How to Charge an Electric Car at Home

For most electric vehicle owners, charging at home is the easiest and usually the most cost-effective way to keep the battery topped up.

Instead of relying on public chargers for everyday driving, you can plug in when you arrive home, charge overnight and start the next day with the range you need.

The main home charging options are:

A professionally installed 7kW smart wallbox
A Mode 2 portable charger connected to a suitable domestic socket
A 7kW portable charger connected to a correctly installed CEE socket
A higher-powered wallbox where the property has a suitable three-phase electricity supply

This guide explains how each option works, how quickly it can charge, what equipment you need and which setup is likely to suit your home and driving habits.

The quick answer

For most UK EV drivers, the best regular home charging setup is a professionally installed 7kW smart wallbox.

A 7kW wallbox is considerably faster than charging from a domestic socket and is well suited to overnight charging. It can also provide smart scheduling features that allow you to charge during cheaper off-peak periods.

A Mode 2 portable charger can be useful for backup, occasional charging or some plug-in hybrids. It is much slower than a wallbox and should only be used with a suitable socket and electrical installation.

A 7kW CEE plug charger provides another option where a correctly installed industrial socket is available.

A 22kW wallbox is only relevant where the property has a three-phase electricity supply and the vehicle can accept higher AC charging speeds.

Home EV charging options compared

Comparison of common home EV charging methods in the UK
Charging method	Typical power	Installation required?	Best suited to
Mode 2 portable charger	Around 2.3kW	No fixed charger installation, but the socket must be suitable	Backup and occasional charging
7kW CEE plug charger	Around 7kW	Correctly installed CEE socket required	Flexible 7kW charging
7kW smart wallbox	Around 7kW	Professional installation required	Regular home charging
22kW wallbox	Up to 22kW	Three-phase supply and professional installation required	Compatible properties and vehicles

Charging speed varies according to the vehicle, battery size, temperature, charger, cable and the maximum AC charging rate the car can accept.

Home charging: the key points

Choose a 7kW smart wallbox for regular home charging.
Use a portable EV charger for backup or occasional charging.
Consider a CEE plug charger where a suitable industrial socket is professionally installed.
Choose a Type 2 cable if your home wallbox is untethered.

A 22kW wallbox is only suitable where the property has three-phase electricity and the vehicle can accept higher AC charging speeds.

Charging with a 7kW home EV charger

A dedicated home EV charger, often called a wallbox, is the most practical option for most UK EV drivers with off-street parking.

Most domestic wallboxes provide around 7kW using a standard single-phase electricity supply.

That is roughly three times faster than charging from a domestic socket. For many vehicles, a 7kW charger can add approximately 20 to 30 miles of range per hour, although the actual figure depends on vehicle efficiency and charging conditions.

A 40kWh battery may take around six hours to charge from a low state of charge, while a larger 60kWh battery may take roughly eight or nine hours.

In everyday use, most drivers do not charge from 0% to 100% each night. Home charging is normally a matter of replacing the energy used during the day, making a 7kW wallbox more than sufficient for most households.

Why choose a smart wallbox?

Many modern wallboxes include smart features that allow you to:

Schedule charging
Use cheaper overnight electricity
Monitor energy use
Control charging through an app
Delay charging until off-peak periods
Integrate charging with some solar or home energy systems

A smart wallbox can be particularly useful if you are on an EV electricity tariff with cheaper overnight rates.

Depending on the charger and tariff, you may also need a compatible smart meter, internet connection or specific vehicle integration.

Browse 7kW home EV chargers for regular overnight charging.

Charging from a domestic 3-pin socket

A Mode 2 portable charger allows an EV to charge from a suitable standard UK socket.

It normally includes:

A UK three-pin plug
An in-line control box
The correct connector for the vehicle, usually Type 2 for a modern EV

A portable charger typically supplies around 2.3kW, making it the slowest common home charging option.

It may add roughly 6 to 10 miles of range per hour, depending on the vehicle, temperature, charging losses and driving efficiency.

Over eight hours, this might add approximately 50 to 80 miles of range, but this should be treated as an illustration rather than a guarantee.

When is 3-pin charging useful?

A portable charger may suit backup charging, occasional use away from home, some plug-in hybrids and drivers covering relatively low daily mileage.

It is generally better treated as a backup or occasional option than the ideal long-term charging method for a full electric vehicle.

Is 3-pin EV charging safe?

Charging from a domestic socket can be safe when the socket, wiring and equipment are suitable.

Plug the charger directly into the wall socket.
Avoid extension leads and multi-socket adapters.
Do not use a damaged or loose socket.
Use weatherproof outdoor equipment where required.
Check the charging cable for damage.
Ask a qualified electrician to inspect any socket used regularly for EV charging.

An EV draws a high electrical load for an extended period. Poor connections or unsuitable wiring can overheat.

View portable EV chargers for backup and occasional charging from a suitable domestic socket.

Charging with a 7kW CEE plug charger

A CEE plug charger provides another way to charge an EV at around 7kW.

CEE sockets are industrial-style electrical connections designed for higher and more sustained electrical loads than a standard domestic socket.

A compatible portable EV charger can connect to the CEE socket and provide faster charging than a three-pin portable charger.

How is a CEE charger different from a wallbox?

A CEE plug charger is portable and plugs into an industrial socket.

A fixed wallbox is permanently installed and may include additional features such as smart scheduling, app controls, load balancing, solar integration, usage monitoring and built-in cable management.

Both may provide around 7kW, but they are different charging setups.

Does a CEE socket need professional installation?

Yes.

The socket, cable, protective equipment and electrical circuit must be correctly rated and professionally installed.

A CEE charger should not be connected through makeshift adapters or unsuitable domestic wiring.

CEE charging may suit drivers who want flexible 7kW charging and already have, or are prepared to install, a suitable industrial socket.

Explore CEE plug EV chargers for compatible industrial sockets.

Charging with a 22kW wallbox

A 22kW wallbox can charge faster than a standard 7kW home charger, but it is not suitable for most UK homes.

Most domestic properties use a single-phase electricity supply. A 22kW AC charger normally requires a three-phase supply, which is more common in commercial premises.

The vehicle must also support 22kW AC charging.

Many electric vehicles are limited to 7kW or 11kW AC charging. Connecting one of these vehicles to a 22kW charger will not make it charge at the full 22kW rate.

Before considering a 22kW wallbox, check:

Whether the property has a three-phase electricity supply
Whether the vehicle supports 22kW AC charging
Whether the electrical installation can support the additional load
The cost of any necessary supply or consumer-unit upgrades

For most households, a 7kW wallbox is the more realistic and cost-effective option.

Read our AC vs DC EV charging guide for more detail on charging methods and speeds.

What cable do you need to charge an electric car at home?

The cable you need depends on the charger and vehicle.

Tethered wallbox

A tethered wallbox has a cable permanently attached.

You do not need to buy a separate charging cable for regular home use. You simply remove the connector from the unit and plug it into the vehicle.

Untethered wallbox

An untethered wallbox has a socket rather than a fixed cable.

For most modern electric vehicles in the UK, you will need a Type 2 to Type 2 charging cable.

The cable should be:

Long enough to comfortably reach the vehicle
Correctly rated for the charger
Compatible with the vehicle’s charging inlet
Suitable for single-phase or three-phase charging where required

See Type 2 cables for untethered wallboxes.

Domestic socket charging

For a standard UK socket, you need a Mode 2 portable charger with a three-pin plug and the correct vehicle connector.

For most modern EVs, the vehicle-side connector will be Type 2.

See portable EV chargers for backup charging.

CEE socket charging

For CEE charging, you need a portable charger designed for the specific CEE socket, voltage and current rating.

Do not assume that all CEE chargers and sockets are interchangeable.

Read our EV charging cable types guide for more detail on Type 1, Type 2, CCS2, CHAdeMO and portable charging equipment.

Tethered vs untethered home chargers

Home wallboxes are available in tethered and untethered versions.

Tethered charger

A tethered charger has a cable permanently attached.

It offers faster and easier everyday use because you do not need to remove a separate cable from the vehicle.

Untethered charger

An untethered wallbox has a socket only.

It provides a tidier appearance when not in use and allows you to choose and replace your own cable, but you need to connect and store that cable separately.

Read our tethered vs untethered EV charger guide for a fuller comparison.

How much does it cost to charge an electric car at home?

A simple way to estimate the cost is:

Battery capacity in kWh × electricity price per kWh = approximate charging cost

For example, if a vehicle has a 60kWh battery and electricity costs 26p per kWh:

60 × £0.26 = £15.60

This is a useful estimate, but the actual amount drawn from the grid may be slightly higher because some energy is lost during charging.

If the same electricity were available at an off-peak rate of 7p per kWh:

60 × £0.07 = £4.20

Electricity tariffs can change, so any example rate should be checked before publication.

Most drivers do not charge from completely empty. If you use 20kWh of energy between charges, you only need to replace approximately that amount, plus charging losses.

Smart charging and EV electricity tariffs

An EV-specific electricity tariff may offer cheaper power during overnight or off-peak periods.

A smart charger can be scheduled to begin charging during these lower-cost windows.

Potential benefits include:

Lower home charging costs
Less charging during peak evening demand
Automatic scheduling
Better visibility of electricity use
Integration with selected vehicles or energy providers

Depending on the charger and tariff, you may need a compatible smart charger, smart meter, suitable tariff, internet connection or compatible vehicle app.

Compare current tariffs carefully, including the daytime rate, standing charge and length of the discounted charging window.

Are home EV charger grants available?

Government support may be available for some people installing home charging equipment.

Eligibility may depend on factors such as:

Whether you rent or own the property
Whether you live in a flat
Whether you have dedicated off-street parking
Whether you are a landlord
Whether the installer and charger meet scheme requirements

Grant schemes, eligibility criteria and available amounts can change.

Check the latest guidance on GOV.UK before buying a charger or booking an installation.

You may also need permission from a landlord, freeholder or property-management company.

Can you charge an EV at home without a driveway?

Home charging is easiest where you have private off-street parking, such as a driveway, garage or allocated parking bay.

Charging is more complicated if the vehicle is parked on the street.

Do not trail a charging cable across a public pavement unless there is a safe and officially approved arrangement. An exposed cable may create a trip hazard and could breach local requirements.

Some local authorities offer lamppost chargers, residential charging bays, on-street charging posts or approved cross-pavement cable channels.

Availability varies by area.

Other options may include workplace charging, local public AC charging, destination charging or rapid charging when needed.

Check your local council’s guidance before arranging any form of cross-pavement charging.

Is a 7kW home charger enough?

For most UK EV drivers, yes.

A 7kW charger can add roughly 20 to 30 miles of range per hour for many vehicles. Over an overnight charging window, that will normally replace substantially more range than the average driver uses in a day.

The exact result depends on vehicle efficiency, battery size, temperature, charging losses, the vehicle’s maximum AC charging rate and the time available.

A faster charger is only useful if the property and vehicle can support it.

Home EV charging safety tips

Use a professionally installed wallbox for regular charging.
Have CEE sockets installed by a qualified electrician.
Avoid extension leads and multi-socket adapters.
Do not use damaged sockets, plugs or cables.
Keep cables tidy and away from walking routes.
Use suitable weatherproof outdoor equipment.
Inspect charging equipment regularly.
Follow the vehicle and charger manufacturer’s guidance.
Ask a qualified electrician to check any socket used regularly for EV charging.

Frequently asked questions

Can I charge an electric car from a normal plug?

Yes, many electric vehicles can charge from a standard UK socket using a Mode 2 portable charger.

It is slow and is generally best suited to backup or occasional charging. A professionally installed 7kW wallbox is usually the better option for regular home charging.

How long does it take to charge an electric car at home?

A domestic socket may take more than 20 hours to fully charge some EVs from empty.

A 7kW wallbox can often charge a typical vehicle overnight. The exact time depends on battery capacity, starting charge level, charger output and the vehicle’s maximum AC charging rate.

Do I need a special cable to charge at home?

A tethered wallbox already has a cable attached.

An untethered wallbox normally requires a Type 2 to Type 2 cable for a modern EV. Domestic socket charging requires a Mode 2 portable charger, while CEE socket charging requires a compatible portable CEE charger.

How much does a home EV charger cost to install?

Installation costs vary according to the charger selected, distance from the consumer unit, cable routing, groundwork, consumer-unit condition, earthing requirements and any necessary electrical upgrades.

Obtain a property-specific quotation from a qualified installer.

Is home charging cheaper than public charging?

In many cases, yes.

Domestic electricity, particularly on an off-peak EV tariff, is often cheaper than public rapid charging.

Should I choose a tethered or untethered charger?

Choose a tethered charger if you prioritise convenience.

Choose an untethered charger if you prefer a tidier appearance or want more flexibility over cable length and replacement.

Is a CEE plug charger the same as a wallbox?

No.

A CEE charger is portable and connects to a correctly installed industrial socket. A wallbox is permanently installed and may include smart controls, load management and other integrated features.

Can I install a 22kW charger at home?

Only where the property has a suitable three-phase electricity supply and the vehicle supports higher AC charging speeds.

For most UK households, a 7kW charger is the more practical option.

Shop home EV charging equipment

EV Extras stocks a range of home charging cables, portable chargers and compatible charging equipment for UK EV drivers, including:

Choose equipment that is compatible with your vehicle, electrical supply and charging requirements.

EV Extras offers free UK delivery on all orders, a 30-day returns policy and products supported by more than 1,400 five-star Trustpilot reviews.