Are you considering installing a home charge point for your electric vehicle? You’re right where you need to be. Buying a home charge point is a big decision. It requires some investment and will be a fixture in your home for many years. We’re here to help you get it right the first time.
Our friendly team will help you choose the correct charger, get it installed by the right installer, and find the right EV-friendly energy tariff, saving you up to £400 a year. We are the experts – to date, we’ve helped EV drivers save almost £2.5 million and cut their carbon emissions by 570 tonnes!
In this guide, we’ll cover the costs along the whole charge point journey, from finding the best charger to installing it at home. We’ll also run through the tools on Rightcharge built by our electric vehicle experts. Ready to get a clear view of electric car charge costs? Let’s go.
What is a home charging point?
A home charger is a device used to conveniently and efficiently charge your electric vehicle (or EV, for short) at home. It is typically a compact and weatherproof box that the installer will mount onto your wall. It is wired into your mains electricity supply and will come with a charging cable or a socket.
At a glance: How much does a home charger cost to purchase and install?
Purchasing and installing a home charge point costs upwards of £845. On Rightcharge’s platform, you’ll get a clear view of your charging options and pricing to make an informed decision. There are multiple factors to consider. Let’s take a look at the steps on your home charger journey.
1. Choose your charge point:
Purchasing your charger has an upfront cost. Rightcharge can help you find the right charge point to suit your preferences, needs and budget.
2. Find your installer:
Here at Rightcharge, we have a nationwide network of qualified installers.
3. Complete a home survey:
A home survey will ensure your proposed charger location is suitable and safe. The survey will also help identify if there are any extra costs for the installation.
4. Installation day:
Rightcharge will provide you with a free no-obligation quote outlining the costs for your charging point and standard installation.
5. Maintenance and repairs:
On Rightcharge’s website, you will find that most chargers come with a three-year warranty. However, there are a few that have a five-year warranty, so be sure to keep an eye out for those.
If you have questions about the specific costs of your home installation, contact the team of electric vehicle charging experts at Rightcharge.
What is the best electric vehicle charge point for me?
Your EV home charge point will be a daily part of your life for many years. Luckily for you, Rightcharge has handpicked a range of the best electric vehicle chargers on the market.
Some important factors to consider include your charging point positioning, power output, look and costs
AAt Rightcharge, we’ll factor in all your charge point requirements and only show you the home charging units we know will work for you. Our EV experts plug away in the background, finding the latest deals, so our recommendations are always up to date and often the cheapest in the market.
Here’s how it works for you:
- We’ll ask for your postcode to pair you with a local installer who knows your area the best and has the right charge point for you.
- Then, we will ask you a few questions about your home and charger preferences. We will then show you a range of charge points to choose from.
- Next, a home survey will be completed to ensure an installation is feasible. This survey can be completed remotely or in person, depending on your preference.
- We will then provide you with a quote outlining the costs of your chosen charge point and the standard installation.
- Once you have accepted this quote, an installer will contact you to book a convenient installation date.
- Finally, we can also help you pair your EV charger with an EV-friendly tariff if you would like. We can also cost this out for you to see how each decision will affect your finances
How much money can I save with a home charger?
The prices of public chargers can differ depending on where they are and who provides the charging service. Charging your vehicle at home is usually cheaper than using public chargers. If you want to save money, installing an EV charger at home is an excellent choice.
*Just a quick note: the electricity unit rates mentioned above are subject to change based on dates and geographical location. Also, the Intelligent Octopus rate is only available at certain times of the day. Finally, the public charge unit rate is based on ‘guest’ charging.
Electricity prices have increased, so charging is slightly more expensive than it was but is still far cheaper than relying on petrol or diesel cars.
Smart charge points and EV-friendly tariffs will save even more money on your electric car charger running costs. Let’s have a look into this…
Smart charge points can help reduce the running cost for charging your electric car
A smart charge point has clever technology which allows you to schedule your car charging.
Smart charge points come with a mobile app that enables you to plug in your EV without charging automatically. Instead, you can schedule your charging, allowing you to pick and choose when you want your electric vehicle to recharge, such as during off-peak times. Off-peak energy is often cheaper and always greener because it puts less pressure on the energy grid.
When you combine the right charge point with one of our EV-friendly energy tariffs, you can unlock hidden savings of up to £400 per year. So it’s an excellent move for your bank balance and the planet.
From June 30th, 2022, the law changed, meaning that all-electric vehicle chargers sold must be “smart”. All the charge points you’ll find on Rightcharge are smart.
Pairing your home charger with an EV-friendly tariff can help reduce your running costs for charging your electric car.
Charging your electric vehicle at home doesn’t have to send your energy costs through the roof.
Charging your electric vehicle at home doesn’t have to send your energy costs through the roof.
EV-friendly tariffs offer electric vehicle drivers the best value for their home energy.
There are different types of EV-friendly tariffs. Here are a few examples:
- The OVO Anytime tariff offers electricity at 10p per kWh, allowing you to enjoy affordable energy anytime.
- Get cheaper electricity rates with Intelligent Octopus tariff at 7.5p per kWh. These more affordable and cleaner electricity rates are available from 11:30 p.m. to 5:30 a.m.
- The Octopus Go tariff offers a discounted rate of 9.5p per kilowatt-hour from 12:30 am to 4:30 am, allowing for more affordable access to electricity during these off-peak hours.
*Please note: These electricity unit rates are based around London and are correct at the time of publishing but are subject to changes.
Our experts at Rightcharge will find you the best EV-friendly energy deal on the market and forecast your expenses so you know what to expect.
To find out more about EV-friendly tariffs, read our dedicated guide here.
The process of getting a home charge point installed
Do not try to install your home charge point yourself! Electric car charging points are high voltage and need a professional installation.
Before the visit, additional time is spent beforehand completing a home survey. This survey can be completed remotely, where we will ask you a few questions and request some photos and videos. Alternatively, you can request a home survey. This survey element ensures that your chosen location is entirely safe, and you can be aware of any possible extra installation costs beforehand.
The entire process might take a few weeks, but the installer can complete the charger installation in just a few hours.
What should you expect on installation day?
On the day of the installation, ensure you are at home so the installer can run you through how to safely and effectively use your new EV home charging point! It is also an excellent opportunity for you to ask any questions.
Be aware that your installer must turn off the power during installation. Also, have your Wi-Fi password close to hand so the installer can ensure your smart charger has the internet connection to function correctly.
Can anyone help me through the process of buying an EV charger?
Rightcharge was created specifically to help people like you!
We help you with your home charging while saving you money. Our friendly team will help you choose the correct charger, get it installed by the right installer, and find the right EV-friendly energy tariff, saving you up to £400 a year.
We are the experts – to date, we’ve helped almost £2.5 million EV drivers and helped them cut their carbon emissions by 570 tonnes!
What is better public charging or home charging stations?
Unless you’re in London, you may have noticed the UK’s public charging network can’t always give access to the EV charging coverage you need.
For now, public charging points are less convenient and more expensive. Even when you do find one in your area, costs can be hard to determine. You might find it’s already in use or, even more annoying, broken once you get there.
Rather than rely on public car chargers, we advise electric vehicle owners to take the stress out of the equation and install one at home. Your electricity bill will thank you for it, too.
Home charge point frequently asked questions:
Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about home charge points:
1. What do I need to buy for home charging?
You are halfway there if you already have a mains electricity supply and WI-FI connection. After that, you’ll need to pay for the charging point and installation and, ideally, find an EV-friendly energy tariff. Rightcharge can help you take care of this.
During the home survey process, you will be made aware of any additional costs if you need home modifications. Some examples of home modifications include a cable route longer than 10m, a higher power output charger and a charger that needs to be mounted somewhere other than your home.
2. How do I determine if I can install an electric car charging point?
If you live or rent a property with dedicated off-street parking – essentially, its own driveway or garage – you can install an electric vehicle charge point at your home. If you do not have off-street parking, you can speak to your local council about on-street charging.
If you rent your home, you’ll need to seek permission from your landlord to install an electric car charge point.
The good news is you do not require planning permission to install charge points for off-street parking, providing that you follow a few basic rules. These include ensuring that the electrical outlet does not exceed 0.2 cubic metres in size for a wall-mounted charger, whereas for a stand-mounted charger, the height must not exceed 2.3 meters.
The charger also must not be located within the curtilage of a listed building or scheduled monument. In layman’s terms, “curtilage” means the land attached to a listed building or monument.
The other rule is that chargers must not face onto nor be located within 2 meters of a public highway.
3. Can I charge my car through a regular plug socket?
You can charge your electric vehicle through a standard three-pin plug socket. However, charging an electric car through a standard three-pin socket can take much longer than using a charging point. You should use a charge point when charging your electric vehicle for faster and safer charging.
4. What do you mean by electric vehicle charging speeds?
The speed at which your home electric vehicle charger recharges your car’s batteries is measured in kilowatts (kW).
Home charge points with a power output of 7kWh for small to medium-sized electric vehicles are the most common solution.
5. How long does it take to charge an electric car?
A three-pin plug operating at 2.3kW will take a long time to charge a vehicle. For example, a three-pin plug can take 15 hours to charge a standard electric vehicle with a 40kW battery, such as a Nissan Leaf. However, a 7kW home charging point will fully recharge the same car within 6 hours.
Summary
Electric car charger costs upwards of £845, including a standard installation. If you’re looking for the cheapest way to charge an electric, you’ll need a home charge point.
Have you still got questions about the cost of a home charge point?
Our friendly team with expert advice are only a click away. Email us at customercare@rightcharge.co.uk.