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To charge an EV at home, we recommend having a dedicated home charging point installed. Whilst you can use a 3-pin plug, a dedicated home charge offers faster charging speeds and built in safety features.
A home charger, sometimes referred to as a wall box is a compact, weatherproof charging point with either a tethered connector, or a socket for plugging in a portable charging cable.
Our Partners, Pod Point, provide our customers with charging solutions for homes and workplaces across the UK. Their service includes:
- An expert network of qualified electricians
- Reliable and easy to use smart chargers
- An intuitive app, called ‘Pod Point App’ that puts you in control of charging
Cost of installing a home charging point
The cost of a fully installed home charging point from Pod Point starts from £999.Once installed, you only pay for the electricity used for charging.
Pod Point currently have two charging point products available, the Solo 3 (from £999) and Solo 3S (from £1099). Both of these products are available as a universal charger, where you can plug your own cable into the universal socket or as a tethered charger, which has a 5m Type 2 cable attached.
To compare the charging points availble from Pod Point, click here.
Whilst the The Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme (EVHS) is no longer open to homeowners (including people with mortgages) who live in single-unit properties such as bungalows and detached, semi-detached or terraced housing.The scheme remains open to those that live in flats (including leasehold) and rental accommodation. To find out more, click here.
To support future demand, In 2022, the Government introduced regulations requiring the installation of charging infrastructure in the following locations, where there is associated parking:
- New homes
- New non-residential buildings
- Buildings undergoing major renovations
Cost of charging at home
Between 1st January and 30th June 2024, the average Energy Price Cap in the UK, for those that pay for their electricity by Direct Debit is at 24.50p per kWh (Ofgem).
By switching to an electricity tariff designed specifically for Pod Point users, you can schedule your EV to charge when its cheapest. EDFs tariff provides you with 5 hours overnight at just 8.49p per kWh.
When you begin charging your EV at home, you will inevitably see an increase in your electricity bill, due to the increase in your consumption. Whilst energy prices do fluctuate, as of January 2024, charging at home costs averaged 8p per mile while a diesel or petrol vehicle can cost up to 17p per mile to fuel. Some suppliers, including EDF, that offer reduced tariffs for EVs enable drivers to charge their EVs at under 3p per mile.
To find your current cost per kWh, please check with your electricity supplier.
Cost Comparison:
|
VW ID.3 |
VW Polo |
| 347 miles (WLTP Combined) |
52.8mpg (WLTP Combined) |
|
Pence Per Mile = |
Pence Per Mile = |
|
Home Charger Tariff - EDF Energy Go Electric with Pod Point: 8.49p per kWh 2 pence per mile |
UK-wide Unleaded Price: 149.96p 13 pence per mile |
UK Petrol and Diesel Prices (accessed: 14.05.2024)
Charging speed at home
Most UK households have a single-phase supply in which case a 7kW is the fastest charging option available.
Home chargers deliver charging speeds of up to 7kW, providing approximately 15-30 miles of range per hour, compared to 2.3kW from a 3 pin plug offering up to 8 miles of range per hour.
If you have a three-phase supply, you maybe able to charge at up to 22kW, which will add approximately 50 miles of range per hour.
Getting an EV Charging Point installed at home
Installation of an EV charger must be carried out by a qualified and competent electrician who has obtained a ChargePoint installation qualification (2921) and are registered with the Competent Person Scheme. It is common for many EV charger providers to include installation services with the purchase.
Pod Point include installation as standard. Once you have chosen between the Solo S and Solo 3S, and placed your order Pod Point will contact you to book an installation date online or over the phone.
This installation includes mounting the unit on an exterior wall or garage and connecting it to the mains electricity supply.
Installation typically takes between two to three hours, depending on the complexity of the installation.
Do I need permission to install an EV charger?
No permission is required to install an EV charger if you own a house with private parking. However, if you rent your home, have a shared ownership agreement or own a flat, you must obtain permission from your landlord or property manager prior to installation.
How to optimise home charging
Many drivers considering an EV worry that an EV won’t provide them with enough range, or that they will have to regularly stop to recharge whilst completing their usual daily / weekly tasks.
According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, the average electric range for new EVs launched in 2023 was nearly 300 miles, with an increasing number of manufacturers working to introduce models with ranges in excess of 300 miles.
As 99% of car journeys in England are under 100 miles, most could be made by an EV without needing to recharge.
However, many EV drivers will plug in at home, to top up their EV keeping it between 20%-80%.
Scheduling your car either via the Pod Point App or the car itself, to charge during off-peak hours can save on electricity costs depending on your tariff. With a dedicated home charger, charging stops automatically when the battery is full.
What if I don't have off street parking?
For many, the absence of a driveway is considered as a barrier to switching to an electric vehicle (EV). However, infrastructure is evolving, and access to public charging points is rapidly increasing. In the UK, local authorities are starting to integrate charging points into lamp posts and bollards to facilitate on-street charging. They are also collaborating with companies like Kerbo Charge who install EV charging gullies on residential streets for those with a home charger.
Many Employers that are considering the switch to EVs, or have already implemented Electric Company Cars or a Salary Sacrifice Scheme, will benefit from the Work Place Charging Scheme, enabling employees who can not charge at home, the opportunity to charge at work.
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