Charging an electric vehicle from a regular socket, or a new car arriving home with nowhere proper to plug it in. A general-purpose socket was never designed for hours of continuous near-full load, which is exactly what EV charging asks of it, and it’s a genuine fire risk over time.
Why this comes up
A new EV arriving with no dedicated charging point installed yet.
Charging from a regular socket that’s clearly not built for the sustained load.
Wanting faster charging than a standard outlet can safely provide.
A workplace or multi-vehicle household needing more than one charge point.
A household planning to add a second EV and wanting the supply sized for both from the start.
A block of flats or multi-unit property needing a metered, individually billed charging solution.
How we handle it
Assess the incoming supply and main switch rating, since this decides what can actually be fitted.
Agree charger position and cable route with you before starting.
Discuss load management options if the property’s incoming supply is limited, so charging doesn’t compete with the rest of the house.
Install on a dedicated circuit with the correct earthing arrangement for EV charging specifically.
Commission, test, certify, and notify the network operator where required.
What to expect
Usually half a day to a full day. Distance from the consumer unit to the parking space is the main variable, along with whether any supply upgrade is needed. If your property has a limited incoming supply, we’ll talk through load management options rather than defaulting straight to a full supply upgrade, which isn’t always necessary.
What it costs
Charger cost plus installation. Long cable runs and any consumer unit work add to it, and the supply assessment tells us upfront before you commit to anything. Where a supply upgrade is needed, that’s a separate cost from the charger and installation itself, and we’ll always confirm it with you before proceeding.
Common questions
Do I need my supply upgraded?
Sometimes, though load management can often avoid it. We check before quoting rather than assuming you’ll need an upgrade.
Can it go on the existing consumer unit?
Only if there’s a spare way and the board itself is suitable. We check this as part of the assessment.
How long does a full charge take?
Depends on the charger and the vehicle, but a dedicated home charger is dramatically faster than a regular socket, often overnight for a full charge.
Can I install more than one charger for two EVs?
Yes, though it usually means load management between the two so they’re not both drawing full current at once.
Does installing a charger affect my insurance?
Worth checking with your insurer, most simply want confirmation it was installed and certified by a qualified electrician, which we provide.
What is the difference between a 7kW and a 22kW charger?
A 22kW charger needs three-phase power and charges considerably faster, but most homes run on single-phase, which caps practical home charging around 7kW.
Can I get a rebate for installing a home EV charger?
Rebates and incentives change and vary by scheme, worth checking current schemes, we can point you in the right direction when we quote.