Charging an electric vehicle from a standard 13A socket (Mode 2 charging) is slow — roughly 6–8 miles of range per hour. A dedicated home wallbox (Mode 3 charging) delivers 7.4kW or 22kW, adding 25–75 miles per hour. For most EV owners, a home charger transforms day-to-day ownership. But the installation requires a qualified electrician — and, since January 2023, it must be carried out by an Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) authorised installer.
The Smart Charger Requirement
Since June 2022, all new home EV chargers installed in Great Britain must be "smart" — capable of receiving and responding to signals to shift demand away from peak hours. This is mandated under The Electric Vehicles (Smart Charge Points) Regulations 2021. A smart charger connects to your home Wi-Fi and can be set to charge overnight on a cheap electricity tariff, and to pause or shift charging during grid peak periods.
"From 30 June 2022, new charge points for domestic use must comply with smart functionality requirements, including scheduling, demand response, and energy consumption data."— GOV.UK — Electric Vehicle Smart Charging Guidance
The EV Chargepoint Grant
OZEV administers the EV Chargepoint Grant, which provides a 75% discount (up to £350) on the cost of purchase and installation for eligible homes. Eligibility is restricted to homeowners and private tenants with dedicated off-street parking. The charger must be purchased from an approved product list and installed by an OZEV-authorised installer — the installer applies for the grant on your behalf, so you never see the full cost.
"You can use the EV chargepoint grant to get money off a chargepoint for your home. The grant provides 75% off the cost of installing a chargepoint, up to a maximum of £350."— GOV.UK — Government Grants for Low Emission Vehicles
What the Installation Involves
A standard installation includes: a survey of your consumer unit and incoming supply capacity; a dedicated circuit from consumer unit to the charger location; the charger unit itself (typically flush-mounted on an external wall or in a garage); earthing arrangements to BS 7671 (including a PME earthing check if applicable); and commissioning and app setup. For older properties where the consumer unit is near capacity, an upgrade may be needed first — the installer will advise.
Tethered vs Untethered Chargers
A tethered charger has the cable permanently attached, which is more convenient for most homeowners. An untethered (socketed) charger lets you use different cable lengths or switch cables between vehicles — useful if you own more than one EV with different connector types (Type 1 vs Type 2). Most UK EV chargers use a Type 2 (Mennekes) socket.
Finding an OZEV-Authorised Installer
Using a non-OZEV installer makes you ineligible for the grant and means the work may not meet the regulatory requirements. The OZEV installer database is publicly searchable at ozev.gov.uk. Many NICEIC- and NAPIT-registered electricians hold OZEV authorisation — check both registrations before booking.
"Only OZEV-authorised installers can access the EV chargepoint grant on behalf of their customers. Ensure your installer is listed on the scheme before work starts."— OZEV — Office for Zero Emission Vehicles
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