A home EV charger is one of the most practical upgrades you can make when you switch to an electric car. Charging overnight at home means starting every day with a full battery, and it’s significantly cheaper per mile than public charging. But with a range of chargers on the market, it’s worth knowing what to look for before you book an installation.
Tethered vs untethered EV charger: what’s the difference?
This is one of the most common questions we get asked, and the answer is straightforward.
A tethered charger has a cable permanently attached. You plug it into your car and charge — no separate cable needed. It’s convenient if you only drive one car and always use the same connector type (Type 2 is standard for most UK EVs).
An untethered charger (also called a socketed charger) has a socket on the unit and no built-in cable. You use your own Type 2 cable, which typically comes with the car. The advantage is flexibility — if you change cars, change connector types, or want to charge different vehicles, you just swap the cable rather than the charger unit.
For most households with one EV, a tethered charger is the more practical choice. If you drive multiple different vehicles or expect to change cars regularly, untethered gives you more flexibility.
Why 7kW is the standard for home charging
Most home EV chargers are rated at 7kW (technically 7.2kW), and this is the sweet spot for domestic single-phase installations. At 7kW, a typical EV with a 60–80kWh battery will charge from near-empty to full overnight — usually in 8–12 hours.
22kW chargers exist but require a three-phase supply, which most domestic properties in the UK don’t have. Unless your property already has three-phase power, a 7kW charger is what you need.
Smart charging: now a legal requirement
Since December 2022, all new home EV chargers installed in the UK must be “smart” — meaning they must be able to schedule charging, respond to time-of-use tariffs, and communicate with the grid. In practice, this means connecting via Wi-Fi and using an app to set charge times.
This is actually a benefit rather than a burden. If you’re on an EV-friendly tariff like Octopus Intelligent or Octopus Go, smart scheduling means your car charges automatically during the cheapest overnight rate — often 7–9p per kWh rather than the standard rate.
Which home EV chargers are worth fitting?
The market has matured considerably over the last few years. A few chargers that consistently perform well for domestic installations:
- Ohme Home Pro — strong smart tariff integration, particularly good with Octopus. Available tethered or untethered.
- myenergi Zappi — the standout choice if you have solar panels. Its eco modes divert surplus solar generation to charge your car before exporting to the grid.
- Easee One — slim, well-designed unit with solid app functionality. Popular with installers for its reliability.
- Hypervolt Home 3 — good build quality, clean interface, works well with most tariffs.
We don’t recommend any charger we wouldn’t fit ourselves. The brands above all have reliable hardware, good warranty support, and work correctly with OZEV (Office for Zero Emission Vehicles) grant requirements where applicable.
What does installation involve?
A home EV charger installation typically takes 2–4 hours. The charger needs a dedicated circuit from your consumer unit, and the installer will assess whether your existing supply capacity is sufficient. Most domestic properties have no issue, but if your home has an older or undersized supply, that may need upgrading first.
The charger is usually mounted on an exterior wall near where you park — or in a garage. The installer will handle cable routing, earthing, and the CT clamp or energy metering required for smart tariff integration.
Grants for home EV charger installation
The OZEV Electric Vehicle Chargepoint Grant currently offers £350 off the cost of a home charger installation for flat owners and renters (subject to eligibility). Homeowners in standalone properties are no longer eligible for the domestic grant, though grants remain available for those in flats or rental properties.
We’re an OZEV-authorised installer and can handle grant applications as part of the installation process.
Ready to install a home EV charger?
We install EV chargers across Bristol and South Gloucestershire. Get in touch and we’ll advise on the right charger for your setup and handle everything from survey to commissioning.
