The shift to electric vehicles is accelerating, and with it comes a practical question every new EV owner faces: how do I charge this at home? Unlike filling up at a petrol station, charging an electric vehicle requires proper infrastructure, and that means understanding what your property needs before a charger can be safely installed.
Installing an EV charger isn’t as simple as plugging in a kettle. Your home’s electrical system needs to handle the additional load, your property layout affects installation complexity, and there are regulations to follow. Getting these electrical safety checks right from the start saves you time, money, and potential headaches down the line.
This guide breaks down everything you need to know about EV charger installation requirements, from assessing your electrical capacity to choosing the right equipment. Whether you’re a driving instructor looking to future-proof your business vehicle or a homeowner making the switch to electric, understanding these essentials helps you prepare properly.
For professional guidance on EV charger installation and comprehensive electrical safety checks, contact Inspire Electrics today. Call us on 07377 519 529 or email info@inspireelectrics.com to discuss your requirements.
Inspire Electrics delivers reliable EV charging point installations for homes and businesses across Glasgow and Scotland. Our NICEIC-approved electricians ensure every installation meets current regulations, providing safe and efficient charging solutions.
Understanding Your Property’s Electrical Capacity
Before any installation work begins, you need to know whether your home can actually support an EV charger. Most electric vehicles require between 3kW and 7kW of power for home charging, with 7kW being the standard for faster overnight charging. That’s significantly more demand than typical household appliances place on your system.
Your property’s main fuse and consumer unit determine the amount of power you can draw. Older properties often have 60-amp supplies, whilst newer builds typically have 80 to 100 amps. A 7kW charger draws approximately 32 amps when operating, so you need sufficient headroom in your electrical system to run the charger alongside normal household usage without overloading.
This is where professional electrical safety checks become essential. A qualified electrician will assess your current electrical infrastructure, measure your typical power consumption, and determine whether your system can accommodate the additional load. If your supply is insufficient, you may need to upgrade with your Distribution Network Operator (DNO), which can take several weeks to arrange.
Don’t skip this step. Installing a charger without adequate electrical capacity risks tripping your main circuit breaker repeatedly, causes potential fire hazards, and could damage your vehicle’s battery management system. Obtaining a thorough assessment upfront ensures that your installation proceeds smoothly and operates safely for years to come.
1. Dedicated Circuit Protection
Every EV charger requires its own dedicated circuit with appropriate protection. This means a separate breaker in your consumer unit, sized correctly for the charger’s power rating. Most 7kW chargers need a 32-amp circuit breaker with RCD (Residual Current Device) protection to guard against earth faults.
The cable run from your consumer unit to the charging point must be appropriately rated, typically 6mm² or 10mm², depending on distance and installation method. If the cable runs externally or through unheated spaces, additional considerations apply. Your installer will calculate voltage drop to ensure the charger receives adequate power even at the end of a long cable run.
2. Suitable Installation Location
Where you mount your charger matters considerably. The ideal location strikes a balance between convenience and practical constraints. Your charger should be within 1.5 metres of where your vehicle is parked, as charging cables have a limited length. It requires protection from direct weather exposure, where possible, although high-quality units are weatherproof.
Wall-mounted chargers require solid mounting surfaces; brick or block walls work well, whilst timber-framed structures may need reinforcement. The location should allow easy cable management without creating trip hazards. For properties with limited parking directly adjacent to the house, freestanding posts offer an alternative, though these typically cost more to install.
3. Earthing And Bonding Compliance
Modern electrical safety checks place particular emphasis on earthing arrangements for EV chargers. Your property must have adequate earthing, typically requiring an earth electrode system if you don’t have a TN-S supply. The charger itself needs proper bonding to your property’s main earthing point.
This requirement exists because EV charging involves sustained high current flow over many hours. Any fault in the earthing system could present serious safety risks. Your installer will test the earth loop impedance and verify that all protective measures meet the requirements of BS 7671 wiring regulations before commissioning the charger.
4. Smart Charging Capability
Since July 2022, all new home EV chargers installed must have smart charging functionality. This requirement aims to reduce strain on the national grid by enabling off-peak charging and potential future tariff optimisation. Smart chargers can be controlled remotely, scheduled to charge during cheaper electricity periods, and monitored for energy consumption.
5. Load Management Systems
If you’re installing multiple chargers, such as for a household with two electric vehicles or a driving instructor with multiple training vehicles, load management becomes crucial. Load balancing systems distribute available power between chargers intelligently, preventing your electrical supply from being overwhelmed when multiple vehicles charge simultaneously.
Dynamic load management monitors your property’s total electrical consumption in real-time and adjusts charging speeds accordingly. When you’re cooking dinner and running appliances, the system might reduce the charging rate. During the night, when consumption drops, the charging speed increases. This technology maximises charging efficiency without requiring expensive electrical upgrades.
6. Building Regulations And Planning Permission
Most domestic EV charger installations fall under permitted development, meaning you don’t need planning permission. However, exceptions exist. Listed buildings, properties in conservation areas, or installations visible from the highway may require approval. Flats and apartments introduce additional complexities around communal electrical supplies and landlord permissions.
Building regulations apply to all installations. The electrical work must be notified to your local authority building control, though NICEIC-approved installers can self-certify their work. You’ll receive an electrical installation certificate upon completion, which you’ll need for insurance purposes and future property sales.
7. Grant Eligibility And Documentation
The government’s EV ChargePoint grant can contribute up to £350 towards installation costs if you live in a flat or rental property. To qualify, your installer must be OZEV-approved, and the charger must meet specific criteria. Keeping proper documentation of your installation, including electrical certificates and grant applications, ensures you can claim any available support and provides proof of a compliant installation.
CONTACT INSPIRE ELECTRICS
Conclusion
Installing an EV charger properly requires expertise in current regulations, assessing electrical capacity, and adhering to safe installation practices. At Inspire Electrics, our NICEIC-approved electricians bring over 12 years of experience to every installation across Scotland. We conduct thorough electrical safety checks, ensure your system can support the additional load, and install chargers that comply with all current regulations and smart charging requirements.
Whether you’re installing a charger at your home, need multiple units for your driving instructor business, or want to add EV charging to commercial premises, we provide tailored solutions that work for your specific situation. Contact us today on 07377 519 529 or email info@inspireelectrics.com to arrange your property assessment and receive your quote within 24 hours.
