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.

EV Charger Installation: What to Expect on the Day

What to Expect on EV Charger Installation Day

For most homeowners, an EV charger installation is one of the easier home improvements they'll commission — typically a 2–4 hour job by a single engineer with minimal disruption. But knowing what happens and what to prepare can make the day run more smoothly. This guide walks through the complete ALPS Electrical EV charger installation process, from pre-visit preparation to the documentation you receive at the end.

Before the Installation: What to Prepare

In the days before installation, your installer should confirm:

Charger location: The wall where the charger will be mounted (typically the exterior wall of the garage, or a side wall facing the driveway). The closer to the consumer unit, the simpler and cheaper the cable run.
Cable route: Whether the cable runs internally (through the garage ceiling/wall, through the property) or externally (surface-mounted conduit on the exterior wall). Internal routing is neater; external is quicker.
Consumer unit access: Clear access to your fuseboard so the engineer can install the new circuit breaker and run the cable to the charger location.
Wi-Fi details: Most smart chargers require connection to your home Wi-Fi during commissioning. Have your network name and password to hand.
OZEV eligibility: If you are claiming the £350 OZEV grant, your installer needs your vehicle registration number to confirm eligibility.

The Installation Process: Step by Step

A standard domestic EV charger installation follows this sequence:

Site assessment (15–20 minutes): The engineer inspects the consumer unit, confirms the cable route, and checks that the installation matches the pre-survey assessment. Any unexpected issues (limited spare ways in the consumer unit, difficult cable route) are identified and discussed before work starts.
Cable installation (45–90 minutes): A 6mm² or 10mm² twin-and-earth cable is run from the consumer unit to the charger location. This is the most variable part of the job — a short, direct run through a garage takes 45 minutes; a complex route through multiple rooms or a long external run takes longer.
Circuit protection installation (15–30 minutes): A dedicated 32A MCB or RCBO is fitted in the consumer unit for the EV charger circuit. Surge protection is fitted if required.
Charger mounting and wiring (20–30 minutes): The charger unit is fixed to the wall at the chosen location and the supply cable is connected internally.
Commissioning and app setup (20–30 minutes): The charger is powered on, connected to your Wi-Fi, and the app is configured. For Ohme, this includes Octopus Energy API connection if you're an Octopus customer. For Zappi, solar divert mode is configured if you have solar panels. Test charging is confirmed.
Paperwork (15 minutes): You receive the Electrical Installation Certificate, OZEV grant claim confirmation, and charger manufacturer warranty documentation.

Total time for a standard installation: 2–3.5 hours.

What Paperwork Do You Receive?

A compliant EV charger installation generates the following documentation:

Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC): Confirms the electrical work complies with BS 7671. NAPIT-registered contractors issue this directly — you don't need a separate building control certificate.
NAPIT notification confirmation: Your local council building control is notified automatically by NAPIT on your behalf.
OZEV grant confirmation: If applicable, confirmation that the grant application has been submitted and approved.
Charger manufacturer warranty card or registration: Typically registered online by the engineer during commissioning.

Keep the EIC with your property documents — it is required at property sale and by mortgage lenders.

Book an EV Charger Installation in the North East

ALPS Electrical installs Zappi, Ohme, Tesla Wall Connector, Wallbox, Easee and other leading EV chargers across Teesside, County Durham and North Yorkshire. We handle all OZEV grant applications on your behalf. Contact us for a free installation quote — most surveys can be completed remotely in 15 minutes.