Charging your electric vehicle at home

Whether you’ve got a rechargeable vehicle already, or you've yet to make the switch, there’s no denying that the popularity of electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles has rocketed in recent years. With 2030’s ban on new petrol and diesel vehicles fast approaching, it’s something more of us are considering when it comes to upgrading our cars. 

A factor thrown into your decision making will no doubt include how you’d charge your electric car at home. Whilst the UK’s network of public chargers is constantly growing, charging at home is by far the most convenient option - and, typically, the cheapest! So how do you charge your electric vehicle at home? 

Setting off from home on a full charge will generally mean you’ll need some off-road parking, such as a driveway or a garage. From there, you’ve got a couple of options… 

A slow charger

Each electric or plug-in hybrid vehicle should come with a slow charger when you purchase it. This consists of a 3-pin plug that you can connect to your domestic supply via an ordinary plug socket. It means it’s portable, but it’s not very speedy - with only 3kW output, it can sometimes take over 24 hours to get to full charge. It’s handy to use if you really need to, but it makes planning ahead pretty much essential! 

A home charging point

For ultimate and long-term convenience, having a home charger installed is your best bet. These are fitted to the wall of your home or garage - by a qualified electrician, we might add! In some cases, you can even pay monthly to spread the upfront cost of the unit and its installation.

Wired into your domestic supply, these chargers can deliver 7kW of electricity in some instances, resulting in a much faster charge.

Need warranty for your electric car? 

Warranty First is proud to provide cover for hybrid and electric vehicles as part of our Exclusive and Premier cover. Look forward to peace of mind, and honest claims handling if something does happen to go wrong on your car.