The short answer
A typical home EV charger installation costs £800–£1,200 all-in for a straightforward 7 kW wall box, before the £350 OZEV grant reduces that to £450–£850. Complex jobs — long cable runs, consumer unit upgrades or no mains supply near the parking space — can push the total higher. See the OZEV grant guide to check your eligibility.
EV charger prices vary considerably depending on the unit chosen, the distance between the consumer unit and the parking space, the age of the home’s wiring, and whether any groundwork is needed. The £350 OZEV Chargepoint Grant reduces the upfront cost for eligible drivers, and most OZEV-approved installers apply the grant directly so you never see the full price. Understanding the main cost drivers helps you evaluate quotes intelligently and avoid paying over the odds.
EV charger installation cost at a glance
- Typical total (unit + install) £800–£1,200 for a standard 7 kW job
- After £350 OZEV grant £450–£850 typical
- Unit cost alone £300–£600 depending on brand
- Long cable run (extra) £100–£300+ for extra trunking or trenching
- Consumer unit upgrade (if needed) £400–£900 additional
- Quotes to get At least 3 from OZEV-approved installers
What the total installation cost covers
When you receive a quote for a home EV charger, the figure should cover the supply of the charge point unit, all electrical materials (cable, trunking, CU breaker), the labour to install and commission it, and the required electrical certificate under BS 7671. A reputable OZEV-approved installer will apply the £350 grant on your behalf and show the deducted price on the quote. Make sure you know whether the figure quoted is before or after the grant, and whether VAT at the applicable rate is included.
| Cost element | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Charge point unit (7 kW smart) | £300–£600 |
| Electrical installation labour (2–4 hours) | £200–£400 |
| Materials (cable, trunking, breaker) | £80–£200 |
| OZEV grant (deducted) | −£350 |
| Typical net to customer | £450–£850 |
What drives the cost up
Several factors can increase the installation cost beyond the standard range:
- Long cable run: if the consumer unit is at the front of the house and the charging point is at the back or in a detached garage, the cable run may be 15–30+ metres, requiring extra materials and labour — and possibly trenching for underground supply.
- Detached garage: supplying a separate outbuilding often requires a sub-main cable, additional earthing and potentially a separate consumer unit in the garage, adding £300–£600 or more.
- Consumer unit upgrade: older properties without a modern consumer unit, or those with insufficient spare ways, may need an upgrade before the charger circuit can be added — typically £400–£900 for the upgrade alone.
- Supply capacity: if the incoming mains supply is undersized, a DNO (Distribution Network Operator) upgrade may be needed — this is rare but can add weeks and several hundred pounds.
- Ground works: if cable must be buried across a driveway or garden, trenching adds cost and may require reinstatement.
Does the OZEV grant always apply?
The OZEV Chargepoint Grant of £350 is available to eligible drivers — you must have off-street parking, be installing the charger at a home or rented property, and be the registered keeper or have ordered a qualifying plug-in vehicle. It is not available for second homes, and it does not apply if you have claimed a similar grant at the same address before. See the full grant eligibility guide for the complete conditions. The grant is applied by the installer, not by the homeowner directly.
Running costs: what it costs to charge
Beyond the installation cost, day-to-day electricity use is the ongoing consideration. The cost to charge at home guide covers the detail, but as a rough guide: at a typical unit rate of 24p per kWh, a 60 kWh EV costs around £14.40 for a full charge. On an off-peak EV tariff (as low as 7–10p per kWh overnight), the same charge can cost under £6. Smart chargers — required on all new UK installations — make scheduling to off-peak straightforward via an app.
Is it worth paying more for a premium unit?
Premium charge point brands (such as Ohme, Zappi, Myenergi or Pod Point) tend to offer more sophisticated load management, solar integration or app features. A Zappi unit that integrates with solar panels, for instance, can charge your car from excess solar generation rather than grid electricity — useful if you have or plan to install solar PV. Whether the premium is worth it depends on your use case; a standard compliant smart unit from a reputable installer does the job for most drivers. This page gives typical figures as illustrations; actual costs for your installation may differ — always obtain written quotes from OZEV-approved installers for an accurate picture.
Compare installation quotes
Get quotes from OZEV-approved installers to find the right unit and the sharpest price for your home. The grant reduces your upfront cost by £350 when applied by an approved installer.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a 7 kW EV charger installation cost?
A typical 7 kW home installation costs £800–£1,200 before the £350 OZEV grant, leaving most eligible customers paying £450–£850 all-in. Complex jobs with long cable runs or consumer unit upgrades cost more.
Does the price include the charge point unit?
It should do — most installers quote a supply-and-fit price that covers the unit, materials, labour and electrical certificate. Always confirm what is included and whether the OZEV grant has been deducted.
Can I supply my own charger and just pay for labour?
Some installers accept a customer-supplied unit, but many OZEV-approved installers require the unit to come from them to apply the grant and warranty correctly. Check with the installer before purchasing separately.
Are there hidden costs to watch for?
The most common surprises are long cable runs, consumer unit upgrades and groundworks for buried cable. A good installer will identify these in a site survey before giving a final price.
Sources & further reading
- OZEV (Office for Zero Emission Vehicles) — EV Chargepoint Grant eligibility and approved installer scheme
- Energy Saving Trust — Home EV charging cost guidance for UK homeowners
- IET Wiring Regulations (BS 7671) — Electrical installation requirements and certification for EV charge points
- GOV.UK — OZEV Chargepoint Grant terms, conditions and installer requirements 2026
This is general information about home EV charging in the UK, not electrical, planning or installation advice for your specific property. Costs, timescales and specifications vary with your home’s supply, parking arrangement and chosen installer. Always obtain written quotes from OZEV-approved installers and check grant eligibility at GOV.UK before committing.