EV Charger Installation Cost: Home Charging Point Prices & Grants 2026

If you are thinking about switching to an electric vehicle, or you already own one, understanding the EV charger installation cost is one of the first practical steps. The good news: home charging is more affordable than most people expect, particularly when government grants are factored in. A typical home charging point, fully installed, costs between £800 and £1,200 after grants in 2026.

This guide breaks down every cost involved, from the charger hardware itself through to installation labour, government incentives, ongoing running costs, and the long-term savings you can expect. Whether you are in Brighton, Eastbourne, or Hastings, these figures reflect real-world pricing for professionally installed EV chargers in the South East.

Charger Hardware Costs

The charger unit is the single biggest hardware expense. Prices vary depending on power output, features, and brand. Here is what to expect in 2026.

Basic 7kW Charger

A basic 7kW charger provides a reliable overnight charge for almost every electric vehicle on sale today. These units cover the essentials without the smart features.

• Typical cost: £400 -- £700
• Best for: Budget-conscious buyers who simply want a dependable home charger
• Limitations: No app control, no scheduling, no energy monitoring

Note that basic chargers are not eligible for the OZEV grant, which requires smart functionality.

Smart 7kW Charger

Smart 7kW chargers are the most popular choice for UK homes. They connect to WiFi, offer app control, and support scheduled charging to take advantage of cheaper overnight electricity tariffs.

• Typical cost: £700 -- £1,000
• Best for: Most households, particularly those on time-of-use tariffs like Octopus Go
• Brands we install: Easee, Ohme, Zappi, Pod Point, Wallbox

Smart chargers are required if you want to claim the OZEV grant, and we strongly recommend them regardless. The ability to schedule charging during off-peak hours typically saves the price difference within the first year.

22kW Three-Phase Charger

A 22kW charger is roughly three times faster than a 7kW unit, but it requires a three-phase electricity supply. Most UK homes are single-phase. If your property does have three-phase power, or you are considering a three-phase installation, this is a worthwhile option.

• Typical cost: £1,200 -- £1,800
• Best for: High-mileage drivers, commercial premises, properties with existing three-phase supply
• Charging speed: Adds roughly 90 miles of range per hour compared to 30 miles on a 7kW charger

Installation Costs

The installation cost covers labour, cabling, containment, testing, and certification. It varies depending on the complexity of your property and the distance between your consumer unit and the charger location.

Simple Installation

A simple installation is one where the charger mounts on an exterior wall within 5 metres of the consumer unit, with a clear cable route and no structural obstacles.

• Typical cost: £300 -- £600
• Includes: Dedicated circuit from consumer unit, cable and trunking, wall mounting, testing and commissioning, Part P notification, electrical installation certificate

Complex Installation

A complex installation involves longer cable runs, difficult access, ground works, or additional electrical upgrades.

• Typical cost: £800 -- £1,500
• Common reasons for higher cost: Cable runs exceeding 10 metres, routing through multiple rooms or floors, crossing a driveway or patio (requiring ducting and reinstatement), charger mounted on an outbuilding or separate garage

Factors Affecting Installation Price

Several variables determine where your installation falls on the cost spectrum:

• Distance from consumer unit to charger -- every additional metre of cable and containment adds cost
• Cable routing complexity -- internal routes through walls and floors cost more than a direct external run
• Consumer unit condition -- older fuse boxes without RCD protection may need a consumer unit upgrade, adding £400-£800
• Earthing and bonding -- properties with outdated earthing arrangements may require an upgrade to meet current regulations
• DNO permissions -- some installations require notification to the Distribution Network Operator if the main supply needs upgrading

Total Installed Price

Combining hardware and installation, here is a realistic picture of total costs in 2026.

For most homeowners choosing a smart 7kW charger with a straightforward installation, the grant-adjusted total falls between £800 and £1,200. This is the figure the majority of our customers in Brighton and Eastbourne pay.

Government Grants for EV Chargers

The UK government continues to support the transition to electric vehicles through the OZEV EV chargepoint grant, administered by the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles.

OZEV Grant 2026 Status

The OZEV grant provides up to £350 towards the purchase and installation of a home chargepoint. As of 2026, the grant is available to:

• Renters with dedicated off-street parking
• Residents of flats (including leasehold and shared ownership)
• Landlords installing chargepoints at rental properties

Owner-occupiers of single-unit houses (detached, semi-detached, terraced) are no longer eligible for the standard grant. However, the scheme rules have changed several times, and additional programmes may apply depending on your circumstances.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for the OZEV grant, you need:

• Dedicated off-street parking at your property
• The charger must be a smart charger with internet connectivity
• Installation must be carried out by an OZEV-approved installer
• One grant per parking space, up to two per property

How We Handle the Application

As an OZEV-approved installer, D J Fox Electrical manages the entire grant process. We verify your eligibility during the free site survey, submit the application on your behalf, and deduct the grant from your invoice. You never need to deal with the paperwork directly.

Grant amounts and eligibility change periodically. We always check the latest requirements before quoting to ensure you receive every penny you are entitled to.

Installation Complexity Factors

Understanding what makes an installation simple or complex helps you anticipate costs before the site survey.

Distance to Consumer Unit

The single biggest factor in installation cost is the cable run length. A charger mounted on the same wall as your consumer unit might need only 3 metres of cable. A charger on a detached garage 20 metres away needs significantly more cable, containment, and labour.

Cable Routing

Internal routes (through walls, ceilings, and floors) cost more than external routes because they require chasing plaster, drilling through masonry, and making good afterwards. The most cost-effective route is usually an external run along the outside wall, protected by weather-rated trunking.

Earthing Upgrades

Properties built before the mid-1960s may have TN-C-S earthing or, in some cases, no earth at all. Modern EV charger installations require a TN-S or TN-C-S earthing arrangement with adequate earth fault loop impedance. If your earthing needs upgrading, this adds £200-£500 to the project.

Consumer Unit Capacity

A 7kW EV charger draws 32 amps and requires a dedicated circuit with its own RCBO. If your consumer unit is full, has no spare ways, or is an older model without adequate RCD protection, a consumer unit upgrade is required. This is especially common in older properties across East Sussex.

Main Supply Assessment

Most UK homes have a 100A main supply, which is sufficient for a 7kW charger alongside normal household loads. If your main fuse is rated at 60A or 80A, it may need upgrading through your Distribution Network Operator. This is free of charge but can add 2-4 weeks to the project timeline.

Ongoing Costs: What You Will Pay to Charge

Once installed, the running cost of charging an EV at home is remarkably low compared to petrol or public charging.

Cost Per Full Charge

The cost to fully charge an electric car at home depends on your battery size and electricity tariff.

A typical charge from 20% to 80% costs between £8 and £12 on a standard tariff. On an off-peak tariff, that drops to £2 to £4.

Home Tariff Optimisation

Switching to a time-of-use electricity tariff is the single most effective way to reduce charging costs. Tariffs like Octopus Go offer rates as low as 7p per kWh between 12:30am and 4:30am. With a smart charger, you plug in whenever you arrive home and the charger automatically waits until the cheap rate starts.

Even if your daytime rate is slightly higher than a flat-rate tariff, the savings on overnight EV charging more than compensate.

ROI Calculation: Home Charging vs Public Charging

Installing a home charger is an investment. Here is how the numbers work out.

Annual Fuel Cost Comparison

Based on 10,000 miles per year in a typical EV (3.5 miles per kWh):

Payback Period

If you drive 10,000 miles per year and charge exclusively at home on an off-peak tariff instead of using public rapid chargers:

• Annual saving: £1,800 (£2,000 minus £200)
• Installation cost after grant: £1,000 (typical)
• Payback period: approximately 7 months

Even comparing home charging on a standard tariff against petrol, you save roughly £520 per year, giving a payback period of under two years. Over the 10-15 year lifespan of a home charger, the total saving is substantial: between £6,000 and £15,000 depending on your tariff and mileage.

Smart Charger Benefits

We recommend smart chargers to every customer, and not just because the OZEV grant requires them. The practical benefits are significant.

Off-Peak Charging

Smart chargers let you schedule charging sessions to coincide with cheaper electricity rates. Set it once in the app and forget about it. The charger handles the rest, every night, automatically.

Solar Integration

If you have solar panels, a smart charger like the Zappi can divert excess solar generation directly into your car battery. This means free daytime charging from energy that would otherwise be exported to the grid. On a sunny day, you could add 30-50 miles of range without spending a penny.

Octopus and Intelligent Tariff Integration

Chargers from Ohme and certain other brands integrate directly with Octopus Energy's Intelligent Go tariff. The energy supplier and the charger communicate automatically, finding the cheapest half-hour slots overnight to charge your vehicle. Some customers report effective rates below 7p per kWh.

Energy Monitoring

Smart charger apps track exactly how much energy you use and what it costs. This data helps you optimise your charging habits, compare tariffs, and understand your true running costs.

Load Balancing

Smart chargers monitor your home's total electrical load in real time. If you switch on the oven, kettle, and shower simultaneously, the charger automatically reduces its power draw to prevent your main fuse from tripping. This is particularly important for homes with 60A or 80A supplies.

Local EV Charger Installers: Brighton, Eastbourne, and Hastings

D J Fox Electrical provides professional EV charger installation across Sussex. As an NICEIC Approved Contractor and OZEV-approved installer, we offer the full package: expert advice, transparent pricing, professional installation, and ongoing support.

Our Coverage

• Brighton -- Kemp Town, Rottingdean, Saltdean, Patcham, Woodingdean, Hove, Portslade
• Eastbourne -- Old Town, Meads, Upperton, Willingdon, Langney, Sovereign Harbour
• Hastings -- St Leonards, Bexhill, Battle, Rye

We also cover Lewes, Hailsham, Seaford, Peacehaven, Newhaven, Crowborough, Heathfield, and surrounding villages.

What Is Included

Every D J Fox Electrical EV charger installation includes:

• Free pre-installation site survey
• Supply and installation of your chosen charger
• Dedicated circuit from consumer unit to charger
• All cable, trunking, and fixings
• Testing and commissioning
• Part P Building Regulations notification
• Electrical installation certificate
• Charger registration and app setup assistance
• OZEV grant application (where eligible)
• 12-month workmanship guarantee

The Process

1. Get in touch -- Request a quote online or call us on [PLACEHOLDER]. Tell us about your vehicle, property, and parking setup.
2. Free site survey -- We visit your home, inspect the consumer unit, measure cable runs, and assess your electrical supply.
3. Fixed-price quote -- You receive a clear, itemised quote including any grant deductions. No hidden extras.
4. Installation -- Our qualified electrician installs your charger, typically in 3-5 hours.
5. Handover -- We test the installation, issue certificates, set up your charger app, and walk you through everything.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to install an EV charger at home in 2026?

A typical home EV charger installation costs between £1,000 and £1,600 before grants. With the OZEV grant of up to £350 (where eligible), the grant-adjusted price for most homeowners is £800 to £1,200. This covers a smart 7kW charger and standard installation within 5 metres of the consumer unit.

Is the OZEV grant still available in 2026?

Yes. The OZEV EV chargepoint grant remains available in 2026 for renters, residents of flats, and landlords. Owner-occupiers of single-unit houses are not currently eligible for the standard grant. As an OZEV-approved installer, we check the latest eligibility criteria and handle the application for you.

How long does EV charger installation take?

A standard installation takes 3-5 hours and is completed in a single visit. More complex installations involving consumer unit upgrades, long cable runs, or ground works may take a full day.

What is the cheapest way to charge an electric car at home?

Switch to a time-of-use electricity tariff such as Octopus Go and use a smart charger to schedule charging during off-peak hours. At 7p per kWh, a full charge costs as little as £2.80 to £5.40 depending on battery size. This is roughly one-tenth the cost of a public rapid charger.

Do I need to upgrade my consumer unit for an EV charger?

Not always. If your consumer unit has a spare way and adequate RCD protection, a 7kW charger can be added without upgrading. Older units without spare capacity or without modern safety devices will need upgrading. We assess this during the free site survey and include any upgrade costs in your quote.

Will an EV charger add value to my home?

Yes. Estate agents report that a professionally installed EV charger is an increasingly desirable feature for buyers. As EV adoption continues to grow, a home charging point is becoming as expected as a driveway or garage. The installation cost is typically recovered in full through increased property value.

Get Your EV Charger Quote

Home EV charging is the most convenient and cost-effective way to run an electric vehicle. With a typical installed price of £800 to £1,200 after grants, payback in under two years, and annual savings of £600 to £1,800 compared to public charging or petrol, the investment makes clear financial sense.

D J Fox Electrical is your local, NICEIC Approved, OZEV-approved EV charger installer serving Brighton, Eastbourne, Hastings, and the whole of Sussex. We provide free site surveys, transparent fixed-price quotes, and professional installation backed by a 12-month workmanship guarantee.

Request your free EV charger quote today or call us on [PLACEHOLDER]. We will arrange a site survey at a time that suits you and provide a clear, no-obligation quote including any grant deductions.