Choosing a home EV charger without the guesswork
Buying a home EV charger should feel simple, but the choices can add up quickly. Tethered or untethered? Is 7kW enough? And what does your electrician actually need to check before they can fit it?
This guide answers those questions in plain English, so you can choose with confidence and avoid surprises on installation day.
The quick answer
For most UK homes with a driveway or private parking space, a 7kW (7.4kW, 32A) single phase charger is the sensible choice. It is fast enough to refill most cars overnight and does not need a three phase supply.
Choose a tethered charger if you want the simplest daily routine. Choose an untethered charger if you want a tidier wall, more flexibility, or your car has a different connector.
What does 7kW actually mean?
The "7kW" label describes the charger's maximum power output. A 32 amp single phase supply at around 230 volts gives about 7.4kW, which is why you will see 7kW, 7.2kW and 7.4kW used for the same type of charger.
In real life, that adds roughly 20 to 30 miles of range per hour, depending on how efficient your car is. A 60kWh battery charged from empty takes in the region of eight to nine hours, although most drivers top up rather than start from zero.
For comparison, a standard three pin socket usually delivers around 2.3kW. It works for occasional use, but it is slow, and a dedicated charger is the better option if you charge regularly.
Two things can limit your charging speed:
- Your car. Every vehicle has an onboard charger that sets the maximum AC power it will accept. Some cars, including a number of hybrids that you can plug in, accept less than 7kW. Check your handbook.
- Your supply. Faster 11kW and 22kW chargers need a three phase supply, which most homes do not have.
New to home charging? Our guide on how to charge an electric car at home covers the basics.
Tethered vs untethered: which is better?
The difference comes down to the cable.
A tethered charger has a charging cable permanently attached. An untethered charger has a Type 2 socket, and you plug in your own cable.
Tethered chargers
Why people like them
- Plug in and go, with no cable to find in the boot
- Quick and convenient every day
- Cables are commonly supplied in lengths from around 5m to 8m
Things to consider
- The cable length is fixed, so measure from the wall to your car's charging port before you buy. The port position varies from car to car
- The cable hangs on the wall or on a holster, which some people find less tidy
- The attached plug suits cars with a Type 2 inlet, which is standard on most modern UK electric cars
A good example is the FastAmps Alpha7 7.4kW 5m tethered EV charger, a compact unit with a Type 2 cable already attached.
Untethered chargers
Why people like them
- A neater wall, with no cable hanging down
- You choose the cable length, and you can swap it if your next car needs a different one
- Handy if visitors bring their own cable
Things to consider
- You need to buy a suitable cable and store it somewhere clean and dry
- Check the cable rating. A 16 amp cable limits charging to around 3.7kW, so choose a 32 amp rated Type 2 cable to make full use of a 7kW charger
- Some older electric cars, including some older Nissan Leaf models, use a Type 1 inlet. A Type 2 tethered charger will not connect directly to these cars, so an untethered unit with a Type 2 to Type 1 cable is the usual solution
The FastAmps Alpha7 7.4kW socket EV charger is the untethered equivalent of the model above. Both are rated at 7.4kW (32A), with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and Ethernet connectivity, an IP54 enclosure and a three year warranty.
Which should you choose?
- Pick tethered if you want the quickest routine and you only have one car with a Type 2 inlet.
- Pick untethered if you want flexibility, a tidier look, or you drive a car with a Type 1 inlet.
Smart features: what comes as standard
Under the Electric Vehicles (Smart Charge Points) Regulations 2021, new home chargers sold in Great Britain since 30 June 2022 must have smart functionality. In practice, that means:
- The charger can send and receive information over a network, so you can schedule and monitor charging
- It keeps its smart features if you change electricity supplier
- It comes with default charging hours outside the weekday peaks of 8am to 11am and 4pm to 10pm, which you can accept, change or remove
That makes it easier to charge when electricity demand is lower. Some models, including the FastAmps Alpha7, also support dynamic solar charging if you have solar panels.
What your installer needs to check
A home EV charger is not a plug and play job. Installing one usually means adding a new circuit, which is notifiable electrical work under Part P of the Building Regulations in England. It should be carried out by a qualified electrician registered with a competent person scheme, who can certify the work, notify Building Control through their scheme and tell your local network operator.
Installers work to BS 7671, the IET Wiring Regulations, which has a dedicated section for EV charging. The latest version, Amendment 4:2026, became the only current edition on 15 October 2026.
A good installer will check the following.
1. Where the charger will go
They will look at your parking space, the nearest suitable wall, how exposed it is to the weather, and how far the cable needs to reach to your car's charging port.
2. A dedicated circuit
Your charger needs its own circuit. It cannot share one with sockets, lighting or other appliances, because it draws a high load for hours at a time.
3. Your consumer unit
The installer will check whether your existing consumer unit has the capacity and a suitable way for the new circuit. Some installers fit a small dedicated EV consumer unit near the charger, such as the Cudis EV consumer unit with 40A RCBO and surge protection. Your installer will specify the right protective devices for your charger and cable. You can browse the full range of circuit protection equipment for the wider installation.
4. Your supply capacity
The installer will consider your home's overall electricity demand. If your supply is limited, they may recommend a charger or setup that can manage the load.
5. Earthing and PEN fault protection
Many UK homes have a PME supply, also known as TN-C-S. On these, special protection is required to guard against a rare fault in the combined earth and neutral conductor of the network supply. This can be built into the charger, or provided by other means such as an earth electrode. Some chargers, including the FastAmps Alpha7 models above, include integrated PEN fault detection.
6. DC fault protection
Protection against DC leakage current must be provided, either by the charger itself or elsewhere in the installation. Many chargers include 6mA DC detection for this purpose.
7. The right cable
The cable to the charger needs to be sized for the load, the length of the run and how it is installed. Your electrician will calculate this, so it is not something to guess.
8. Wi-Fi coverage
Smart features rely on a connection, so it helps to check your Wi-Fi reaches the charger location, or that the charger offers an alternative such as Ethernet.
9. The paperwork
You should receive an Electrical Installation Certificate and confirmation that the work has been notified. Keep these safe, as you may need them when you sell your home or change your insurance.
Do you need planning permission?
In England, a wall mounted charger at a home with a driveway or private parking space usually does not need planning permission. Listed buildings and some other situations can be different, so check with your local planning authority if you are unsure. Rules in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland also differ.
If you rent, get your landlord's written permission before any work begins.
Can you get a grant?
The government's EV Chargepoint Grant currently offers up to 75% of the cost, capped at £500 per socket, from 1 April 2026. It is aimed at renters and flat owners, and at landlords. Owners of houses with their own driveway are not eligible for this particular grant.
You normally need to apply and receive approval before installation, and use an approved installer. The scheme is funded until 31 March 2027, but rules can change, so check the latest details on GOV.UK before you buy.
A simple checklist before you buy
- Check your car's charging inlet type and its maximum AC charging rate
- Measure from your planned wall position to the car's charging port
- Decide between tethered and untethered
- Look for the safety features you need, such as integrated PEN fault detection and DC protection
- Check the smart features and app suit how you charge
- Ask your installer for a survey before you commit
Frequently asked questions
Is a 7kW charger enough for home use?
Yes, for most households. It can add roughly 20 to 30 miles of range per hour, which is enough to replace a typical day's driving overnight.
Will a tethered charger work with any electric car?
A tethered charger with a Type 2 cable works with the vast majority of modern UK electric cars. Some older cars use a Type 1 inlet, so check your car before you buy.
Can I install an EV charger myself?
Installation is notifiable electrical work in England, so it should be carried out by a qualified electrician registered with a competent person scheme. They can certify the work and handle the required notifications.
Do I need a smart charger?
New home chargers sold in Great Britain must have smart functionality by law, so you will not find a non smart option for home use. You can still keep things simple and plug in whenever you like.
Can I charge using a three pin plug instead?
It is possible with a suitable cable, but charging is slow at around 2.3kW. A dedicated charger is the better choice if you charge regularly.
What if my home does not have a driveway?
A fixed home charger needs a suitable place to park close to a wall or post. If you rely on on street parking, speak to a qualified installer or your local council about the options available.
Ready to choose your charger?
Browse our full range of home EV chargers, including tethered and untethered models from trusted brands. You will find free delivery on orders over £100 and our price match promise.
Not sure which is right for you? Call our friendly team on 03339 969999 and we will be happy to help.
