EV Charger Installation in London: What to Expect and How Much It Costs
Thinking about installing a home EV charger in London? Here's a plain-English guide to the process, the costs, the grant options, and what to look for in a qualified installer.
Home EV charger installations have become one of the most common electrical jobs across London. With more than a million electric vehicles now registered in the UK, the question for most new EV owners isn't whether to get a home charger — it's how to go about it.
This guide covers everything you need to know: the process, the costs, the grant options, and what to look for in a qualified installer.
Why Bother With a Home Charger?
A standard 3-pin plug charges most EVs at around 2.3kW — fine for a top-up, but slow for a full charge. A dedicated home charger (also called an EVSE — Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment) runs at 7kW as standard, cutting charge times by roughly two-thirds.
For most London drivers, that means plugging in when you get home and waking up to a full battery. No queuing at public chargers. No range anxiety.
What Does the Installation Process Look Like?
A typical home EV charger installation follows these steps:
1. Survey A qualified electrician visits to assess your consumer unit, available capacity, and the best cable route from your distribution board to the parking location. This is usually free and takes 30–60 minutes.
2. EICR (if required) If your home hasn't had an electrical inspection recently, your installer may recommend an EICR first. This confirms your wiring can safely handle the additional load. See our guide on why an EICR matters before EV charger installation.
3. Installation day The installation itself typically takes 2–4 hours. The electrician will:
- Install a dedicated circuit from your consumer unit
- Run armoured cable to the charger location
- Mount and wire the charger unit
- Test and commission the installation
- Issue a BS 7671 certificate
4. Certification You'll receive an Electrical Installation Certificate (EIC) confirming the work meets current wiring regulations. This is required for OZEV grant applications and is useful documentation if you sell your home.
How Much Does It Cost?
Costs vary depending on the charger model, cable run length, and whether any additional work is needed. As a guide:
| Job | Typical cost |
|---|---|
| Standard 7kW charger installation | From £499 inc. VAT |
| Long cable run (10m+) | Add £100–£200 |
| Consumer unit upgrade (if needed) | From £600 |
| EICR inspection | From £99 |
The OZEV EV Chargepoint Grant offers up to £350 off the cost of a home charger for eligible properties (flats and rental properties). Owner-occupied houses are no longer eligible for the residential grant, but the grant still applies to flats and rental properties.
Which Charger Should You Choose?
The most popular home chargers in the UK right now are:
- Ohme Home Pro — smart charging, integrates with Octopus Energy tariffs
- Zappi — solar-compatible, ideal if you have or plan to install solar panels
- Easee One — compact, app-controlled, good for tight spaces
All three are OZEV-approved. At Olectrics Ltd, we install all major brands and can advise on the best fit for your home, vehicle, and energy tariff.
What to Look for in an Installer
Not all electricians are qualified to install EV chargers. Look for:
- NICEIC registration — independently assessed, work backed by the NICEIC guarantee
- OZEV approval — required if you're claiming the EV Chargepoint Grant
- Part P certification — required for domestic electrical work in England
- Experience with your chosen charger brand — manufacturer training matters
At Olectrics Ltd, we're NICEIC-registered, Part P certified, and OZEV-approved. We cover all 24 London boroughs from our base in Kew, Richmond.
Ready to Book?
We offer free surveys, competitive pricing, and same-day certificates. Whether you need just the charger installation or a full package including an EICR, we'll handle everything in one visit.
Book your free EV charger survey today — we'll confirm your home is ready and give you a fixed price before any work begins.
Olectrics Ltd are NICEIC-registered electricians based in Kew, Richmond, covering all London boroughs. All EV charger installations are carried out to BS 7671 and OZEV standards.
