Given that private cars are usually parked overnight, most electric car owners rely on home charging to ensure that their EV is ready for use each morning. As well as being convenient, home-based overnight charging also has the advantage of being, in most cases, the cheapest time to recharge.
The Government provides financial support for EV buyers to install a charge point at their home through the Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme (EVHS), which covers a proportion of the total costs – more details in following section.
Around 40 manufacturers provide charging units suitable for residential use. These units are Typically wall-mounted, and available either with a tethered Type 1 or Type 2 cable, which can be plugged straight into the car, or with a Type 2 socket for use with the vehicle’s charging cable.
Most suppliers provide two power rating options: 3 kW or 7 kW. Expect to pay more for the 7 kW option which reduces charge time significantly if the car has a fast on-board charger. For example, a Nissan Leaf on a 3 kW home charge unit will provide a full charge in around 12-13 hours, whereas a 7 kW unit will give a full charge in around six hours.
The Government-funded Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme (EVHS) provides grants for home charge points. From 1st April 2020, the maximum amount available to customers will be £350 off a charger. Until that point, the previous regulations apply, which sees the grant capped at up to £500 per charge point.
Contributions will cover no more than 75% of the cost of a charge point and its installation, and grants will only be available for those that have the unit fully-installed by an OLEV-accredited installer. Other regulations that apply include the requirement for charge points to be smart – able to be remotely accessed and capable of receiving, interpreting, and reacting to a signal.
Prices vary depending on charge point manufacturer and speed. Typically a 3 kW unit will cost between £250 and £500, while a 7 kW charge point will cost between £450 and £800 – though these costs are only guidelines and subject to change. It is worth remembering that new EV buyers may well be eligible for a discounted or free charge point as part of a manufacturer-backed perk. There also are EV-focused tariffs that offer similar schemes.
To be eligible to apply for the scheme, EV owners must provide evidence of keeper-ship, lease, be named as the primary user of an eligible electric vehicle (bought new or second hand), and have off-street parking facilities suitable for charge point installation.
The charge point must also be installed by an OLEV authorised installer. Choosing a supplier that is not on the list will most likely mean incurring the full cost of the unit and installation. Finally, the date of installation must not be more than four months ahead of the date of delivery of start date of vehicle.
For more details on the Homecharge and related schemes, visit the OLEV website.
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