Want to tie it into solar panels or add battery storage? Tack on £200-£500 for the extra gear. Trickier jobs - think long cable runs or digging up your drive, can push it to £1,500+.
Once it’s in, though, you’re set for fast, convenient charging. Skip the slow three-pin plug and enjoy lower bills- especially if you’ve got solar or off-peak rates in your corner.
Note: You may also be entitled to an OZEV grant, offering £350 towards the cost of an EV charger (more on this below).
2. How Much Does It Cost to Charge Your EV?
The cost of juicing up your EV depends on where and how you charge, as well as the type of car and the battery size.
At home, with standard electricity at around 24.5p per kWh (the UK average in 2025), a 60 kWh battery - like you’d find in a Nissan Leaf - costs about £14.70 for a full charge.
Smart tariffs can drop that to 8p/kWh overnight, slashing it to £4.80.
Fancy solar panels? If they’re powering your charger, daytime top-ups could be free, though you’ll still lean on the grid when the sun’s not out.
Public charging’s a different beast - slow chargers hover around 53p/kWh, while rapid ones hit 80p/kWh. Home charging wins for cost, especially if you’re savvy with tariffs or solar.
3. Workplace Electric Vehicle Charging
No driveway? No problem, workplace charging’s got your back. More UK businesses are rolling out EV chargers, often sweetened by government grants, such as the Government's Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS).
The WCS is a voucher-based scheme that provides a contribution towards the up-front costs of the purchase and installation of EV charge points. It’s worth up to £350 per socket – up to a maximum of 40 sockets.
If your employer’s generous, you might score free charging, a perk to rival free biscuits. Otherwise, expect 20-40p/kWh, cheaper than public stations but pricier than home rates.
Some forward-thinking offices even add solar panels to the mix, letting you charge with clean energy while you clock in. It’s worth asking HR if they’ve jumped on this bandwagon - your commute could get greener and cheaper.
4. How Long Does It Take to Charge an Electric Car?
Charging speed depends on your setup and your EV’s battery. A three-pin plug at home (2.3kW) is glacial - 20+ hours for a 60kWh battery. Step up to a 7kW home charger, and it’s 8-10 hours - perfect for overnight.
Public rapid chargers (50kW) cut that to 40-60 minutes, while ultra-rapid ones (150kW+) hit 80% in 20-30 minutes, great for a pit stop.
Solar at home ties you to daylight unless you’ve got a battery to store it, but a 7kW charger still does the job nicely. Your car’s onboard charger matters too, some max out at 3.6kW or 11kW - so check the specs for the full picture.
5. Are All EVs Compatible with All Chargers?
Mostly, but not always. In the UK, Type 2 connectors rule for home and slow public chargers - nearly every modern EV (Tesla, VW ID.3, Kia EV6) uses them.
Rapid chargers often go with CCS, standard on most new models. Older EVs, like some Nissan Leafs, might stick with CHAdeMO, though it’s on the way out.
Home chargers - solar or not - are typically Type 2, so you’re fine with recent cars.
Double-check your EV’s plug type in the manual - trying to force the wrong one is a no-go.
6. How Do I Know Which EV Charger I Can Use?
Finding the right charger is straightforward once you know your EV.
Check its plug (Type 2, CCS, CHAdeMO) and max charging speed, most home units are 7kW Type 2, ideal for overnight. If your car’s limited to 3.6kW or stretches to 11kW, that’ll steer your choice.
For public options, apps like Zapmap show what’s nearby and compatible. At home, your installer can match the charger to your car, solar or standard.
Still stumped? Your manual or a quick word with your dealer will sort it out. It’s all about pairing the right tech with your ride.
7. What Is the OLEV Grant?
The OLEV grant, now under the OZEV (Office for Zero Emission Vehicles) banner, is a government boost for EV charging.
The Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme fizzled out in 2022, replaced by the EV chargepoint grant: up to £350 (or 75% of the cost) for a home charger.
Catch is, it’s for renters or flat owners with off-street parking; homeowners with driveways miss out.
The Workplace Charging Scheme offers £350 per socket (up to 40) for businesses, perfect for office chargers, solar or otherwise.
No specific solar grant, but these can lighten the load on installation costs, leaving you more to play with.
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