Electric vehicle home charging FAQs
We've teamed up with Cord to provide high-quality electric vehicle chargers so that you can charge your electric car from the comfort and convenience of your own home.
Which electric vehicle (EV) charger do I need for my vehicle?
Cord EV chargers are compatible with all modern electric cars. If you’d like to check your car's compatibility, click here to use the handy lookup tool on the Cord website.
Are home electric vehicle chargers AC or DC?
Home EV chargers are AC (alternating current). Since most UK homes have a single-phase electricity supply, they're limited to charge a car at a maximum of 7.4kW - or more simply, overnight - ready for you in the morning.
How much does it cost to charge my electric vehicle at home?
Many people have variable rate energy tariffs, meaning energy usage is cheaper at night. Cord EV chargers are automatically set to charge your vehicle overnight when energy can be significantly cheaper. Don’t worry - if you want to charge on demand, you can do that too.
If you’d like to know more about how much it might cost to charge your car, click here to use the handy lookup tool on Cord’s website.
Can I get a home electric vehicle charger if I rent?
Yes! You’ll need the landlord’s permission, but even better if you rent a flat you can get up to £350 off the cost of the charger through the Government OZEV grant.
How fast can I charge my electric vehicle at home?
The speed at which you can charge your EV at home will depend on your car (the maximum rate of charge it can accept), and your charger. Most homes can charge a car up to 7.4kW - or more simply, overnight whilst you sleep. Cord EV chargers are 7.4kW.
It can often be faster to charge a car using a public charge point because they use a different charging method (DC), typically not available from a home. Please click here and enter your vehicle registration number to find out how fast you can charge your car.
Can I install an electric vehicle charger myself?
No - you must be a qualified electrician to install an EV charger. Cord's national team of approved qualified electricians install home car chargers in line with the UK Smart Charging regulations. The electrician will apply for authorisation from the DNO (distribution network operator) to install an EV charger at your property, as required by law.
Who installs electric vehicle home chargers?
Cord uses a national team of approved qualified electricians to install their EV chargers. They ensure chargers are safely installed in line with the UK Smart Charging Regulations.
How to install an electric vehicle home charger?
One of Cord's approved qualified electricians will safely install your EV charger, using a feed from your incoming power supply. Once it's been installed, they'll connect it to your Wi-Fi (or use a 4G connection) and ensure it’s all working correctly before leaving.
How long does it take to install an electric vehicle charger?
Typically, it takes a few hours to install an EV charger. Cord will carry out a home survey before your EV charger installation to make sure the electrician has everything they need on the day for a smooth installation.
How much does it cost to install an electric vehicle home charger?
Don't worry - all Cord chargers are sold with installation included, and there's a pre-installation home survey to ensure the successful installation of your charger. Sometimes there might be additional costs depending on your home, but don’t worry - we’ll run through these before installing your charger, and if you don’t want to proceed, we’ll happily issue a full refund.
What can I expect with standard installation?
Cord include more for "standard" - which means that more than 9 in 10 of our installations are "standard", without attracting additional costs
- A pre-installation home survey to gather all of the information Cord needs about your property for a hassle-free installation, completed by one of Cord's experts
- 30 metres cabling from incoming power supply into your home to your charger - for the vast majority of homes this is more than enough. The charger will be mounted onto a wall
- The cable will be installed in existing building voids, taking the shortest route defined by the electrician or up to 6m of PVC trunking with a maximum of 4 direction changes, to the exterior of the building or cable clipped direct to the fabric of the building
- Cord include and install a surge protection device (SPD) to keep you, your charger and your property safe
- Cord install the CT clamp that accompanies the Cord charger. This allows the charger to function correctly with other electrical devices in the home
- Cord will register your device so it works with your app
- Electrical testing and certification
What may attract an additional cost?
- Additional cabling, any significant ground or civil work, non-wall mounting (i.e. post)
- Gas/water bonding upgrade. This is an important measure to ensure your charger is installed safely and meets legal safety requirements
Click here to learn more about our electric vehicle home charging such as why choose Cord or the benefits of EV charging.