Why Install a Home Charger?
Over 80% of EV charging happens at home. A dedicated wallbox charger installed by a qualified electrician gives you significantly faster charging speeds, built-in safety features, smart scheduling to take advantage of off-peak electricity rates, and the convenience of waking up to a full battery every morning. For most EV owners in Wells, Bath, and the surrounding Somerset villages, a home charger transforms the ownership experience.
Types of EV Charger
3-Pin Plug (Granny Charger)
Charges at about 8 miles per hour. An emergency option, not recommended for daily use. Draws 10A continuously, which can overheat older sockets. No smart features.
7kW Wallbox (Single Phase)
The most common home charger. Charges at about 25-30 miles per hour. A typical EV goes from 20% to 80% in 4-5 hours. Smart scheduling, app control, and energy monitoring built in. Runs from your standard single-phase supply.
22kW Wallbox (Three Phase)
Three times faster than a 7kW unit. Requires a three-phase electricity supply, which most UK homes do not have. Ideal for businesses and commercial premises. Full charge in under 2 hours for most vehicles.
For the vast majority of homeowners, a 7kW single-phase wallbox is the right choice. It charges overnight comfortably, costs less to install, and works with every standard domestic supply.
Popular Charger Brands We Install
- Easee One -- compact, modular design with excellent app. Load balancing built in. Our most recommended unit for homes.
- Ohme Home Pro -- dynamic pricing integration, automatically charges when electricity is cheapest. Great for Octopus Go and Intelligent tariffs.
- Zappi -- designed to work with solar panels and battery storage. Diverts excess solar generation to charge your car for free.
- Tesla Wall Connector -- sleek design, integrates with Tesla app. Works with all EVs, not just Teslas.
- Hypervolt -- British-designed, 3-year warranty, solar-compatible, competitive pricing.
We are not tied to any single manufacturer, so we can recommend the best charger for your specific situation. See our full EV charger service page for more detail on each brand.
The OZEV Grant (Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme)
Save Up to £350
The Office for Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) still offers grants to help with installation costs. As of 2026, the EV chargepoint grant provides up to £350 (capped at 75% of the cost) towards a home charger. Eligibility criteria include:
- You must own, lease, or have ordered a qualifying electric vehicle
- You must have off-street parking (driveway, garage, or dedicated parking space)
- Available for homeowners, tenants (with landlord permission), and flat owners
- The charger must be installed by an OZEV-approved installer
DS Electrical is an approved installer. We handle the entire grant application as part of your installation -- no paperwork for you.
Installation Process
- Site survey -- we visit your property to assess the electrical supply, consumer unit capacity, cable route from the board to the charger location, and Wi-Fi signal strength for smart features. This is free and takes about 20 minutes.
- Quote -- you receive a fixed-price quote covering the charger unit, installation, all materials, testing, and OZEV grant deduction (if applicable).
- Installation -- typically completed in 2-4 hours. We install a dedicated circuit from your consumer unit to the charge point, fit the wallbox, and configure the app.
- Testing and handover -- every circuit is tested to BS 7671:2018. You receive an Electrical Installation Certificate. We walk you through the charger settings, scheduling, and app features.
EV Charger Installation Costs
| Installation Type | Typical Cost | After OZEV Grant |
|---|---|---|
| 7kW Wallbox (standard install, up to 10m cable) | From £850 | From £500 |
| 7kW Wallbox (longer cable run, 10-20m) | From £1,050 | From £700 |
| 7kW Wallbox + consumer unit upgrade | From £1,350 | From £1,000 |
| 22kW Commercial charger | From £1,800 | Grant varies |
Costs vary depending on cable route, consumer unit condition, and charger brand. Our quotes are fully transparent with no hidden extras.
What About My Electrical Supply?
A 7kW charger draws 32A continuously. Most UK homes have a 60A or 100A main fuse. If your supply is already heavily loaded -- electric hob, electric shower, immersion heater -- we may need to install a load management device to ensure the charger does not exceed your supply capacity. In some cases, particularly in older properties around Shepton Mallet and Frome, a main fuse upgrade from your DNO (Distribution Network Operator) may be required. We will identify this during the site survey and handle the process for you.
Charging Costs Compared
One of the biggest advantages of an EV is dramatically lower fuel costs. Here is how home charging compares:
- Home charging (standard rate): approximately 6-8p per mile
- Home charging (off-peak/Octopus Go): approximately 2-3p per mile
- Public rapid charging: approximately 18-25p per mile
- Petrol/diesel: approximately 16-20p per mile
Charging at home on an off-peak tariff costs roughly £4-5 for a full charge giving you 200+ miles of range. That is a fraction of what you would spend at a petrol pump.
Why Choose DS Electrical?
- NAPIT Approved & OZEV Registered -- we handle the grant application
- All major brands -- Easee, Ohme, Zappi, Tesla, Hypervolt, and more
- City & Guilds qualified -- 18th Edition, EV charger installation certified
- Fixed-price quotes -- no surprises after installation
- Solar integration -- we can connect your charger to solar panels for free driving
- Local -- Wells, Shepton Mallet, Bath, Frome, Midsomer Norton, Street, Cheddar