EV Chargers: Your Ultimate Guide

Public chargers are usually defined by their kilowatt power, and depending on the battery size of your electric vehicle, some will be better suited than others.

As we’ve seen, many charging points are readily available across the country, and several types of charging suit every need, but will this trend continue? 

A good way to assess the growth of our EV charging infrastructure is to look closely at revenue forecasts for the coming years. This gives insight into how the market hopes to tackle increased demand, particularly in light of recent government commitments to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars between 2030 and 2035. 

This plan aims to accelerate the uptake of green transport options, so how will this affect the EV charging industry? Recent reports suggest the UK EV charging market is expected to grow by 19.35% (CAGR) by 2028 at approximately £1,072.647 million. 

Below is a projection of revenue growth of UK EV charging stations between 2016 and 2027. There is a rapid increase from 2021 onwards, with predicted revenues of around £296.9 million in the next 4 years. 

Market reports indicate that this growth has been caused by large company investments in recent years. Some of these notable commitments include: 

With this increase in investments and predicted market growth, hopes are high for the future of our EV infrastructure if we continue to progress at this rate.

In addition to knowing which speed of charge your EV needs, you will also need to know what kind of connection (or plug type) it uses. Much like every car takes specific tyres, your vehicle will come with all the information you need to find the right charging connection (this is just like picking the correct fuel pump at the garage). 

There are 4 main connection types, which correlate to charge speed. We’ve detailed these types below with examples of how they each look. Different connection options may be available at the station point depending on the charge speed and type of charger you use. 

Owning an electric vehicle saves money on highly volatile traditional fuel costs. However, many wonder, ‘How much does it cost to charge an electric car?’. 

Free charging points are available across the country. However, these are typically found in places known as ‘destination charging’ points. These are places where you will park for a limited amount of time, such as supermarket car parks, office buildings, hotels, etc. For example, they allow you to recharge while shopping or working. 

These are highly convenient ways to keep your car topped up. However, costs are involved if you’re making long journeys or needing to charge your car overnight at home. For example, ‘on the go’ charging stations, which are those found at service stations or garages, usually offer higher speed chargers at a price. 

Many EV chargers work alongside an app or contactless payments for easy use. However, some older charging stations can require membership or pre-payment cards (luckily, these are being phased out). 

How much you pay to charge an EV will depend on several factors, such as where you charge, the price of electricity at the time and what type of charger you use. 

According to industry experts, Zapmap, as of November 2023, charging through the public network cost on average:

Typical annual costs (depending on charging habits) can range from £1,020 - £1,620, compared to the average costs for a combustion engine vehicle, estimated at £1,540. 

Industry suppliers Pod Point recommends that you calculate the average cost of a full charge for your own EV using this formula: 

Tariff (28p/kWh) x Battery size (100kWh) ÷ 100 = Cost to fully charge (£28.00)

Below are some typical costs, as of December 2023, that you might expect to pay for a rapid charge using various public network suppliers.

With the rise of vehicles as an option, many drivers are considering installing electric vehicle charging stations at home and budget-friendly charging solutions. Here are some steps in setting up an electric vehicle charger points

When selecting a home EV charger, consider the following factors:

Before installation, ensure you meet these requirements:

While it might be tempting to DIY, professional installation is crucial for safety and warranty reasons. Here's what to expect:

Installation costs in the UK typically range from £300 to £1,000, depending on complexity. Factors affecting cost include:

Installing a home EV charger offers numerous advantages:

Ensure your installer is OZEV-approved and registered with a competent person scheme like NICEIC or NAPIT. This guarantees compliance with UK electrical regulations and safety standards.

To make the most of your home EV charger:

Remember, home charging is typically much cheaper than public charging, with average costs around 5-14p per kWh compared to 20-40p per kWh at public stations.

Here, we compare the best home EV chargers in the UK, highlighting their costs, power capacity and notable features. It's worth mentioning that the prices and functionalities can differ based on the models and setups. Additionally, it's essential to consider that installation expenses are usually not factored into these prices and may fluctuate depending on the situation.

As the landscape of electric vehicles continues to evolve in the UK, concerns have risen about our ability to keep up with the need for ample charging stations. As we’ve seen, the latest number of stations nationwide has surpassed 50,000 public use chargers. 

This increase shows that the demand and supply for electric vehicles are stronger than ever. With the announcement of recent Government policies, we can only expect this interest to grow in the coming years. 

Using solar panels to power electric vehicle (EV) charging stations offers several benefits. Solar-powered EV charging stations guarantee a 100% carbon-neutral footprint, as the electricity is generated from renewable solar energy rather than fossil fuels. 

Companies like BMW, Mitsubishi, and Whole Foods have implemented innovative solar-powered charging station designs, combining solar panels with visually appealing structures like canopies and arches to provide shade while charging EVs with clean energy.

The vast offering of different charging types, from home installation to free top-up supermarket stops, makes chargers much more accessible. Opening more charging ways could encourage people to switch to a highly efficient, zero-emissions vehicle. For instance, for home EV charging, a typical setup includes rooftop solar panels, an inverter to convert the DC power to AC, and a Level 2 EV charger compatible with the solar system, allowing homeowners to charge their EVs using renewable solar energy.

Although variable, the costs associated with charging are becoming increasingly competitive and are often offset by long-term savings in fuel. Moreover, the growing number of charging points and strategic installations at key locations, such as motorways and supermarkets, make electric vehicle ownership more convenient and practical.

As the country takes steps towards achieving its sustainability goals, the continued evolution of our charging infrastructure will undoubtedly be a key driver in accelerating the widespread adoption of clean and sustainable transportation.