Are you thinking about getting a home charger for your electric vehicle? You’re right where you need to be.
Electric vehicle chargers vary in specifications and capabilities, which can make finding the right home charger feel like a daunting challenge. But here at Rightcharge, our mission is to find you the right charger at the right price and with the right installer. We can even find you the right EV-friendly energy tariff. All this means that you get to unlock hidden savings, too!
In this guide, we will look at how to find the right installer for your electric vehicle charging, talk you through the process of getting a home charge point and answer some frequently asked questions.
At a glance: Everything you need to know about sorting out your home EV charger
Still, trying to figure out where to start? Here is an overview of the electric vehicle home charger installation process.
Let’s take a look at the steps on your home charger journey:
1. Compare chargers
There are dozens of EV chargers out there. Let our electric vehicle experts at Rightcharge do the work for you. We can help find the right charge point to suit your needs, preferences, and budget.
2. Complete a home survey
A quick and easy home survey can be completed remotely (using your smartphone) or in person (where the installer comes to your house) and ensures your chosen location is safe and viable for the charge point installation.
3. Find your installer
You would typically need to find and book a professional installer to install your EV home charger, but don’t worry about sifting through all the options available; we will find the right one for you.
At Rightcharge, we work with top-rated installers across the UK who are competitively priced. Just provide us with your postcode, and we can match you with a local installer and the right charger.
4. Receive your free non-obligation quote
Once you have completed your home survey, we will provide you with a confirmation of your quote outlining the costs of your chosen charge point and installation. We will also provide any additional information or costs required for your charger’s safe and legal installation.
5. Installation
Your installer will organise an installation date with you, and your charge point installation can be completed in as little as two hours.
Factors to consider when finding the right EV home charge point for you
When it comes to electric vehicle home charge points, there are a lot of factors to consider. That is why it is essential to research and choose the right charge point for you and your vehicle.
You want to think about each of the following things when choosing your charge point:
⚡ Power output and charging speed
⚡ Cable (tethered or untethered)
⚡ Smart charging features
⚡ Fuse Protection
⚡ Solar Compatibility
⚡ Lock and security
⚡ Earthing Rod
⚡Remote Diagnosis
You can find more information about this in our ultimate guide to home electric car chargers. Our charger comparison tool will also help you filter chargers by your needs, preferences and budget to help you find the perfect charger.
What does the home installation process involve?
First, installing a home charger is not a DIY job – as the saying goes, do not try this at home! Electric car charging points are high voltage, so a professional must install them.
The first step is a home survey. This survey ensures your chosen location is safe and viable for a charge point. Furthermore, this survey will ensure that your home fuse box is suitable and can handle the extra electricity load. We will ask you to send photos of the charger’s proposed location and might ask you a few follow-up questions. Alternatively, you can request that the home survey be completed in person. This survey element ensures that your chosen location is entirely safe, and you can be aware of any possible extra installation costs beforehand.
The second step is the installation itself – it’s only a two-step process, very easy! We will contact you to book a convenient day and time to complete the installation. It is best to make sure you’re at home, too. This way, the installer can take you through how to use your new electric car home charger, allowing you to ask any questions.
Where to buy your electric car charger?
As you can see, searching for a charger based on all these EV charger criteria is time-consuming. However, you don’t have to go it alone. Our home charge point tools can help you!
Rightcharge has streamlined the whole process into three easy steps:
1. Helping you find the right electric car home charging point based on your needs, preferences and budget.
2. Find and book a professional installer from our nationwide network of top-rated and approved installers.
3. Find the best EV-friendly energy tariff tailored to how you use and charge your EV.
In this way, Rightcharge goes beyond a typical price comparison site to help find the best package based on your needs and preferences.
Here’s how the process of getting a home charge point with Rightcharge works for you:
1. Firstly, we ask you some simple questions
These questions include your postcode and the electric vehicle you want to charge at home.
At Rightcharge, our team can provide expert advice based on your answers and give you personalised recommendations. For example, fast charging might be your top concern or affordability. For others, it is compatibility with their rooftop PV solar panels or a sleek design that fits their home’s overall aesthetic.
Want to get started on your charge point search now? Click here to begin your EV charging journey now!
2. Find and book a professional installer
When looking for an installer, it’s essential to consider a few factors.
- To ensure the installation of electric vehicle charging points meets government standards, it’s crucial to choose a company with OLEV approval.
- Additionally, selecting an installer with NICEIC/NAPIT accreditation indicates their qualifications and competence in electrical installation work.
- Choosing an installer with a proven record of providing dependable, fairly priced, and high-quality services is also wise.
However, do not worry about doing this yourself as we’ve already handpicked a network of installation companies that satisfy these requirements.
Good news! Our installers are typically with you in less than three weeks. Best of all, wherever you are in the mainland UK (including Scotland, Wales, England and Northern Ireland), we have installers on our books and waiting to hear from you.
3. Find the best energy tariff
As with step 1 above, this involves you answering just a few quick and easy questions about your postcode, property size, and the car you will be charging so we can estimate the real cost and savings the switch will give you. It’s effortless and painless! Click here to see our tariff comparison tool.
Home charge point FAQs
Got some more questions? Check out our FAQs here to find the answers:
How long does it take to charge an electric car?
The length of time it takes to charge an electric car fully varies depending on:
- The power of the charger, typically given in kilowatts (kW)
- How much charge is already in the vehicle’s battery
- How fast the car will allow the batteries to charge
A 7kW charge point can charge your vehicle up to three times faster than a standard three-pin plug. Read more about charging speeds in our dedicated guide.
How do I know if I can get a home charge point installed?
It’s straightforward to work out if you can install a home electric car charging point. If you live or rent a property with off-street parking, it has its own driveway or garage, then you can install an EV charger at your home. If you rent your home, you must seek permission from your landlord before installing an electric car charge point.
There is more good news too! You do not have to apply for planning permission to install a charge point on your driveway or garage. However, there are some guidelines that you have to follow. For example, a wall-mounted charger must be at most 0.2 cubic metres. Or, if you opt for a stand-mounted charger, it must be at most 2.3 meters in height. And last but not least, chargers must not be located within 2 meters of a public highway.
One note of caution: If you are fortunate enough to live in a listed building or scheduled monument, you cannot install a charge point within its curtilage – this means no charge point on either the building or the land directly attached to it.
How much does an electric car home charger cost?
An EV home charging point and standard installation typically costs anywhere upwards of £845. It’s possible to pay for an electric car home charger on a monthly basis if you prefer.
What is a smart charger?
A “smart” charger has intelligent capabilities that allow you to schedule your charging. This allows you to schedule your charging schedule and reduce costs by accessing cheaper electricity and charging rates during off-peak times. All of the handpicked chargers at Rightcharge are “smart”.
Summary
We passionately believe that switching to an electric car or van should be an easy experience, which is why we work so hard to make it easier for you.
With Rightcharge enabling you to get the correct charger, installer and tariff combination, you’ll save money and reduce carbon emissions. Getting the right charger and energy tariff can save you up to £400 annually!
There’s no need to visit dozens of websites, wade through research and reviews, or shop for quotes. If you want a simple, complete, joined-up journey, use Rightcharge.
If you’ve still got more questions about where to buy an electric car home charger, then get in touch!
We’re here to help you on every step of your transition to an EV. Our friendly team with expert advice is only a click away. Email us at customercare@rightcharge.co.uk.