Getting a home EV charger installed is a fairly straightforward job, but there are a few things worth knowing before you book. Here’s what the process actually involves.
Choosing the right charger
Most home installations use a 7kW (32-amp) single-phase charger, which gives you around 25-30 miles of range per hour of charging. That’s fast enough for most people to charge overnight without issue. The main charger brands we install are the MyEnergi Zappi and Wallbox Pulsar Max — both are solid units with good app control and smart charging features. If you have solar panels, the Zappi is particularly useful because it can prioritise charging your car from your own generation rather than the grid. We’ve put together a full guide on how solar EV charging works and what setup you need.
What the installation involves
Before anything gets fitted, we’ll check that your consumer unit has the capacity to take the additional circuit. Most modern installations do; occasionally a unit upgrade is needed, which we’ll flag upfront. We’ll then run a dedicated circuit from the consumer unit to where the charger is going — typically in a garage or on an external wall near where the car parks. The charger is mounted, wired in, and tested. The whole job usually takes two to four hours.
Does it need to be done by an electrician?
Yes. A new dedicated circuit falls under Part P of the Building Regulations and needs to be installed by a registered electrician who can certify the work. You’ll also need a certified installation to qualify for any manufacturer warranties and to use smart tariffs like Octopus Go that integrate with the charger.
We install EV chargers across Bristol and South Gloucestershire. Get in touch for a quote and we’ll sort you out with the right setup for your car and property.
