How much does EV charger installation cost?

A typical home EV charger installation costs between £800 and £1,200 depending on the charger model and cable run distance. This includes the charger unit, all cabling, installation and commissioning. The OZEV grant covers up to £350, bringing the net cost down to £450-£850. Longer cable runs or consumer unit upgrades (if required) may add to the cost.

What is the OZEV grant and how do I claim it?

The OZEV (Office for Zero Emission Vehicles) grant provides up to £350 towards the cost of installing a home EV charger. To qualify, you need an eligible electric vehicle, off-street parking, and the charger must be installed by an OZEV-approved installer like ALPS Electrical. We handle the entire grant application process — you simply pay the reduced price.

Which EV charger is best for home use?

The best EV charger depends on your priorities. The MyEnergi Zappi is ideal if you have solar panels as it can divert excess solar energy to your car. The Ohme Home Pro offers the best smart tariff integration for cheap overnight charging. The Tesla Wall Connector is the premium choice for Tesla owners. The Wallbox Pulsar Max offers excellent build quality and smart features. We can advise on the best charger for your specific setup.

Can I charge my EV from solar panels?

Yes, and this is one of the most satisfying aspects of having both solar and an EV. A MyEnergi Zappi charger can automatically divert excess solar energy to your car, giving you genuinely free motoring. On a sunny day, a 4kW solar system can add 15-20 miles of range per hour of charging. Combined with battery storage, you can store daytime solar energy and charge your car overnight from the battery.

What is the difference between tethered and untethered EV chargers?

A tethered charger has the cable permanently attached (like a petrol pump), so you simply grab the cable and plug in. An untethered (socketed) charger requires you to use your own cable. Tethered is more convenient for home use. Most chargers are available in both options. The Zappi, Ohme Home Pro and Wallbox Pulsar Max are all available tethered.

How much does EV charger installation cost?

A typical home EV charger installation costs between £800 and £1,200 depending on the charger model and cable run distance. This includes the charger unit, all cabling, installation and commissioning. The OZEV grant covers up to £350, bringing the net cost down to £450-£850. Longer cable runs or consumer unit upgrades (if required) may add to the cost.

What is the OZEV grant and how do I claim it?

The OZEV (Office for Zero Emission Vehicles) grant provides up to £350 towards the cost of installing a home EV charger. To qualify, you need an eligible electric vehicle, off-street parking, and the charger must be installed by an OZEV-approved installer like ALPS Electrical. We handle the entire grant application process — you simply pay the reduced price.

Which EV charger is best for home use?

The best EV charger depends on your priorities. The MyEnergi Zappi is ideal if you have solar panels as it can divert excess solar energy to your car. The Ohme Home Pro offers the best smart tariff integration for cheap overnight charging. The Tesla Wall Connector is the premium choice for Tesla owners. The Wallbox Pulsar Max offers excellent build quality and smart features. We can advise on the best charger for your specific setup.

Can I charge my EV from solar panels?

Yes, and this is one of the most satisfying aspects of having both solar and an EV. A MyEnergi Zappi charger can automatically divert excess solar energy to your car, giving you genuinely free motoring. On a sunny day, a 4kW solar system can add 15-20 miles of range per hour of charging. Combined with battery storage, you can store daytime solar energy and charge your car overnight from the battery.

What is the difference between tethered and untethered EV chargers?

A tethered charger has the cable permanently attached (like a petrol pump), so you simply grab the cable and plug in. An untethered (socketed) charger requires you to use your own cable. Tethered is more convenient for home use. Most chargers are available in both options. The Zappi, Ohme Home Pro and Wallbox Pulsar Max are all available tethered.

Home EV Charger Installation: Complete UK Guide 2026

Home EV Charger Installation: The Complete 2026 Guide

The UK now has over one million electric vehicles on the road, and home charging has become the standard way most EV drivers charge their cars. A home charger is significantly faster than a three-pin plug socket, dramatically cheaper than public charging, and — when paired with solar panels — can allow you to charge your car for free from your own generated electricity.

At ALPS Electrical, we are an OZEV-approved EV charger installer serving Teesside and the North East. This guide covers everything from choosing the right charger to understanding the installation process.

Why You Need a Dedicated Home Charger

Charging from a standard 13-amp socket (the "granny charger" approach) delivers only 2.3kW — about 8–10 miles of range per hour. A dedicated home charger running at 7.4kW delivers 25–30 miles of range per hour, meaning a typical overnight charge of 8 hours adds 200+ miles. For most EV drivers, a home charger transforms the ownership experience.

Choosing the Right EV Charger

MyEnergi Zappi

The Zappi is the only mainstream charger purpose-built for solar panel integration. In Eco+ mode, it charges your car only from surplus solar generation, using electricity that would otherwise be exported at lower SEG rates. When solar isn't available, it switches to grid charging at full speed. The ideal choice for solar-equipped homes. Approximately £850–£1,200 fully installed (after OZEV grant).

Ohme Home Pro

The Ohme Home Pro excels at smart tariff management. Direct API integration with Octopus Energy delivers genuinely automatic cheap-rate charging with no manual scheduling required. Strong solar integration via CT clamp. Approximately £700–£1,100 fully installed.

Tesla Wall Connector

The natural choice for Tesla owners. Sleek design, reliable performance, integrated scheduling through the Tesla app. Can charge at up to 11kW with compatible Tesla models. Less smart tariff functionality than Ohme or Zappi but excellent performance. Approximately £800–£1,200 fully installed.

Wallbox Pulsar Max

Compact, premium design with good connectivity and reliable performance. Pairs well with Octopus Go. Available in 7.4kW and 22kW versions. Good choice for homeowners who want quality hardware with less emphasis on solar integration. Approximately £800–£1,150 fully installed.

The OZEV Grant

The OZEV Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme (EVHS) provides a grant of up to £350 towards the cost of a home EV charger installation for those who own or lease an eligible electric or plug-in hybrid vehicle. The grant applies to the total installed cost including hardware and labour. As an OZEV-approved installer, we process the grant on your behalf — you simply pay the net price and never handle the paperwork.

Installation Requirements

Most homes are straightforward to install a charger. You need: a suitable outdoor or garage location near your car's parking space; a consumer unit with capacity for an additional circuit (most modern boards have space); and an appropriate electricity supply capacity (most homes with standard 80–100A supply are fine). Some older properties may need a consumer unit upgrade first — we assess this during our free pre-installation survey.

Installation Process

A standard home EV charger installation takes 3–5 hours. We install a dedicated circuit from your consumer unit, run the appropriate cable to the charger location, mount the unit, configure the smart features, and register the installation with OZEV. You receive an Electrical Installation Certificate on completion. Most installations are carried out in a single visit with no disruption to your domestic electricity supply during the majority of the work.

Pairing Your Charger with Solar

If you have or are considering solar panels, a smart charger capable of solar divert (Zappi or Ohme) can charge your car primarily from your own generated electricity. A 4kW solar system generates approximately 3,500–4,000 kWh/year in the North East — enough to charge a typical EV for 10,000–14,000 miles, essentially for free. The combination of solar, battery storage and a smart EV charger is the most financially effective home energy setup available. Contact us for a free EV charger installation quote across Teesside and the North East.