Rated 5 stars for customer service from 144,654 reviews.
We’re your EV charging one-stop shop
We handle everything in-house: your charger and installation, plus – if you want – one of our cult favourite Smart tariffs for bonkers cheap overnight charging.
Our expert installers are qualified meter engineers, so we can do even the most complex installs in a single visit.
That means a quicker, smoother experience for you, help from the same award-winning customer support team, and better value for money.
Charge with Octopus, at home and on the go
All your charging on one easy bill.
Cult favourite beta Smart tariffs
Charge up while you sleep with one of our cutting-edge EV tariffs, with 100% green electricity and no exit fees.
Supercheap overnight charging rates and Smart home integration help you charge when energy is cheapest and greenest.
Charge on the go with Octopus Electroverse
One-tap access to more than 400,000 chargers across the UK Europe.
Say goodbye to multiple cards and apps.
With Electroverse you get one card, one app and one bill with access to thousands of chargers, all in one place.
And all with zero added costs or on-going fees.
What does a ‘standard installation’ involve?
We split all installations into two categories: ‘standard’ and ‘non-standard’.
A standard installation is likely to involve fewer hours of labour and materials.
We take into account factors such as:
- How long will it take to run a cable from your main fuse box to your charger? Will we need to drill through any walls?
- Distance from the charger to the main fuse box – how far away from your main fuse box is the desired charger location? Is it over 10m?
- Is your cable going above or below ground? Anything that requires digging will generally take longer
- Do you have a single-phase meter? Most households in the UK have a single-phase meter. If your property has 3 phase supply, you have more power available but the installation will get a bit more complex.
Our team will talk you through the different factors that will impact your installation (and installation cost) so that there are no surprises on the day.
A ‘standard’ chargepoint installation generally includes:
- The fitting of the charger on a brick or plaster wall, (or other suitable permanent structure)
- Routing of the cable through 1 x drilled hole in a wall up to 500mm thick (where required)
- Up to 10 metres of appropriate cable, run and clipped to the wall between the consumer unit and the EV charger, up to a height of up to 1.8m
- Electrical connections at the origin of the supply and the charging unit
- Type A RCD in metal Consumer Unit
- Electrical testing and NICEIC Certification
- Demonstration of the Chargepoint functions and App.
Do I have to be an Octopus Energy customer?
Nope! Anyone can apply for a charger installation.
How much does an installation cost?
Our charger installations start from £999 for a standard installation. We’ll be able to let you know what kind of installation you require once you complete the application form.
How is the cost of an EV charger installation calculated?
Every home is different, and every customer has their own preferred setup, so it makes sense that every charger installation is unique.
There are a number of questions to consider when installing your EV charger, from where you want the chargepoint to be, how you want it to look, and where your fuse box is situated. So what kind of things do we take into account when giving you a quote?
- Does your charger of choice have a tethered lead (attached to the chargepoint) or do you want an untethered charger?
- How long does the cable that runs from the fuse box to the chargepoint need to be?
- Where do you want the charger to be installed?
- Aesthetically, do you want the cable hidden where it runs along the wall inside your house,
- Do you want your cable to run underground outside your house?
We’ll be able to work out some of this information such as whether the electricity supply coming into the house is suitable for a car charger, or whether the fuse box might need an additional fuse to accommodate the EV charger.
At Octopus we can be pretty flexible when it comes to meeting your needs, but as a rule of thumb the longer the installation takes us the higher the overall install cost will be.
What will I need for a remote EV charger survey?
You’ll need to answer some questions about where you want the EV charger to be installed, and send us some photos so we can check your eligibility. That way we can decide how best to go about your installation.
Home chargers for electric cars: Ultimate guide
Thinking about leasing your first EV? Chances are you’re also considering how best to charge an electric car at home. With all the different types of charging units available, and with charging to arrange as well, it can be confusing at first.
In this guide, we’ll remove the jargon to help you make the right decision about installing electric vehicle chargers and get you feeling confident about charging an EV at home.
What is an electric car home charger?
Home chargers for electric cars are special units that are designed to safely charge your electric car at home. Home chargers are usually compact, weatherproof units that are mounted to a wall close to where you intend to charge your EV. Your driveway or garage, for example.
We wouldn’t recommend a standard three-pin plug for home charging. They’re not the most efficient way to charge an electric car. Professionally installed home chargers deliver faster charging speeds and have in-built safety features that protect your home and car.
All home EV chargers must now be equipped with ‘Smart charging’ features. ‘Smart’ charging units are able to reduce the cost of charging by calculating the cheapest time of day to charge your car. They also protect your home’s fuse by reducing power if you’re using too much at once and some can be activated or adjusted through facial recognition and Alexa voice commands.
To increase the savings when you charge at home, a Smart charger can be linked with your specific electricity tariff to charge your electric car only during ‘off-peak’ hours (usually overnight, between 10pm and 8am). If your electricity supply takes advantage of solar panels, some Smart chargers can link directly to the panels to use cheaper electricity when you are generating excess energy.
How do I get an electric car charging point installed at home?
Electric vehicle chargers are installed by government-approved installers. Installers are approved by the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles, OZEV (previously OLEV).
Rightcharge. our EV charging partner. can help you find out which chargers are compatible with your electric car and arrange installation. Rightcharge is the simple way to sort your home charging and save money. First, they recommend the right home charger and let you book a trusted installer in your local area. Then, they find you the best energy deal. pulling these tricky tasks into one seamless place and unlocking hidden savings.
Simply select your make and model of car and Rightcharge will help you with the rest.
How much does it cost to install an electric car charger?
The cost of EV charging units, including standard installation, starts from around £900.
Exact charger costs will depend on the specification and sophistication of the charging unit that you choose. Latest high-end chargers cost up to £1,500, including a standard installation. Compatible chargers will vary depending on the brand and model of electric car that you are looking to lease, so do your research in advance to understand likely costs. For example, most Tesla owners tend to opt for the Tesla wall charger, but this does tend to come at a higher price point than other home charging points. So, if you’re looking to reduce the overall cost of charging at home then comparing other chargers on the market can be useful.
The cost of your charging unit will also depend on the complexity of the installation that you need. For example, you may need extra cabling to reach your fuse box, or if you might prefer the cable underground, instead of at the bottom of your wall. This will also increase costs. Occasionally, there may be other electrical equipment that needs upgrading in your home to install the charger in line with the latest safety regulations. Any extra costs will be included in the quote from your chosen installer.
After installation of the charger, you pay for the electricity you use to charge your car. The typical electricity rate in the UK is 16p per kWh (kilowatt-hour) according to the Energy Saving Trust. A typical electric car battery is 60kWh and will take around 8 hours and £9.60 for a full charge from empty-to-full, depending on the strength of the charging point you are using.
However, this can greatly vary based on the electricity tariff you are on. With some EV-friendly tariffs offering as low as 4.5p per kWh at off peak times meaning a full charge could cost only £2.70. This can offer a significant saving per charge and make a big difference in the long term. Rightcharge also compare EV tariffs so you can get the most out of your home charger and electricity tariff at the same time.
How can I save money on EV home chargers?
We’ve partnered with Rightcharge to help you make the process of finding the best deals on home chargers for electric vehicles as easy as possible.
How do I pick the right EV home charger for me?
The electric car charger that’s right for you will depend on a number of factors, including:
The make, model and year of production of your EV: some cars will only be compatible with certain types of chargers whereas the latest EVs can be used with high-end chargers featuring the latest technology. This is usually determined by the car’s socket type (more on that below),
A tethered or untethered charger: basically, whether you want your charger to come with a charging cable (tethered) or whether you want the flexibility to charge cars with different socket types (Type 1 and Type 2) from the same charger using different cables, in which case untethered may be the best option for you.
Most chargers are now ‘Smart’ chargers that can optimise the time they charge your car to make the most of off-peak rates and save you money. Smart chargers will also monitor the carbon intensity of the electricity grid and, if you want it to, charge your car when the cleanest electricity is being produced giving you that environmental feel-good factor.
The features you want included: the level of sophistication offered by chargers continues to increase. For example, if you have solar panels at your home, certain chargers can communicate with your solar system enabling you to direct any an excess solar energy to your charger to charge your car. Other chargers offer fuse protection (also known as load balancing) which will manage the rate at which your car is charged to ensure that your home doesn’t use too much power and blow your electrical fuses. These chargers are also useful if you think you may install a second charger in the future.
Aesthetics: if you’ve got the latest electric car sat on your drive you don’t want to let the side down with an ugly charger. There are some great examples of well-designed chargers that come with a cabinet to hide the charging cable and generally keep your property looking tidy. Some chargers also come with facial recognition to activate them and Alexa voice command control, as well as locks to prevent chargers being used while you’re away from home.
Price: your available budget and the price that you want to pay for your new charger will of course be an important factor. The cost of chargers ranges between £700-£1,900.
Do all electric cars use the same plug?
In short, no. Electric vehicles will use what is referred to as a Type 1 or Type 2 plug. Broadly speaking, Type 1 plugs were used on older electric vehicles. As technology has moved on, Type 2 plugs are now more commonly used on all new models.
Popular EVs that use a Type 2 plug:
An untethered charger (one that doesn’t come with a prefixed cable) is recommended if you already have an EV that uses a Type 1 plug, as your next car is likely to have a Type 2 plug and it will save you having to replace your entire charger.
An untethered charger is also recommended if your car has a Type 2 plug because of the increased flexibility of those chargers.
Leasing an EV
Following the Government’s announcement that it will ban the sale of pure petrol and diesel engine new cars from 2030, the choice and availability of electric vehicles has rapidly grown. So too has consumer demand for EVs, and leasing is the perfect funding method to enable motorists to test out the very latest EV technology without long-term ownership commitments. In fact, demand for electric new cars on Leasing.com is outstripping EV demand in the overall new car market because of the flexibility consumers have in choosing the advance payment, term and mileage that suits their circumstances. Here’s the top 10 most popular electric cars (based on sales enquiry volumes) in 2021. Start your search for your next electric car here.
Smart Home Charging
All of our Solo 3 chargers also come installed with a 3-year warranty with an option to extend to 5 years.
Please note: 22kW home chargers require a three-phase household electrical supply.
Charge activity monitoring with the Pod Point App gives you insights into your energy usage.
- Oversee your car charging costs and track every kWh used.
- Make informed decisions on when to charge, by viewing a forecast of your local carbon intensity, provided by National Grid.
- Export itemised reports that can form part of your vehicle/house budgeting.
- Learn when it’s cheapest to charge on your energy tariff.
Auto Power Balancing adjusts the rate of charge to avoid overloading your electrical supply when your home is using a lot of energy.
The charging will return to the fastest rate automatically, once more power is available.
- Keeps your car charging without disrupting your home.
- Makes it possible to install a 7kW charging point on almost any electrical supply.
- Lets you run all your home appliances as desired (including extra home charging stations for other vehicles).
Our Charge Scheduling feature lets you charge overnight on off-peak rates.
- Unlock the full benefits of EV ownership and drive for less than 2.5p per mile with Pod Point’s Smart home charger and EDF’s Go Electric tariff.
- Take advantage of dual-rate electricity tariffs and save on costs by automatically scheduling your EV to charge during off-peak hours.
Applies to Wi-Fi enabled Solo chargers, typically installed after 2018. Requires a strong and stable Wi-Fi connection.
Based on average consumption of 3.5 miles per kWh.
When connected to Wi-Fi, the Solo 3 gets automatic software updates over-the-air.
- Unlock new features for your chargepoint in the future without changing the physical charger.
- Enable remote customer service and diagnostics from our team.
- Get the latest software version for optimal performance.
Learn what else the Solo 3 can do.
4.6/5 star rating, from over 20,000 reviews on:
Solo 3
Start your order Learn more
Pod Point App
Download now Learn more
Pod Point Network
Find a chargepoint Learn more
Save over £500 a year on the typical cost of charging at home.
See footer for disclaimer.
Based on average consumption of 3.5 miles per kWh.
For more information in relation to the way in which EDF supplies zero carbon electricity, please visit https://www.edfenergy.com/zero-carbon
Are you eligible for the OZEV EV chargepoint grant?
The OZEV EV chargepoint grant reduces the cost of a home charger and its installation by £350.
Eligibility Checklist:
- Live in a rented property or own a flat.
- Have dedicated off-street parking.
- Own, lease or have an eligible vehicle on order.
- Not already have claimed a chargepoint grant.
% of our customers are eligible for standard installation.
What does this include?
What if I don’t qualify for standard installation?
If you don’t meet the criteria we can usually still carry out the home installation but an additional cost may be incurred.
Once your order is placed, we’ll be in touch to better understand your requirements and produce a no-obligation quote for the additional works. If you decide not to proceed, a full refund will be provided.
Ready to start Smart Home Charging?
Complete your order and book in your install.
4.62/5 star rating from 37115 reviews. Check them out at reviews.co.uk
Excellent communication throughout the process. Very quick and neat installation.
very nice engineer and fast installation
Very happy with the experience from order to completion of Installation.
Installation of your Solo 3
Your home installation is included with your Solo 3 if it meets our standard install criteria.
Our team of Pod Point Experts go the extra mile to provide an excellent experience.
Your Pod Point Expert
Pod Point Experts are City and Guilds accredited electricians with thousands of hours of experience installing electric vehicle chargepoints.
Pre-arrival
Your Pod Point Expert will confirm their arrival time with you in advance of the installation.
Pre-installation
Your Expert will find the best position for your charger based on your power supply and how you park your car.
Installation
Standard installation package
Your install is included in the price of the home charger if it meets our standard install criteria. If it doesn’t, we’ll provide a no-obligation quote or a full refund if you’re not happy to proceed.
Next, the charger is fixed to the wall, a cable is run from the unit to the mains power supply, and it will be activated for use.
Your Expert will then connect the charger to the Wi-Fi and pair it with the Pod Point App.
Demonstration
Your Expert will give you a full demonstration of your charger, what the different lights mean and how to get in touch if you have any questions.
Finally, you will be shown how to find and use public chargepoints in your area.
Top 5 FAQs
It depends on your preference:
- Convenience. Tethered chargers have a cable already attached which will either be Type 1 or Type 2.
- Flexibility. While you need to plug the cable into a universal charger, you can use both Type 1 and Type 2 cables.
- Cable length. A tethered charger’s cable will be either 4.8m (Type 1) or 7.5m (Type 2) in length, whereas a universal charging cable can be up to 10m for either connector type.
- Cost. Tethered chargers cost more upfront because they include the charging cable, whereas you can buy a universal charger without a cable.
It can’t be connected to a 3-pin plug socket; the Solo 3 needs to be connected to the main electrical supply.
Non-standard charger installations may incur an additional cost. Once your order is placed, we’ll be in touch to better understand your requirements and produce a no-obligation quote for any additional works. If you decide not to proceed, you’ll receive a full refund.
What information or data is collected by my Solo 3 and stored by Pod Point? Who has access to this data?
Your household energy usage data is only used for hardware and technical support.
If you choose to pair the Solo 3 with the Pod Point App (using your PSL number) this data is then displayed to the logged-in Pod Point-account holder via their Smart device using the Pod Point App.
- Our Network Assurance team uses this data for support and diagnostic purposes.
- Our Data team assesses and manages this data for analysis.
- Our Software team maintains the software which stores this data.
We provide a remote survey in advance of your install. Our Pod Point Expert will then conduct a site survey when they arrive on the day of your install.
Go Electric tariff disclaimers:
Calculation based on average annual usage of 2,013kWh. (Datsourced from Pod Point customers average annual charging at home) Cost saving calculation compares charging on current Energy Price Guarantee rate (33.2p per kWh) vs EDF Go Electric off peak rate (8p per kWh). This is a variable tariff so can change, which would impact annual savings. Calculations are based on using a 7kWh home charger and charging within daily 5 hour off peak window (12am-5am during winter GMT and 1am-6am during Summer BST), slower charging speeds may result in charging outside of the off peak window and will increase cost.
The benefit of this tariff will depend on when your household energy usage occurs, when and where you charge your car, changes to wholesale energy and any future energy price cap changes.
This tariff is variable, meaning could change. This may impact cost savings and could mean change before your Pod Point is installed, depending on available/chosen installation dates.
The features of this tariff, its availability and any or costs displayed were correct at the time of writing according to information provided by EDF but may change in future. Before switching, you should consider the suitability of EDF’s Go Electric Tariff for your charging and household needs using the information and support provided by EDF. Pod Point does not take responsibility for your choice of electricity provider.”
Applies to Wi-Fi enabled Solo chargers, typically installed after 2018. Requires a strong and stable Wi-Fi connection.
Customers must have a Smart meter to access this tariff, full eligibility criteria can be found here.
What It Costs To Charge An Electric Vehicle
In general, it costs less to run an electric vehicle than a comparable internal combustion-powered model. However, depending on how, where, and when you charge an EV, the cost can vary wildly. Charging an EV at home is usually the cheapest way to go, though you may incur some added costs to make the process more efficient. Depending on the type of public charging station you use, replenishing the battery on the road can either be free or surprisingly costly.
Here’s what you can expect to pay to keep an electrified ride running:
At Home
Charging an electric vehicle at home, assuming you have a garage and/or access to the power grid, is the most common way to go. Most models include a basic 110-volt charging unit that plugs into a standard electric outlet via a conventional three-prong plug. Called Level 1 charging, this is the slowest way to replenish an EV’s battery. It can take between eight and as long as 24 hours to obtain a full charge, depending on the model.
It’s well worth it to spend around 250-400 to have an electrician install a dedicated 240-volt line in your garage to take advantage of what’s called Level 2 charging. This can refresh a drained battery in as little as four hours. You’ll also need to purchase an external Level 2 charging unit, which is also called the electric vehicle service equipment (EVSE). A good quality EVSE can cost between 300 and around 1,200, and they come in plug-in and hard-wired varieties. If you’re choosing a wall-mounted unit, expect to pay another 300-600 for installation. On the plus side, you may be able to take advantage of state and/or local incentives for buying and having a charger installed.
As for what you’ll pay in electricity costs to keep a given EV running, you can get a rough idea of what it will cost via the Environmental Protection Agency’s fueleconomy.gov website. It lists energy consumption information for all makes and models for the sake of comparison, and that includes electric cars. Each listing will tell you how many kilowatts per hour (kWh) it takes, on average, to drive an EV for 100 miles, and how much it will cost to drive 25 miles, based on average electricity rates. It also states how much you’ll pay to drive the vehicle for 15,000 annual miles in combined city/highway use.
As an example, the EPA estimates it costs an average of 0.81 to drive a Hyundai Ioniq Electric for 25 miles and 500 to pilot it for 15,000 miles. In contrast, the EPA says the most fuel-efficient version of the 2019 Toyota Corolla costs 2.12 to drive for 25 miles and exacts 1,300 at the gas pump annually.
Importantly, the EPA’s website allows you to customize predicted home charging costs according to the number of miles you drive during a given year, and your per-kWh electric rate.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration maintains a chart of average per-kWh electric rates for all 50 states here. According to the agency’s latest data, Louisiana residents pay the least in the nation for electricity at an average 0.098 per kWh. It costs the most to keep an EV running in Hawaii with an average cost of 0.331 for every kWh. Keep in mind that these are averages, and every local energy provider sets its own rates. Your electric bill likely states what you pay per kWh for energy, though that figure may not include the cost of delivery, taxes, and fees. A better way to figure this is to divide the amount of your total bill with all charges by the number of kWh you consumed in a given month.
If your provider allows billing for electricity based on demand at various times of the day, you may be able to charge an EV in the middle of the night at a reduced rate.
Be aware, however, that no matter what you pay per kWh it will cost more to keep an EV running during the coldest months of the year. Frigid weather negatively affects a battery’s performance and limits its ability to accept a charge. Research conducted by the AAA found that when the mercury dips to 20°F and the heater is in use, an average EV loses around 41 percent of its operating range. It also takes longer to charge the vehicle under frigid conditions. The AAA’s study found that at 20°F with the heater running, an owner will pay an additional 25 for every 1,000 miles driven to keep the battery charged, compared to the cost of running the vehicle at 75°F. An EV’s range is also adversely affected in extremely hot weather to a certain degree, especially with the air conditioning in use.
Level 2 Public Charging
Level 2 is the most prevalent type of pubic charging, and you’ll find units installed in retail parking lots, public parking garages, and new-car dealerships, typically in or near larger cities, college towns, and other areas where there’s a higher concentration of EVs.
Some Level 2 public charging stations can be used at no cost, while others charge a fee. This can either be on a pay-as-you-go basis using a credit card, or via an account with a charging network like ChargePoint or Blink. The cost to charge an EV differs from provider to provider and from state to state. Some states allow pricing based on the kWh of electricity used, while others only allow providers to charge on a per-minute basis. While the ChargePoint network allows the property owner where the charger is situated to set rates, Blink charges between 0.04-0.06 per minute or from 0.39 to 0.79 per kWh, in states where that’s permitted.
Chevrolet says its Bolt EV will get back an average 25 miles of operating range per hour of Level 2 charging. That’s a cost of between 2.40 and 3.60 at the above rates, compared to the EPA’s estimate of 2.15 to drive a gas-powered Chevrolet Cruze for 25 miles.
Level 3 Public Charging
A much less common – but far quicker – alternative is to access a Level 3 public charging station. Also known as DC Fast Charging, it can bring a given electric car’s battery up to 80% of its capacity in around 30-60 minutes.
EVgo maintains the nation’s largest network of Level 3 charging stations in major metropolitan areas, and offers free charging for two years to buyers of the BMW i3 or Nissan Leaf in select markets. Meanwhile, Tesla Motors maintains its own Supercharger network of fast-charging stations across the U.S., though their use is limited to Tesla vehicles. For its part, Porsche will give buyers of its full-electric Taycan three years of unlimited 30-minute charging at Electrify America charging units when it debuts for the 2020 model year.
Unfortunately, while Level 3 is the fastest way to charge an EV it’s also the costliest. As an example, we were recently billed 0.29 a minute for DC Fast Charging in the Chicago area via an EVgo station. (It’s 0.25 a minute for EVgo subscribers.) A 25-minute session that added around 50 miles of added range to a Volkswagen eGolf cost 7.25, which comes out to 3.62 for 25 miles. By comparison, the EPA says it costs an average of 2.26 to pilot the standard gas-powered VW Golf the same distance.
Tesla says it charges an average 0.28 per kWh to use one of its Superchargers in states where that type of billing is allowed. Where per-minute rates are mandated, it’s at 0.26 while cars are charging at or below 60 kW, and 0.13 while cars are charging above 60 kW. As with all types of chargers, rates vary by location and can change periodically.
All of the used EV listings here at MYEV.com provide average per-session costs to obtain a full charge and estimate an owner’s expected monthly cost to keep running.