One of the most significant issues electric vehicle (EV) owners face is finding a place to charge their cars. Although there are +42,000 charge points around the UK, unfortunately, it’s still not enough! This is due to the growing demand for electric cars, and plug-in hybrid electric cars and it’s fair to say that the unmet demand for chargers is putting some people off buying electric vehicles.
Nowadays, we’re seeing an increasing demand for home charging points – which, if met, could be the solution consumers are looking for.
In this blog, we’ll discuss everything you’ll need to know about EV charging points installation.
What is an EV Charging Point?
If you have an electric car or a plug-in hybrid electric car, you’ll need an EV charging point to charge your car’s batteries.
EV charging points are generally found in public places. Some of the most popular spots include supermarkets, public car parks, shopping centres, hotels and selected service stations, as well as the obvious workplaces and residential areas.
EV charging point installation
Before installing an EV charging point, you’ll need to look out for a couple of things, such as; the type of charging point, the level of your home charging point, and the additional features. Read this blog about what to consider when getting a home charging point.
Electric vehicle (EV) charging points: the law on installation
Infrastructure intelligence has clarified the confusion about the law on EV charging point installation. This is what they’ve said: “Planning permission is not required for the installation of wall-mounted electric vehicle charging points in areas lawfully used for off street parking – provided certain conditions are met.
The electrical outlet must not exceed 0.2 cubic metres in size, and it can’t face onto, or be within, two metres of a highway. The point also can’t be within a site designated as a scheduled monument or within a listed building.
The rules for installing an upstand with a mounted electrical charging are similar. Planning permission is not required if the upstand outlet does not exceed 1.6 metres in height from the level of the surface used for the parking of vehicles. Installation cannot result in more than one upstand being provided for a single parking space.”
As an EV owner, you don’t need to get planning permission to install an EV charging point at your home, as your property is automatically considered ‘permitted developments’. But you will need to obtain permission if the installation is;
- Over 0.2 cubic meters in size
- Close to a highway
- More than 1.6 meters in height
- In a listed building
On the other hand, tenants will need to obtain additional permission from the landlord before getting a home charging point installed.
Can I install an EV charging point by myself?
The short answer is no. Due to the risk associated with handling electricity, it’s best not to attempt to do it alone. You should hire an OZEV authorised installer instead.
Who can install a home electric charge point?
An EV charging point installation should be carried out by an experienced and certified installer who specialises in electric vehicles and chargers.
Hiring an OZEV authorised installer will be the safest option for your home and will save you money in the long run, as some EV charging points will lose their warranty if they’re not installed by a certified electrician.
An OZEV authorised installer could also advise you on the type of permission you’ll need (if any), and they can also assess if it’s safe to have an EV charging point at home, and which area of your home guarantees the maximum benefit.
Alternatively, you can simply fill out the WarmZilla Survey to get a quote and arrange the installation date in minutes. Plus, all our installers are OZEV authorised!
How much does it cost to buy and install an EV home charging station?
There are many factors that affect the electric car charging station installation costs such as;
- The charger type – Type 1 or Type 2
- The speed of the charger – slow chargers (3kW -6kW) can take up to 12 hours to charge a long-range electric car, and 6-8 hours to charge a smaller one. Slow charge points cost between (£250-£500 without installation), while fast chargers (7kW-22kW) can charge an electric car in 2-4 hours and can cost anything between (£450-£800 without installation).
- The charge point brand of choice – if you’d like to go with an established brand such as Siemens and Bosch or if you’ve chosen a different brand that might not be as well-known such as Juicebox and ClipperCreek, this will affect the final price of the charging station.
- Other factors – the distance between your fuse box and your parking spot or driveway. The further you park your car, the higher the cost will be. That’s not just down to the greater distance of cabling needed; it’s also because regulations oblige the installer to use higher-diameter cables for longer distances for additional protection, which incurs extra fees.
The cost of installation
The average cost of installing a home charging point is £1,000.
A breakdown of the cost of installing an EV charging point
We’ve put together a breakdown of the installation cost and what it includes
Fuse box – due to the added pressure on your fuse box and the increase in electricity usage, you may need to upgrade your current fuse box which can cost around £350.
Isolator switch – during the installation, it’s often required to get a new isolator switch, the cost could vary between (£100-£200)
Rapid charging cable – if you’d like to upgrade your current charging cable to a rapid one, this could cost between (£150-£500)
Electric vehicle (EV) charging points installation
We’ve put together a step-by-step guide on what will usually happen on the day of installation so you’ll know what to expect.
- Our installer will arrive at the agreed installation time.
- The installer will help you choose the best position for your EV car charge point and consult with you before moving on to the next step – this is based on the power supply and where you park your car.
- The installer will position and fix the charge point to your wall just before turning off the power supply temporarily.
- The installer will safely connect the charge point to the power supply, do a safety test, turn the power back on, and make sure your home charging point is ready to use.
- They’ll then connect the charge point to your home Wi-Fi.
- Last but not least, the installer will demonstrate how to use the charging unit and all its features. They’ll also explain what the different lights mean and how to get in touch if you have any questions later on.
Are you looking for an EV charging point?
Finding the right EV charging unit for your home from many brands such as BP Pulse, Pod Point, Rolec etc. is a minefield!
If you’re shopping around for an EV home charging unit, we’d advise using our latest EV comparison tool. Just select up to 3 home charging units you want to compare and you’ll be able to compare key stats side by side to decide which one is the right fit for your car and home.
You can also take the WarmZilla survey. By answering a few simple questions, we’ll be able to recommend a suitable EV home charging unit for your home, car (and wallet)! You can get a quote in just a few minutes without adding personal details!
