EV Charger Buying Checklist: 10 Things to Check Before You Buy
Before buying a home EV charger in the UK, check 10 things: your supply type (single or three-phase), the cable run distance, your consumer unit's age and capacity, the power level you actually need, your car's onboard charger limit, solar diversion if you have panels, smart tariff compatibility, weather rating for the mounting spot, warranty terms, and finally get multiple installed quotes from qualified electricians. Installed bundles start around £999, with fitting typically £800-1,200 of any price.
Key Takeaways
- •Check your supply type (single or three-phase) and your car's onboard charging limit before choosing hardware.
- •The cable run from consumer unit to charger drives installation cost: longer runs and trenching add real money.
- •If you have solar, prioritise diversion-capable chargers like the myenergi Zappi or Hypervolt; if you charge overnight, prioritise tariff smarts like Ohme.
- •OCPP compliance future-proofs the charger for smart tariffs and energy management platforms.
- •Compare full installed quotes (bundles from about £999; fitting typically £800-1,200), not bare unit prices.
In this guide
The 10-Point Checklist
1. Check your power supply type. Single-phase (almost all UK homes) supports up to 7.4kW; three-phase supports up to 22kW but is rare in homes. Full guide here.
2. Measure the cable run. Walk the route from your consumer unit to where the charger will mount. Longer runs mean more cable, more labour and sometimes trenching; a charger near the board is the cheapest install.
3. Check your consumer unit's age and capacity. Rewireable fuses or a full board mean upgrade territory; a modern board with spare ways is usually fine. Consumer unit guide.
4. Choose your power level honestly. 7.4kW restores roughly 25 miles of range per hour: ample for overnight charging. Only pay for three-phase hardware if your supply and your driving genuinely demand it.
5. Check your EV's onboard charger. The car sets the AC ceiling: a 22kW wall unit cannot speed up a car limited to 7.4kW. Read the spec sheet before buying hardware.
6. Decide on solar diversion. If you have panels, a diverting charger (myenergi Zappi, Hypervolt) charges the car on surplus that would otherwise earn only the SEG export rate. Solar charging guide.
7. Check smart tariff compatibility and OCPP. If you will charge overnight, scheduling quality against your tariff is the killer feature (Ohme's speciality), and OCPP compliance keeps the charger compatible with future energy platforms.
8. Match the weather rating to the location. Fully exposed outdoor mounting needs a properly weatherproof unit; a garage or carport is kinder to any charger. Check the IP rating on the exact model quoted.
9. Compare warranties, and remember your statutory rights. Warranty terms vary by brand; the Consumer Rights Act 2015 also applies to the hardware and the installation regardless of warranty paperwork.
10. Get multiple installed quotes. Bundles start around £999 (Ohme Home Pro including standard installation); fitting alone typically runs £800-1,200. Every quote should name the exact charger model and include the circuit, protection, certification and any consumer unit work. Get free quotes here.
Red Flags to Watch For
Walk away from installers who:
- Quote without assessing your consumer unit (in person or via clear photos)
- Are vague about who exactly does the electrical work and what certification you will receive
- Suggest skipping the dedicated circuit or proper protection
- Push unbranded chargers at suspiciously low prices
- Pressure you to commit on the spot without a written, itemised quote
A quality installation protects your home, your car and your warranty cover. The cheapest quote that cuts the wrong corner is the most expensive one on a long enough timeline.
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