EV Chargers: FAQs
EV Home Charging is becoming an increasingly popular and more viable option for charging your electric vehicle. It is highly convenient for EV owners and allows electric car drivers peace of mind that their EV will be charged up and ready to go every morning.
As more and more drivers in the UK are purchasing electric vehicles, the government is stepping up its intention to create more EV charging points in the hope to encourage the use of EVs and meet the UK's goal of net-zero by 2050.
This means more public charging points, which is great news for EV drivers, but what about home EV charging points?
For current and prospective EV drivers, there are still many questions and misconceptions about charging your EV at home. To help our customers gain a greater understanding of EV charging, Perth City Electric has put together this helpful FAQ page focused on EV charge points, EV home charging, and the cost of EV charging in the UK.
List of FAQs on EV Charging in Scotland
- Q. Can I install an EV charger at home by myself?
You should not install an EV home charger by yourself unless you’re an experienced electrician and certified, OZEV-approved installer. To have an EV home charger installed, you can contact Perth City Electric who will handle the full installation of your new EV home charger.
- Q. Can I install a fast EV Charger at home?
DC Fast Chargers, also known as rapid charging stations, are generally only installed on commercial or industrial premises. They are far more expensive to install than standard EV chargers and require specialised equipment. This means DC Fast Chargers cannot be installed at home.
- Q. Can anyone use my home EV Charger?
As EV home chargers require a driveway or private parking place, it is very unlikely that anyone will be able to use your home EV charger without your permission. There are also extra security measures you can put in place to stop others from using your home EV charger, such as setting exact times when charging can happen and electronic lock functions.
However, it is possible to make your home EV charger available to the community. This is known as Peer-to-Peer charging, where EV drivers pay a flat fee to use your EV charger if it is available and not needed by you. This is a fantastic way to tackle the lack of public EV chargers in the UK and help reduce "range anxiety" for EV drivers.
- Q. What EV charger can I install at home?
The most common type of charger that is installed at home is a 7KW smart charger. Perth City Electric is an OZEV-approved installer, meaning you have peace of mind that your EV charger will be up to the required industry standard.
- Q. How much does it cost to install an EV charger at home?
The standard cost of installing an EV charger at home is between £900-1200, depending on your installer. Perth City Electric can install a standard 7KW charger for £980, but there are a range of government grants to support you in the cost of EV Home Chargers.
- Q. What is a DNO application and do I need one?
A DNO application stands for Distribution Network Operator and is needed when domestic customers install any solar power system, such as EV charging infrastructure, onto their property. It's essential to have an approved DNO application if you wish to install an EV charger at your home in Scotland. Luckily, Perth City Electric is well versed in the application process and can help you every step of the way to ensure you are approved and can legally have your new EV charger installed at your home.
- Q. Which EV charger is the fastest?
There are three main types of EV charging speeds, these are:
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Slow charging – done with a standard three-prong 220V plug that comes with your EV. We don’t recommend this type of charging for any EV owner unless it’s an emergency
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Fast Charging – also known as AC charging, this is the standard type of charging for EV home chargers.
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Rapid Charging – also known as DC charging, you will only find rapid charging stations in public, commercial, or industrial charging points.
- Q. Is EV charging free?
The short answer is; that it depends.
Some public charging stations are free for customers to use, for example, charging stations in supermarket car parks. The cost of using your EV home charger will depend on your standard electricity charge.
- Q. How to find public EV chargers?
There are some helpful apps that make finding public EV chargers simple and easy for EV owners. Zap-Map is one that we can recommend, but there are many others out there.
- Q. What government schemes are available for installing EV chargers at home?
The government has rolled out a series of schemes to help EV owners install EV chargers at home. Currently, there are three schemes in place. There are:
All the schemes are targeted toward different types of EV owners.
Find out if you’re eligible for any of these government schemes.
- Q. Can I drive an electric car without having an EV charger at home?
Yes, you can absolutely own and drive an EV without having an EV charger installed at your home. You simply have to rely on public charging points to keep your EV topped up (much like we do with standard petrol cars).
- Q. Can I install an EV charger if I live in rented accommodation?
Yes, the new EV Charge Point Grant is targeted toward people who live in rented accommodation. To qualify for the grant, you must have permission from your landlord or building owner and have dedicated off-street parking.
- Q. Can I install an EV charger if I live in a flat or apartment block?
Yes, the new EV Charge Point Grant is targeted toward homeowners who live in flats. To qualify for the grant, you must have dedicated off-street parking.
- Q. Is it okay to leave my electric car plugged in all the time?
Leaving your EV charging overnight is the most common method for charging your EV at home. This way you will wake up to a fully charged car every morning.
Electric cars have safe charging measures in place to prevent the battery from being overcharged, so it’s okay to leave your EV plugged in for long stretches at a time.
- Q. Who can install an EV charger at my home?
Only an OZEV-approved installer of EV charging points can install an EV charger at your home. Perth City Electric is an experienced electrical company and an OZEV-approved installer, making us the perfect choice for installing your home EV charger.