Electric vehicles are becoming a common sight on the roads around Nantwich, Crewe and the wider South Cheshire area.
And with that comes a growing number of homeowners asking the same question: can I get a charger at home, and what does it involve?
The short answer is yes, in most cases it is straightforward. But there are a few things worth understanding first.
Your consumer unit matters more than you might think
The first thing a qualified electrician will look at is your consumer unit – the fuse box.
A home EV charger draws 7kW continuously, which is a significant load.
Older consumer units, particularly those with rewireable fuses rather than modern circuit breakers, may need upgrading before a charger can be safely installed.
This is not a reason to be put off, it is simply something to factor into your budget.
A consumer unit upgrade typically costs between £500 and £900, and many homeowners find it is overdue anyway.
The DNO notification requirement
One thing many homeowners do not realise is that installing an EV charger involves notifying your District Network Operator – the company responsible for the local electricity network.
In South Cheshire, that is Electricity North West.
A competent electrician handles this as part of the installation process – for most standard 7kW home chargers, they can complete the installation and submit the notification afterwards.
If you ever come to sell your home, missing DNO notification can cause complications, so it is worth making sure whoever installs your charger takes care of this correctly.
Smart chargers are worth the extra cost
Basic chargers do the job, but a smart charger, one that connects to your home Wi-Fi and integrates with your energy tariff, can make a significant difference to your running costs.
If you are on a time-of-use tariff such as Octopus Go, a smart charger can be set to charge your car automatically overnight when electricity is cheapest.
If you have solar panels, or are planning to install them, some chargers can also prioritise your own generated energy – charging your car on free solar power rather than drawing from the grid.
What does installation cost in the Nantwich area?
For a straightforward installation – existing consumer unit in good condition, charger going on an external wall close to the fuse box – expect to pay between £800 and £1,200 all in, including the unit and labour.
More complex installs, where longer cable runs or a consumer unit upgrade are needed, can run to £1,500 or more.
The best way to get an accurate figure is a quick home survey – most local electricians offer these free of charge.
Portcullis Power Solutions are a Wybunbury-based electrical contractor covering Nantwich, Crewe, Sandbach and the surrounding area.
For more information on EV charger installation in Cheshire, or to arrange a free home survey, visit portcullispower.co.uk or call 01270 919999.
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