A fitted 7kW home EV charger typically costs about £800 to £1,200 in the UK in 2026, and more if the electrical supply needs upgrading or the cable run is long. Grants are mainly aimed at renters, flat owners and landlords, so check eligibility before you order.
New homes in England with parking must have a charge point under Part S of the Building Regulations. Retrofit chargers should be installed by a registered electrician.
Choosing a charger
- Power: 7kW single-phase is the usual home choice and charges most cars overnight. Three-phase supply allows faster charging but is rarer in homes.
- Tethered or untethered: a tethered unit has a fixed cable. An untethered unit has a socket and uses your own cable, which keeps the unit tidier.
- Smart features: chargers sold for home use in Great Britain must meet the smart charge point regulations, which cover things such as scheduling and security. Smart features also let you charge on cheap overnight tariffs.
- Solar compatibility: some chargers can charge from surplus solar generation. Ask if this matters to you.
What does it cost?
| Item | Indicative cost (2026) |
|---|---|
| Standard 7kW install | About £800 to £1,200 including the unit |
| Longer cable runs, groundwork or fuse board work | Can add several hundred pounds or more |
| London and South East | Some guides put the range at about £900 to £1,500 |
Figures come from installer and price-comparison guides and vary. Get written quotes.
Grants
The OZEV EV Chargepoint Grant is aimed at renters, flat owners, landlords and some on-street parking situations rather than owner-occupied houses with off-street parking. Gov.uk states the grant for flats, renters and residential landlords is up to £500 per socket from 1 April 2026 (up from £350), with funding ending on 31 March 2027. Confirm the current terms on gov.uk before ordering, and do not buy a charger before you are told you are eligible. Older Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme figures you may see online are out of date.
Regulations
- New builds (Part S): in England, each new home with associated parking must have a charge point of at least 7kW, with requirements for other building types too. See the UK Building Regs guide and our Building Regulations checker.
- Electrical work: installation is notifiable under Part P and should be done by a registered electrician, often one approved for the grant you are using.
- Planning: wall-mounted chargers are often permitted development, with conditions, and standalone upstands have different limits. Listed buildings and conservation areas need checking. See the permitted development checker.
- Supply capacity: your installer assesses whether your supply can take the load, and whether the network operator needs to be told.
Pairing a charger with solar and a battery
Charging from your own solar avoids the import price, which is about 26.3p per kWh on average under the Ofgem price cap for October to December 2026. In practice, most households charge overnight on a cheap tariff, so a battery or a solar-aware charger helps only if the car is at home during the day. See the Solar PV guide.
Choosing an installer
- Use an installer registered with a competent person scheme, or approved for the grant you are claiming.
- Ask for a fixed price covering the unit, cable runs, any consumer unit work and the notification.
- Check that the unit meets the smart charge point requirements and has a warranty.
- Keep the electrical certificate.
Sources and further reading
- GOV.UK: changes to EV chargepoint grant schemes from 1 April 2026 Grant amounts and funding end date
- Ofgem: energy price cap and standing charges Electricity unit rates and standing charges
External links open in a new tab. Last checked October 2026.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to install a home EV charger in the UK?
Typically about 800 to 1,200 pounds for a fitted 7kW charger in 2026, more where the cable run is long or the electrical supply needs work.
Can I get a grant for a home EV charger?
Grants are mainly aimed at renters, flat owners and landlords rather than owner-occupied houses with off-street parking. Terms have changed, so check gov.uk before ordering.
Do new homes have to have an EV charger?
In England, new homes with associated parking must have a charge point under Part S of the Building Regulations.
Do I need planning permission for an EV charger?
Wall-mounted chargers are often permitted development with conditions, but listed buildings and conservation areas need checking.
Can I charge my car from solar panels?
Yes, with a solar-aware charger or a battery, but most charging happens overnight, so the savings depend on when the car is at home.