As electric vehicles become increasingly popular across Brighton and Hove, one of the most common questions we hear as registered electricians is: “How do I charge my EV at home?” The good news is that home charging is straightforward, cost-effective, and far more convenient than you might think.
Here’s everything you need to know about charging your electric car at home, from the basics to choosing the right charging solution for your property.
Why Charge at Home?
Home charging offers significant advantages: wake up to a fully charged car without petrol station visits, save money with electricity costing as little as 7-9p per kWh versus 40-80p at public rapid chargers, charge while you sleep, and benefit from gentler charging that’s better for battery longevity than frequent rapid charging.
Understanding EV Charging Speeds
There are three main charging speeds to understand:
Slow charging (3kW) – Using a standard 3-pin domestic socket. Adds roughly 10-15 miles of range per hour. Suitable for plug-in hybrids or emergency use, but not recommended as a primary charging method for full EVs.
Fast charging (7kW) – A dedicated home charging point. Adds around 25-30 miles of range per hour. This is the sweet spot for home charging and what most homeowners choose.
Rapid charging (22kW+) – Generally found at public charging stations. Most domestic properties can’t support this power level due to electrical supply limitations.
For home installations, 7kW chargers are the standard recommendation. They’re fast enough to fully charge most EVs overnight, while being compatible with typical domestic electricity supplies.
Can I Just Use a Normal Socket?
Technically yes, but we strongly advise against it as your primary charging method. Standard 3-pin sockets aren’t designed for sustained high loads over many hours and can overheat, trip your fuse board, pose fire risks if wiring is old, and potentially invalidate home insurance. Use 3-pin sockets only for occasional or emergency charging – if you own an EV, a proper home charging point is essential for safety and efficiency.
Types of Home EV Chargers
Tethered chargers have a permanently attached cable – simply plug into your car. More convenient but tied to one connector type.
Untethered chargers have a socket for your own charging cable. More flexible for multiple EVs with different connectors but requires cable storage.
Both are equally effective; it’s a matter of personal preference.
What You Need for Home EV Charging
To have a home EV charger installed, you’ll need off-street parking (driveway, garage, or dedicated space – cables can’t run across pavements), adequate electrical supply (we’ll assess this during our survey), suitable mounting location within cable reach of your car’s charging port, and permission if you rent or live in a listed building or conservation area.
The Installation Process
When you book with Safe Gas, we conduct a free survey to assess your electrical supply and discuss requirements, help you choose the right charger based on your needs, complete installation in 3-4 hours (including cable running, mounting, connection, and testing), provide all compliance certificates, and demonstrate how to use your new charger.
Smart Chargers vs Standard Chargers
Since June 2022, all new home EV chargers must be “smart” chargers. These can schedule charging during off-peak hours for cheaper electricity, integrate with solar panels, monitor energy usage via apps, receive remote updates, and support load balancing. These features significantly reduce charging costs and carbon footprint.
Running Costs: What Will It Cost to Charge?
A typical 60kWh EV battery costs approximately £15 to fully charge on standard tariffs (25p per kWh), giving roughly 250 miles of range. However, EV-specific tariffs offering cheaper overnight rates (7-9p per kWh) reduce this to just £4.20-£5.40 – equivalent to over 100 miles per gallon in a petrol car. Suppliers like Octopus Intelligent Go, OVO Charge Anytime, and EDF GoElectric can halve or quarter your charging costs.
Solar Panels and EV Charging
If you have solar panels, combining them with EV charging is incredibly cost-effective. Smart chargers detect excess solar electricity and automatically charge your car using free, clean energy. As MCS certified installers, we can design integrated renewable solutions combining solar, battery storage, and EV charging for maximum savings.
Workplace and Multi-Point Charging
Beyond domestic installations, we also install EV chargers for businesses across Brighton and Hove – from single charging points for company vehicles to multiple units for employee or customer use, with fully compliant and future-ready solutions.
Common Questions
Will an EV charger increase my electricity bill? Yes, but it replaces fuel costs. Most EV owners find total transport costs drop significantly.
Can I charge in the rain? Absolutely. EV chargers are weatherproof with multiple safety features.
What if I have solar panels? Perfect combination! Smart chargers can prioritize solar energy for free, green charging.
Do I need a special electricity tariff? Not essential, but EV-specific tariffs can save hundreds annually.
Why Choose Safe Gas for EV Charger Installation?
As registered electricians with extensive experience across Brighton, Hove, and Sussex, we provide expert advice, professional installation compliant with all regulations, full certification and warranty support, transparent pricing, integration with solar and renewable systems, and both domestic and commercial installations.
Ready to Make the Switch?
Home EV charging is simpler and more affordable than many people realise. With the right charger professionally installed, you’ll enjoy the convenience of waking up to a fully charged car every morning while saving money compared to traditional fuel costs.
If you’re in Brighton, Hove, or the surrounding areas and want to explore home EV charging options, contact Safe Gas today for a free, no-obligation survey. We’ll assess your property, recommend the ideal solution, and provide a transparent quote.
Thinking about installing an EV charger? Call Safe Gas for professional installation from NAPIT registered electricians. We make home EV charging safe, simple, and affordable.