EV charger installation — London
EV charger installation in London
OZEV-approved electricians installing 7kW smart EV chargers across all 33 London boroughs. Ohme, Zappi, Andersen, Hypervolt and Indra. PME earthing specialists for London terrace and flat properties. Supply and install from £800.
The London EV landscape
Why London homes need a dedicated EV charger
Over 40% of new cars sold in London are now electric or hybrid. The capital leads the UK in EV adoption — driven by the Ultra Low Emission Zone, the Congestion Charge exemption for zero-emission vehicles, and falling battery costs. The result is that hundreds of thousands of London households now own or are about to own an EV, and the question of where and how to charge is no longer hypothetical.
The problem is that London housing stock was built long before EVs existed. Victorian terraces, Edwardian semis, 1960s council blocks, and modern leasehold flats all present different challenges: limited outdoor socket access, ageing consumer units, shared parking arrangements, and earthing systems that were never designed for EV loads. Getting the installation right matters — both for safety and for making the most of smart charging features that can cut your energy bills significantly.
Public charging infrastructure in London is expanding, but it remains unreliable and expensive for daily use. A home charger pays for itself quickly. At typical London electricity tariffs, a full charge of a 60kWh battery costs roughly £10–£18 at home versus £25–£40 at a public rapid charger. On a smart off-peak tariff such as Octopus Go or OVO Drive Anytime, home charging can cost as little as £3–£6 for a full charge.
Workplace charging is growing too. London offices, car parks, and commercial premises are installing charge points to attract and retain staff, meet corporate sustainability targets, and comply with forthcoming Building Regulations Part S, which requires EV charge point provision in new commercial developments and major refurbishments.
Cost guide — London 2025
Prices include materials, labour, and NICEIC minor works certificate. VAT at 5% applies to residential EV charger installations. Survey required for complex or multi-unit installations.
Charger types explained
Mode 2, Mode 3, and rapid charging
Not all EV chargers are the same. Understanding the difference between Mode 2, Mode 3, and rapid charging helps you choose the right solution for your home or workplace — and avoid the safety and practicality pitfalls of using the wrong type.
3-pin plug charging
Mode 2 charging uses a standard 13A three-pin plug and a dedicated in-cable control and protection device (ICCPD). Output is typically 2.3kW — charging a 60kWh battery from flat takes around 26 hours.
Every EV comes with a Mode 2 cable for occasional emergency use. It is not suitable for regular overnight charging. The sustained 10–12 hour draw on a standard plug socket and ring main creates a genuine fire risk over time, particularly in older London properties with ageing wiring. We do not recommend Mode 2 as a primary charging method.
Dedicated wall charger
Mode 3 is the standard for home and workplace EV charging. A dedicated wall-mounted unit connects directly to a dedicated circuit from your consumer unit, delivering 7kW (single-phase, standard for UK homes) or 22kW (three-phase, for commercial premises).
At 7kW, a 60kWh battery charges from flat in approximately 8.5 hours — ideal for overnight charging. Smart Mode 3 chargers add app control, off-peak scheduling, solar diversion, and real-time energy monitoring. This is the solution we install for the vast majority of London homes.
Rapid and ultra-rapid charging
Rapid DC chargers deliver 50–350kW and can charge most EVs to 80% in 20–45 minutes. They require three-phase commercial supplies, specialist civil and electrical infrastructure, and significant grid capacity.
Rapid charging is appropriate for commercial car parks, petrol station forecourts, fleet depots, and destination charging locations. For London commercial premises interested in rapid charge point installation, we provide survey, design, and installation services. Contact us for a commercial quote.
Smart charger models
The smart chargers we install in London
A smart charger goes beyond simply delivering electricity. App control, energy tariff integration, solar diversion, load balancing, and real-time monitoring make smart chargers meaningfully different from basic wall sockets — and the savings on your energy bill can be substantial.
Ohme Home Pro
The Ohme Home Pro connects directly to your energy tariff via API and schedules charging automatically at the cheapest times — without you setting anything up. Compatible with Octopus Intelligent, OVO Drive Anytime, and most major EV tariffs. Displays real-time electricity pricing in the app and lets you set a target charge level and departure time.
Zappi by myenergi
The Zappi is the defining smart charger for homes with solar PV. It monitors your solar generation in real time and diverts surplus energy — energy that would otherwise be exported at low feed-in tariff rates — to charge your car first. Three charging modes: Fast (grid power), Eco (solar boost + grid top-up), and Eco+ (solar only). Essential if you have or plan to install solar panels.
Andersen A2
The Andersen A2 is the premium design choice. Available in over 25 finishes and cable management options, it is the charger architects and interior designers specify. Solid aluminium construction with a retractable cable reel — no cable hanging from the wall. Smart features include app control, scheduling, and energy monitoring. Popular in Chelsea, Kensington, and Hampstead.
Hypervolt Home 3
The Hypervolt Home 3 delivers 7.3kW with a clean, compact design. App control, scheduled charging, energy monitoring, and solar compatibility are all included. The Hypervolt app is widely regarded as one of the most polished in the category. A reliable, well-supported choice at a mid-range price point.
Indra Smart PRO
The Indra Smart PRO offers strong smart features at a competitive price. Tariff integration, solar diversion, load balancing, and a tethered or untethered option. OZEV-approved and backed by a UK-based support team. Good choice for budget-conscious buyers who still want full smart functionality.
What makes a charger "smart"?
A smart charger communicates via Wi-Fi or mobile network to enable: app-based remote control, off-peak scheduling tied to your energy tariff, solar surplus diversion, load balancing across multiple chargers, real-time energy monitoring, over-the-air firmware updates, and integration with smart home platforms like Google Home and Alexa. Non-smart chargers do none of this — they simply charge at full rate whenever plugged in.
Critical safety issue
The PME earthing issue: what every London EV owner needs to know
The majority of London properties — Victorian terraces, Edwardian semis, post-war flats, and most modern builds — are supplied by the electricity network under a system called TN-C-S, more commonly known as Protective Multiple Earthing or PME. Understanding how this affects your EV charger installation is not optional: it is a safety requirement covered by BS 7671 (the IET Wiring Regulations).
In a PME supply, your property's earth terminal is connected back to the electricity distributor's neutral conductor. Under normal operation this is entirely safe and works correctly. The vulnerability arises if there is a break or fault in the network neutral — a scenario that, while uncommon, does occur. If the neutral conductor breaks while your property is earthed via PME, the earth conductor in your property can rise to a significant fraction of the supply voltage relative to true ground.
For most household appliances this is not a concern — they are inside the property, not in contact with the ground. An EV parked outside is different. The car's bodywork sits on the ground (or is touched by a person standing on the ground), which creates a path to true earth potential. In a neutral fault scenario, this could make the car body live at a dangerous voltage. This is the PME earthing problem for EV chargers.
BS 7671 and the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles guidance set out two acceptable approaches for EV charger installation on PME supplies. The first is to install a TT earthing system — an earth electrode (a copper-clad steel rod driven into the ground near the charger) that provides an independent earth reference entirely separate from the PME network. An RCD protects the EV charger circuit and the earth rod provides true-earth reference independent of the network neutral.
The second approach is to use a charger that incorporates a PEN fault detection device — a built-in system that monitors the neutral conductor for faults and automatically disconnects the charger if a PEN fault is detected. Most modern smart chargers from Ohme, Zappi, Andersen, and Hypervolt now include this functionality, which simplifies installation on PME supplies considerably.
Not all properties have PME supplies. Older London properties, particularly some pre-war terraces and properties with private overhead service connections, may have TT supplies with their own existing earth electrode. Our engineers survey your existing earthing arrangement before every installation to determine the correct approach. Never use an installer who does not ask about your earthing system — it is a sign they are not working to BS 7671.
Book earthing surveyWhat is involved
EV charger installation requirements
A compliant EV charger installation involves more than bolting a unit to your wall. Here is what our engineers assess, specify, and install on every job.
Dedicated circuit from consumer unit
Every EV charger requires its own dedicated radial circuit from your consumer unit — it cannot share a ring main or existing circuit. The circuit must be sized for the charger output (7kW at 32A for single-phase). If your consumer unit is full or does not have a suitable spare way, we upgrade or replace it as part of the installation.
Outdoor-rated enclosure and cable routing
The charger unit must be IP44-rated or higher for outdoor installation. Cable routing from the consumer unit to the external wall must be planned carefully — typically surface-mounted conduit externally, or buried armoured cable for underground runs to detached garages or outbuildings. We plan cable routes to minimise disruption and meet the requirements of BS 7671 Section 722.
Tethered vs untethered
Tethered chargers have a fixed cable permanently attached — convenient for daily use as there is nothing to connect beyond the car plug. Untethered chargers have a socket (Type 2) that you plug a separate cable into — useful if you own multiple EVs with different connector types or share the charger. We advise on the right option based on your vehicle and usage.
Earthing assessment and TT electrode
As detailed above, we assess your existing earthing arrangement on every installation. For PME (TN-C-S) supplies without a PEN fault detection device in the chosen charger, we install a TT earth electrode. This is a non-negotiable safety requirement under BS 7671, not an optional extra.
RCD and overcurrent protection
The EV charger circuit requires RCD protection (Type A or Type B depending on the charger) to provide shock protection. Overcurrent protection (MCB) sized to the circuit cable and charger rating is required at the consumer unit. The exact specification depends on the charger model and cable run length.
Commissioning and certification
On completion, the charger is commissioned — tested, connected to the app, and verified for correct operation. A minor works certificate (NICEIC) is issued covering the electrical installation. For OZEV grant claims, we provide the relevant OZEV paperwork and installation confirmation. The charger warranty is registered on your behalf.
OZEV grants — 2025 position
What EV charger grants are available in London in 2025?
The Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme (EVHS) — which previously provided a grant of up to £350 to individual homeowners — closed to new residential applicants in April 2022. It is no longer available for homeowners or private tenants installing a charger at their home address, regardless of when they purchased their vehicle.
The scheme that remains available in 2025 is the EV Infrastructure Grant for residential car parks, administered by OZEV (Office for Zero Emission Vehicles) through Innovate UK. This grant is targeted at buildings with shared or communal parking — blocks of flats, apartment complexes, housing association properties, and residential car parks — rather than individual houses.
Under the EV Infrastructure Grant, eligible applicants can claim up to 75% of the cost of purchase and installation of EV charge points, subject to a maximum of £500 per socket and a cap of £250,000 per applicant. The grant requires a minimum of one charge point per ten car parking spaces in the facility, and all work must be carried out by an OZEV-approved installer.
For London leasehold flat owners and managing agents: if your building has a shared car park with at least one parking space, it is worth investigating whether a multi-point EV infrastructure installation is viable. Grant-funded installations can make the per-space cost very competitive, and multiple residents can benefit from a single application. We can advise on eligibility and assist with the grant application process.
What OZEV-approved means
OZEV approval (previously called OLEV approval) is a government accreditation scheme for EV charger installers. To claim any OZEV grant funding, the installation must be carried out by an installer on the OZEV-approved list. The scheme requires installers to demonstrate:
- Qualified electricians with specific EV charger installation training
- Current membership of a Part P competent person scheme (NICEIC, NAPIT, or ELECSA)
- Public liability insurance of at least £2 million
- Adherence to OZEV installation standards and documentation requirements
- Ability to submit grant claims on behalf of customers
Even when no grant funding is available — such as for most individual homeowners in 2025 — using an OZEV-approved installer ensures you receive a compliant installation to current standards, with correct certification. This matters for buildings insurance, car warranty, and any future grant schemes that may be introduced.
Flats and leasehold properties
EV chargers in leasehold flats and managed blocks
Leasehold flat ownership is the dominant tenure type across much of central London — in boroughs such as Westminster, Kensington and Chelsea, Islington, Hackney, Tower Hamlets, and Southwark, the majority of residents are leaseholders in converted or purpose-built blocks. Installing an EV charger in a leasehold property involves an additional layer of process that does not apply to freehold houses.
The fundamental rule is straightforward: you cannot carry out any works to communal areas, shared parking, external walls, or the building fabric without written consent from the freeholder or their managing agent. Doing so without permission is a breach of most standard leases and can result in you being required to remove the installation at your own cost. Always obtain written permission before booking an installation.
The good news is that the EV (Smart Charge Points) Regulations 2021, combined with the Leasehold Reform (Ground Rent) Act 2022, have shifted the legal landscape somewhat in leaseholders' favour. Freeholders are required to consider requests reasonably and cannot unreasonably withhold consent for EV charger installation where the works are competently specified and do not cause disproportionate disruption. Where freeholders refuse unreasonably, leaseholders have redress options.
We can assist with the technical specification document that managing agents typically require as part of their consent process. This covers charger specification, electrical methodology, earthing solution, cable routes, and reinstatement approach — the information a managing agent needs to assess the proposal without requiring expensive specialist surveys of their own.
Shared car park installations
For blocks with shared or underground car parks, a coordinated multi-point installation often makes more sense than piecemeal individual installs. Benefits include:
Shared car parks qualify for the OZEV EV Infrastructure Grant — up to £500 per socket, covering 75% of supply and installation costs.
Multiple chargers with smart load balancing share available electrical capacity without requiring expensive grid upgrades.
One cable infrastructure serves multiple spaces — far more cost-effective per space than individual installs.
Managed systems allow per-resident billing and access control, removing the equity concerns that arise when one resident has a charger and others do not.
How it works
From survey to charge: the installation process
Survey and quote
We visit the property to assess your consumer unit, earthing arrangement, cable routes, and preferred charger location. We confirm the right charger model and produce a fixed-price quote with no surprises.
Charger selection
We advise on the right charger for your vehicle, energy tariff, and home setup — whether that is a tariff-optimised Ohme, solar-diverting Zappi, or premium Andersen. We supply all equipment.
Installation day
Our OZEV-approved electricians install the dedicated circuit, run cables to your agreed location, mount the charger, complete earthing works, and connect everything up. Most standard installs are complete in a half day.
Commissioning and handover
We commission the charger, connect it to the app, test all functions, and walk you through operation. We issue your NICEIC minor works certificate and register the charger warranty on your behalf.
Common questions
EV charger installation London: frequently asked
What EV charger grant is available in 2025?
The Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme (EVHS) ended for homes in April 2022 and is no longer available to individual homeowners. As of 2025, the OZEV EV Infrastructure Grant remains available for residential car parks — typically applicable to blocks of flats, apartment buildings, and managed parking facilities rather than individual houses. Eligible buildings can claim up to 75% of the cost of purchasing and installing EV chargepoints, up to £500 per socket and a maximum of £250,000 per applicant. All installation work must be carried out by an OZEV-approved installer to qualify.
How long does an EV charger installation take in London?
A standard 7kW home EV charger installation typically takes between two and four hours. This covers running a dedicated circuit from your consumer unit, installing the wall charger unit in a suitable outdoor location, and completing all commissioning and testing. More complex installations — such as those requiring a new consumer unit, significant cable runs, or a TT earthing rod for PME supplies — may take a full day. We survey all installations before quoting to give you an accurate estimate.
Can I install an EV charger in a leasehold flat?
Yes, but you will need written permission from your freeholder or managing agent before work can begin. For leasehold flats with shared or communal parking, the installation may fall under a commercial or residential car park grant rather than a domestic scheme. You cannot unilaterally install an EV charger on communal land or in a shared car park without freeholder consent, and doing so could breach your lease. We can assist with the technical specification document that managing agents typically require as part of the permission request.
What is the PME earthing issue with EV chargers in London?
PME stands for Protective Multiple Earthing, also known as TN-C-S. It is the most common supply arrangement in London and means your property's earth is combined with the electricity supplier's neutral conductor. Under normal conditions this is safe, but a broken neutral on the network can raise the earth potential to a dangerous voltage. EV chargers present a particular risk because a car touching the ground creates a path to true earth — potentially making the car body live if a neutral fault occurs. The IET Wiring Regulations (BS 7671) require that EV chargers on PME supplies either have an earth electrode (TT earth rod) installed to provide an independent earth reference, or use a charger with an integrated PME disconnection device. Most modern smart chargers include automatic disconnection circuitry, but our engineers will assess your specific supply and earthing arrangement before installation.
What is the best home EV charger in 2025?
The right charger depends on your priorities. The Ohme Home Pro is popular for its dynamic smart charging that integrates with your energy tariff and charges automatically at the cheapest times. The Zappi by myenergi is the best choice if you have or plan solar panels, as it can divert excess solar generation to your car. The Andersen A2 is the premium aesthetic option, offering a sleek designed unit available in multiple finishes. Hypervolt offers a reliable mid-range smart charger with solid app control. Indra Smart PRO is competitively priced with strong tariff integration. All of these support 7kW single-phase charging, which is the standard for UK homes and provides roughly 25–30 miles of range per hour of charging.
Ready to install
Book your EV charger installation across London
OZEV-approved electricians. All 33 London boroughs. Fixed prices. PME earthing specialists. Survey before every quote. All major smart charger brands supplied and installed.