Tesla Service UK / Guides / Home Charging
Home EV charger installation in the UK
The current grant, who actually qualifies now, typical costs, choosing an installer, and getting a tariff that suits how you charge.
Last fact-checked: , against current OZEV EV Chargepoint Grant guidance. Grant eligibility and amounts have changed more than once — always confirm the live rules with an OZEV-authorised installer before assuming a figure quoted here still applies.
The grant, right now
Is there still a home charger grant in 2026?
Yes, but eligibility has shifted since earlier versions of the scheme. Outright homeowners living in houses they own no longer qualify under the current EV Chargepoint Grant. It's now aimed at renters, flat owners and landlords installing for tenants, alongside separate, distinct schemes covering on-street residential parking, businesses and state-funded educational institutions. From April 2026 the maximum grant increased to £500 per socket, covering up to 75% of the combined purchase and installation cost — a significant rise from the previous £350 cap — with funding currently confirmed through March 2027. You also can't claim if you already received support through the older Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme (EVHS) or the Domestic Recharge Scheme for the same property.
Claiming it
How do I actually get the grant?
You don't apply for it directly yourself. Book your installation through an OZEV-authorised installer — they handle the application and paperwork on your behalf, and the grant amount is deducted straight from your invoice rather than paid to you. The charger itself has to be a "smart" charger that appears on the official approved product list, and the assessment typically takes around 10 working days on the current digital platform. If you previously registered under an older version of the scheme, you'll likely need to re-register on the new platform.
Cost & choosing a wallbox
What does installation actually cost, and how do I pick a unit?
Where you don't qualify for the grant, a straightforward domestic installation — a short cable run from an accessible consumer unit, no extra electrical work needed — typically runs from a few hundred pounds up to roughly £1,200-£1,500 including the charger itself. Costs rise if you need a new circuit, a consumer unit upgrade, or a long cable run to reach your parking spot. When comparing wallboxes, prioritise: a genuinely "smart" unit (needed for grant eligibility and useful for scheduling cheap-rate charging), a cable length that comfortably reaches your charging spot without straining, and an installer who is both NICEIC or equivalent certified and OZEV-authorised specifically — the two aren't automatically the same thing.
Electricity tariffs
Do I need a special tariff to charge cheaply?
Not strictly, but it usually pays to get one if you charge at home regularly. Dedicated EV or overnight tariffs offer several hours of significantly cheaper electricity, typically overnight, aimed squarely at EV owners who can schedule most charging into that window using the car's own scheduled-charging feature or the wallbox's app. Compare a few EV-specific tariffs against what you currently pay using your actual charging pattern rather than the headline rate alone — the cheapest advertised rate isn't always the best fit if your charging times don't line up with its cheap window.
What to expect
What happens on installation day?
- A qualified electrician assesses your consumer unit, existing circuits and cable route (often already done at a prior survey visit).
- Installation of a dedicated circuit and the wallbox itself, typically taking a few hours for a straightforward job.
- Testing and certification — you should receive an electrical installation certificate, which matters for home insurance and any future sale.
- Registration of the charger with your chosen electricity supplier if needed, and setup of any scheduled/smart charging features via the manufacturer's app.