How much to install an EV charger?

As of October 2024, there are over 1.3 million registered electric cars in the UK, according to ZapMap.

With government legislation restricting the sale of new non-electric vehicles by 2030, that number will only grow. 

With increased funding, the public network of electric vehicle chargers continues to improve.

However, in some parts of the UK, it’s still a challenge to own an electric car without the security and convenience of an EV charger at home.

And now, like vehicle owners, businesses are taking advantage of the technology too.

So, how much does EV charger installation cost and how much money could chargers save vehicle owners and businesses in the long-term?

What is an EV charger? 

An EV charger, or Electric Vehicle (EV) charger, is an electric charging point used to recharge electric vehicles.

They can be installed at private residences or commercial properties like offices, factories, and other businesses.

They can be connected to the grid or use other power sources (such as solar panels) to transfer electricity to your electric vehicle’s battery.

What’s the difference between tethered and untethered chargers?

When you’re deciding on the type of EV charger you want you’ll generally have a choice between tethered and untethered.

The difference is pretty simple: with tethered chargers, you cannot remove the charging cable. With untethered chargers, however, it is possible to remove or replace your charging cables. 

There are pros and cons to both types of chargers.

With tethered chargers (the most popular type for private users), it’s easy to plug in without having to fiddle around with cables on both ends.

Untethered chargers on the other hand allow you to choose your cable length, and to remove and store cables tidily away when they’re not in use. 

Plus, you can take untethered cables in the car with you for charging on the go.

How much does an EV charger cost?

An EV charger costs an average a total of £1,000 to buy and install in the UK – but can range from £800-£1,200 depending on the charger you choose.

Costs are generally broken down into the following components:

• Charger: Cost on average £600, but can range from £450-£700, depending on your charger type. Generally, the higher the kW you need for your electric car, the more expensive your charger is. So, a 22 kW charger would be more expensive than a 3.6 kW charger.
• Cables: If you have an untethered charger, you’ll have to buy your own charging cables, which cost anywhere from £75 to £250+ depending on length, type, and brand.
• Accessories: As well as additional cables, you may need to change your plug if you change your type (replacement plugs cost around £50), or install wall mounts, pedestals, or cable holders – which will all come at an additional cost.
• Labour and installation: It’s recommended that you use a trusted EV charger installer to make sure your charger is installed safely and correctly by certified electricians. Installation costs can vary from £200-£300.

Installing an EV charger at home

Home EV chargers are generally installed near where you park your vehicle. Most commonly this will be in your garage or driveway, but can be installed wherever is convenient.

Before an installation, your installation team will assess your property to make sure it’s suitable for EV charging.

Then, they’ll connect it to your system, mount the charger, and test it to make sure it’s safe for use. 

How much does it cost for a home EV charger?

The cost for an EV charger at your home will generally be the same as the costs listed above (an average of £1,000).

However the cost may vary depending on the installer you choose, or whether you choose tethered or untethered chargers.

Untethered chargers are usually a little bit cheaper by themselves, but you do need to buy the charging cables.

How much money will a home EV charger save me?

As well as helping to reduce carbon emissions, new research has shown just how much driving an electric car could save your bank balance.

A study by the Energy & Climate Intelligence Unit estimates that drivers who use petrol cars spend on average £700 more than drivers who use electric cars.

That means that within two years, you’ll fully cover the cost of your home EV charger in fuel savings.

Benefits of home EV chargers 

According to the Department for Transport, around 93% of electric vehicle owners have access to home charging – although many still also use public charging points as well. So, what are the benefits of home charging:

• Cheaper than public networks: While you do have to pay for the initial installation, charging at home is much cheaper in the long run. According to HomeserveUK, charging your electric vehicle at home costs an average of £610 per year compared to £1,077 at public charging points.
• Convenience: If you have an electric vehicle but don’t currently have a home EV charger, you’ll know the anxiety of trying to find a charging station. With one at home, you’ll never be caught short. Many drivers choose to charge overnight when electricity tariffs are lower so their vehicle is fully charged by the morning.
• Become a smart home: Home EV charging is one more step towards smart home automation. You’ll become more sustainable from day one and you can even link your vehicle and charger to your existing smart home system. That way, you’ll always know how much charge you have and when you need to top up.
• Reducing your carbon footprint: While electric cars aren’t perfect, upgrading to an electric vehicle will help reduce your carbon footprint. Petrol cars produce 4 times as much CO2 as electric cars throughout a vehicle’s lifetime, according to research by Recurrent Auto. While charging at home doesn’t necessarily improve this, if you link up to a solar panel you could reduce your footprint even further.

Installing an EV charger at your business

As with a home installation, EV chargers will be installed at your business where it’s most useful for drivers.

This may be in a separate part of the car park designated for electric vehicles or close to your entrance for easier access.

If you need to make any big changes to your infrastructure to accommodate EV charging, you can apply for a grant of up to £15,000 from the government to make changes.

How much does a commercial EV charger cost?

While EV chargers for your business will require some outlay, there are many incentives to help you make it happen.

As well as infrastructure grants, you can get money back on equipment that you purchase. 

The Workplace Charging Scheme, introduced in 2022, helps businesses to encourage electric car use by offering subsidies for employers who offer charging points.

According to the government website, “the scheme covers up to 75% of the total costs of the purchase and installation cost of EV charge-points (including VAT), capped at a maximum of: £350 per socket and 40 sockets across all sites per applicant – for instance, if you want to install them at 40 sites, you will have 1 socket available per site”

Benefits of EV chargers for businesses

The UK government is committed to helping businesses make EV charging easier.

But as well as the subsidies on offer, there are other benefits too:

• Reduce fuel and vehicle costs: If you have company vehicles, you’ll know the strain increased fuel costs put on your business. Not only is the cost per mile much cheaper for electric vs petrol/diesel (around 6p per mile, vs 12p per mile according to DriveElectric), but company car users pay less BIK (benefit-in-kind) tax on electric vehicles.
• Benefits for staff: According to a survey by Electric vehicle provider, Tusker, 40% of employees they surveyed said that their next vehicle would be an electric vehicle. Staff can already benefit from Salary Sacrifice schemes supported by the government. Providing them the extra incentive of on-site charging might just be the nudge they need to go electric.
• Attracting new recruits: Deloitte’s recent Sustainability report revealed that more than 40% of Gen Z and Millennial employees would be willing to change roles now or in the future over climate concerns. If you’re an employer committed to sustainable practices including EV charging, you could just attract a new generation of staff.

As we move slowly but surely to a future driven by electric vehicles, charging your electric vehicle at home makes sense for drivers.

It’s cheaper than charging at public charging points and you have the convenience of charging when you need it. It can save businesses money too.

And, if you become an early adopter you’ll give a clear signal to current and prospective employees that you’re committed to a more sustainable future.

While the initial outlay may seem scary, a combination of government subsidies and fuel savings will make the investment more than worth it in the long run. 

Install an EV charger with Fusion Electrical

At Fusion, we specialise in electric vehicle charging points for residential and commercial customers.

We’ll help plan where to install the electric car charger, all the way to having your charger installed.

Interested in having an EV charger installed at your home?

Get in touch with one of our team to find out more and get a no-obligation quote for your property.

Electric Car Charger – FAQ

Can any electrician install an EV charger?

It is recommended to use only an experienced car charger engineer who is qualified to undertake the necessary work.

Make sure your chosen electrician is registered with the NICEIC or the Office of Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV).

Is it worth buying a home EV charger?

It is absolutely worth it. Installing a home charger is convenient, saves money, and is faster than using a public EV charging point.

How much does a 7kW home charger cost per hour?

A 7kw Electric vehicle charger costs around £13 for a full charge, proving to be a cost effective way of electric car charging.

What EV charger can I install at home?

You can install a 7kw or a 22kw charger. A 22kw charger, however, requires a 3-phase electricity supply that most homes do not have as standard.

This makes the 7kw the most popular for electric vehicle charging.

What do I need to install EV charger at home?

To install an EV charger, you’ll need dedicated parking, such as a driveway, reliable Wi-Fi, and EV charging point equipment.

And, of course, a qualified electrician experienced in electric car charger installation.