If you’re switching to an electric vehicle, you’ve probably thought about home charging. The good news is, getting a wall-mounted EV charger installed is more straightforward than most people think.
Here’s a simple, step-by-step guide to what’s involved—based on real experience, with no jargon.
1. You’ll Need Off-Street Parking
To install a home charger, you’ll need a driveway, garage, or a private parking space close enough to your home. You’ll also need a nearby wall or post to mount the charger—ideally clear of plants, bins, or other clutter.
2. Choosing the Right Charger
Most homes use a 7.4kW wallbox charger, which gives a good balance of speed and affordability—ideal for overnight charging.
You’ll also be asked if you want:
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Tethered: The charging cable is built in—great for convenience.
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Untethered: You use your own cable—tidier and works with any EV.
Some chargers offer both in one unit or let you charge two vehicles, so there’s something for everyone.
3. What Happens Before Installation?
Before your appointment, you’ll usually be asked to send some photos of your electricity meter, consumer unit (fuse box), and the preferred charger location. This helps the installer plan ahead and avoid surprises.
If your home’s wiring is modern (post-1960s), you likely won’t need major upgrades.
4. Delivery and Installation Day
Once everything’s confirmed, your charger is delivered (or brought by the installer), and installation usually takes around half a day.
A qualified installer will:
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Drill safely through an external wall to route the power cable
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Mount and connect the charger neatly
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Check everything is safe and working
Your electricity might go off briefly during final connection—nothing to worry about, and they’ll give you a heads-up.
5. Using Your Charger
Your installer will guide you through setup. Most chargers are app-controlled, letting you:
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Charge immediately or schedule for off-peak times
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Monitor energy use
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Stop/start charging remotely
If the charger is far from your Wi-Fi router, there may be a short delay between app commands and the charger responding—but this won’t stop it working.
6. Tracking Energy Use
The app will show how much energy your car is using. Some apps show this in kilowatts (kW), others in watts (W)—so don’t panic if the numbers look big. You’ll also see a summary of each charging session in kilowatt-hours (kWh), so you can track usage over time.
7. A Few Final Tips
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Some chargers have bright lights when idle—if yours is a bit too dazzling at night, a bit of electrical tape can help dim it down.
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If you’re unsure about using the charger at first, just ask your installer—they’re there to help and should be happy to explain everything.
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