Thanks to the financial savings and environmental benefits which can be enjoyed, the transition to electric vehicles (EVs) is rapidly gaining momentum. In the UK alone, the number of EVs is projected to skyrocket from 1.3 million as of September 2024, to 7 million by 2030 and 22 million by 2040.
This rapid growth is a significant step towards reducing harmful emissions and addressing environmental concerns.
However, with such a steep increase in the number of people driving electric vehicles, the question on everyone’s lips is; how will this affect EV charging infrastructure and what does it mean for drivers?
Lancashire County Council has already estimated that it will need eight times the current number of charging points by 2030 to accommodate the growing number of EVs on the road. This highlights the need for practical and convenient charging solutions for drivers.
Fortunately, drivers don’t have to rely solely on public charging stations. More and more people are choosing to install EV charging points at home – a choice that offers significant benefits both financially and practically.
Financial savings
Charging your EV at home can save considerable money in the long run. According to Zapmap data, as of October 2024, the average pay-as-you-go price for public charging was:
- 56p per kWh for slow/fast chargers
- 80p per kWh for rapid/ultra-rapid chargers
In contrast, homeowners with a dedicated EV charging point could pay as little as 7.5p per kWh. This massive cost difference is largely due to lower electricity rates for home charging and the ability to avoid the 20% VAT applied to public charging.
Convenience and accessibility
Having a home charging station eliminates the stress of competing for public chargers, especially as demand increases. It also allows EV owners to charge their vehicles overnight, ensuring a full battery every morning without inconvenience.
As more EV owners consider installing a home charger, questions often arise about the process, costs and benefits. To help address these concerns, we spoke with our Electrical Team Manager, Zach Penna to answer some of the most frequently asked questions on this topic.
What can I expect to pay to have an electric vehicle charging point installed at my home?
The exact cost will vary depending on a number of factors. Typically however, you’re looking at a ballpark figure of around £1,000+VAT.
Considerations which may affect the price include:
- The length of the run between the consumer unit and charger
- If a customer’s existing consumer unit isn’t up to current standards and we need to instal a new one dedicated to the electric vehicle charger
- If the electrical earth bonding isn’t up to current standards
- Manufacturer of EV Charger
What are the ongoing costs of an EV charging point and are there any off-peak charging rates I can take advantage of?
Again, this will vary depending on who your energy provider is but there are many smart tariffs which give you cheaper electric for EV vehicle charging. I would recommend researching the different providers available and finding a deal that suits your needs.
If I use my car as a company car, can I expense the cost of having an electric vehicle charging point installed at my home?
This actually depends on the policy the company you work for has. Lots of businesses are updating their policies to include electric vehicles so it’s well worth asking.
How do I check if my home’s electric panel is capable of supporting an EV charger?
A qualified electrician can carry out a survey where they will be able to determine this. If your electric consumer unit isn’t up to current standards, the majority of people have a dedicated EV consumer unit installed.
Do I need to obtain permission from the council to have an EV charger installed at my property?
Electric vehicle wall mounted outlets have permitted development. There are some considerations to apply with, however, so it’s a good idea to enquire with your specific council beforehand.
What does the installation process involve and how long will it take?
This does depend on the installation but, on average, it takes between four to eight hours. You can be up and running in a day!
Aside from convenience, what are the benefits of having a charging point at home as opposed to using a public one?
There are lots of great benefits of having an EV charging point installed at your home – the main one being how cost effective it is in the long-run. You do, of course, have the initial expense of installation, but you can make this money back quickly.
If you’re on a price cap tariff for example, charging your vehicle at home will be at least 50% cheaper than using a public charger.
As well as saving money, having a charging point at your home is so much more convenient. You can charge your car whenever you want, you don’t have to worry about availability, there’s no more waiting around for your car to finish charging and at home you can even schedule specific charging times.
We have two electric vehicles at home, is it possible to charge more than one car at a time?
It is possible to have a charger with two outlets. Something to bear in mind with this however is that you will be sharing the charge between two cars so it will take twice as long. You just need to remember to factor this into your charging time if you need to go somewhere.
Is regular maintenance required for the charger and who handles repairs if needed?
The only maintenance that’s required for an EV charger is making sure it’s clean and free of damage. You will also need to carry out testing of the charger as per what’s recommended. This tends to be every 10 years for domestic chargers and every five years if it’s a rental.
To find out more about having an electric vehicle charging point installed at your home, get in touch with Blue Flame and we’ll be happy to help.