EV Charger Installation FAQ

London EV Charger Installation FAQ

The following are common questions and their answers about electric car charger installation.

If your question is not amongst those we’ve answered, then please phone us on 020 7870 3136 with your questions. You can also reach us by filling out our online booking form here.

Can I install my EV charging point myself?

In one word, no. Of course, there are DIY methods for nearly everything, but this is one thing you don’t want to do a DIY installation with. The only exception would be if you’re an electrician who has experience with installing EV chargers. Apart from this, always go with a certified installer.

Doing this would prevent a multitude of future regrets for you, such as;

• Losing out on the warranty of your charger as a result of a professional not installing it
• Running the risk of a fire hazard as a result of improper installation
• Getting in trouble with the law due to a lack of appropriate documentation for your home EV charger installation.

London EV Charger Installation

Where do I install my EV home charger?

As a rule of thumb, your home EV charger will be installed on a wall in your driveway, or in your garage.

Can I use a regular 3-pin to charge my electric car?

As the primary form of charging, no. A regular 3-pin socket is not designed to carry such high loads over an extended period of time. So you run the risk of a fire hazard consistently doing this, particularly if your wiring system is old.

Also, charging your electric car with a regular 3-pin socket is basically equal to a trickle charge, and it would take over 15 hours to get your battery full. You would also have a much higher electrical bill to pay, as you would be charging a lot during peak hours.

Do all electric cars have the same type of connector?

Not really. Yes, most electric cars use a type 2 connector, but older models still use a type 1 connector. These are the two types of connectors that are available for charging electric cars.

It was mandated by the EU in 2014 that all electric cars must have type 2 connectors.

How is the electric car charging point installed?

For the installation of your electric car charging point, here’s roughly what you can expect on the day of installation;

• The engineers will confirm that you are going to be around on the installation day
• The survey is already done by this point, so they’ll choose the most suitable point of installation
• The power supply for your home will be turned off to prevent any fire accidents
• The installation of your charger and the connection to the main electricity supply is done, and the power is turned back on to test the charger and check that it’s working
• You’ll be shown how to use it

Do I need to buy a smart charger?

This depends on your preferences. Smart chargers clearly have their advantages, such as;

• Ability to be accessed remotely
• Ability to monitor car’s charging
• Ability to choose when your car charges

Of course, they are much pricier than regular chargers, but with the OZEV grant you can heavily subsidise the cost of a smart charger.

Which one should I buy, a tethered or an untethered cable?

This depends on your needs. Both types of cables have their pros and cons. A tethered cable means the type of car that can be charged with your cable is restricted. It also means you won’t have to bother with connecting and reconnecting the cable to your car and the charger every time you want to charge.

On the other hand, an untethered cable means you’ll be able to charge any car with the cable, so it’s a good way to future proof your charging point.

London EV Charger Installation

How long does it take to install a charger?

Your EV charger installation will take between 3-4 hours approximately. The time lengthens if the installation is complicated.

What kind of EV charger is the fastest?

Rapid chargers are the fastest EV chargers, and they deliver a minimum of 50kW when charging.

Slow chargers deliver between 3kW to 3.7kW, whilst fast chargers deliver around 22kW per hour.

What is OLEV?

OLEV, or the Office for Low Emission Vehicles, is a key part of the UK Government’s Department for Transport.

Their main purpose is to support the introduction of Ultra Low Emission Vehicles, and to build the infrastructure to support it.

What is the OLEV grant, and am I eligible for it?

With the OLEV government grant, you can reduce your EV charger installation cost greatly, up to a maximum of £350. This is possible because of the Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV)’s grant subsidy that covers up to 75% of the purchase price of electric car chargers.

As with every grant, there are eligibility requirements, and they are as follows;

• You must be registered as an owner or a leaseholder of an electric car
• Your vehicle must be eligible under the scheme. The scheme is open to both electrical and hybrid cars.
• You must have off street parking
• The EV charger must be placed at least 10m from your electricity distribution board
• Your home EV charger installation must be done by an OLEV approved installer
• Your electric car was purchased after October 1, 2016
• You have not already used the grant for your vehicle
• Your home EV charger is smart; it must be able to connect to the internet to allow for operating remotely.

London EV Charger Installation

Need Electric Car Charger Installation Services in London? Contact Us today!

Whenever you’re in need of a reliable and professional home EV charger service in London for installation or maintenance, then call the experts at the London EV Charger Installation.

We help you safely perform your EV charger installation. To learn more about the services we offer, do complete our online booking form or phone us now at 020 7870 3136.