Public charging is improving, but it remains slower, pricier, and more inconvenient than charging at home. The economics of EV ownership look significantly better when you have a dedicated home charger — especially when paired with solar panels and a time-of-use electricity tariff.
This guide covers everything you need to know to make an informed decision about home EV charger installation in the UK.
Why Home Charging Makes Sense
The cost difference between home and public charging is significant. With the right setup, you can charge your EV at a fraction of the cost of public chargers:
| Charging method | Cost per kWh | Cost per mile | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3-pin plug (13A) | 24p | ~7p | 2.3kW / ~8mph range |
| Home 7kW charger (standard tariff) | 24p | ~7p | 7kW / ~25mph range |
| Home 7kW charger (Octopus Go 7p/kWh) | 7p | ~2p | 7kW / ~25mph range |
| Home 7kW + solar panels (daytime) | 0p | ~0p | 7kW / ~25mph range |
| Public rapid charger (50kW) | 65–85p | ~20p | 50kW / ~100mph range |
Range per hour based on typical EV efficiency of 3.5–4 miles/kWh. Costs correct as of April 2025.
The OZEV Grant: What You're Entitled To
The Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme (EVHS), administered by the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV), provides a grant of up to £350 (or 75% of the installation cost, whichever is lower) for eligible homeowners and renters.
OZEV Grant eligibility checklist
You have an electric vehicle (or have placed an order for one)
You live in a house with off-street parking (flat dwellers: see LEVI fund below)
Your EV charger is installed by an OZEV-approved installer (Energy Concerns is approved)
You have not previously claimed this grant at this address
Energy Concerns handles the OZEV grant application on your behalf — you don't need to submit anything. The grant is deducted directly from your invoice, so you simply pay the balance.
7kW or 22kW: Which Do You Need?
Almost all home EV charger installations use a 7kW (32A) charger. Here's why 22kW rarely makes sense at home:
7kW Charger
- Works on standard single-phase supply
- Adds ~25 miles of range per hour
- Charges most EVs fully overnight (8hrs = 56kWh)
- OZEV grant eligible
- Compatible with solar panel diversion
- £800–£1,400 installed
22kW Charger
- Requires three-phase electricity supply
- Most UK homes are single-phase only
- Three-phase upgrade costs £2,000–£5,000+
- Most EVs on-board charger limited to 7.4kW anyway
- Limited benefit over 7kW in practice
- Higher hardware and install cost
The conclusion is clear: for home use, a 7kW smart charger is the right choice for the overwhelming majority of EV owners.
Solar Integration: Free Charging from Sunshine
If you have solar panels — or plan to install them — a solar-compatible smart EV charger unlocks the best possible EV running cost: effectively zero pence per mile on sunny days.
Solar-compatible chargers (such as myenergi Zappi, Ohme, or CTEK Chargestorm) continuously monitor your solar system's output and automatically divert surplus generation — electricity that would otherwise be exported to the grid at 5–15p/kWh — into your car's battery. Since this displaces grid imports at 24p/kWh, it's the best possible use of your solar generation.
Example: Solar diversion charging over a year
Typical annual solar surplus (4kW system)
1,200 kWh
Diverted to EV charging (70%)
840 kWh
Equivalent miles of free driving
~3,000 miles
Grid cost avoided (at 24p/kWh)
£200/yr
Combined with overnight cheap-rate charging on a time-of-use tariff (Octopus Go at around 7–8p/kWh), a solar + smart charger setup gives you daytime free solar charging and night-time ultra-cheap grid charging — the optimal EV cost profile.
The Installation Process
Survey & planning
We assess your consumer unit (fuse box), assess cable routes, check earthing arrangements, and confirm the optimal charger location. Most surveys take 30–45 minutes.
Grant application
Energy Concerns submits the OZEV grant application on your behalf. You don't need to do anything — the grant is deducted from your invoice automatically.
Installation day
Most home EV charger installations take 2–4 hours. The charger is wall-mounted, cabled back to your consumer unit, and commissioned. You'll be shown how to use the app and set up charging schedules.
Certification & sign-off
Energy Concerns issues an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) and notifies Building Control (Part P) — as required by UK regulations. You receive all documentation for insurance and property records.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to install a home EV charger?
A standard 7kW home EV charger installation costs £800–£1,400 fully installed. The OZEV grant provides up to £350 off for eligible properties. After the grant, most homeowners pay £450–£1,050 for a quality smart charger with professional installation.
What is the best home EV charger for solar panels?
A solar-compatible smart EV charger such as myenergi Zappi, Ohme, or CTEK Chargestorm is the best choice for solar panel owners. These detect surplus solar generation and automatically divert it to charge your car — effectively giving you free EV charging on sunny days.
Is a 7kW or 22kW home charger better?
A 7kW charger is sufficient for the vast majority of home users. It adds approximately 30 miles of range per hour, meaning a typical overnight charge adds 240 miles — more than enough for daily use. 22kW requires three-phase electricity, which most UK homes don't have without expensive upgrades.
Ready to Install?
Energy Concerns is an OZEV approved EV charger installer serving Leicester, Leicestershire, and the East Midlands. We handle the grant paperwork, install to BS 7671 standards, and provide full certification — all included in the installation price.
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