Why Home Charging Matters
The vast majority of EV owners do around 80–90% of their charging at home — typically overnight while the car is parked. Getting your home charging setup right means waking up to a full battery every morning, at a fraction of the cost of public charging.
Three-Pin Plug vs Dedicated Wallbox
Three-Pin Plug (EVSE Cable)
Using a dedicated EVSE cable plugged into a standard 13A socket delivers around 2.3kW — charging most EVs at around 8–10 miles of range per hour. It works as an emergency backup but is too slow for daily use. Charging a 60kWh battery from empty takes around 25 hours this way.
Dedicated Home Wallbox
A dedicated wallbox is a charging unit hardwired to your consumer unit by a qualified electrician. These operate at 7.4kW (single phase) or up to 22kW (three phase), dramatically reducing charge times.
At 7.4kW, a 60kWh battery charges from empty to full in approximately 8 hours — perfect for overnight charging.
Recommendation: get a wallbox installed. The faster charge speed, safety features, and smart scheduling make it the right choice for any EV used as a primary vehicle.
Which Cable Do You Need?
For a home wallbox, you need a Type 2 to Type 2 cable. Both the wallbox socket and your car's charge port use the Type 2 standard across the UK and Europe.
- Length: 5M if the wallbox is right next to where you park; 10M for more reach
- Phase: Single phase (7.4kW) for most homes; three phase only if you have a three phase supply and compatible wallbox and car
See our full guide: Which EV charging cable do I need?
Popular Home Wallboxes in the UK
- Zappi (myenergi) — smart charging, solar integration
- Ohme — smart scheduling, tariff integration
- Pod Point — widely available, straightforward installation
- Easee — compact, modern design
- Hypervolt — UK-designed, smart features
- Andersen — premium finish, cable management
How Long Does Home Charging Take?
| Method | Power | Range per Hour | 0–100% (60kWh) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Three-pin plug | 2.3kW | ~8 miles | ~25 hours |
| Wallbox (single phase) | 7.4kW | ~25 miles | ~8 hours |
| Wallbox (three phase) | 11–22kW | ~50–75 miles | 3–6 hours |
Cost of Home Charging
At a typical UK electricity rate of around 24p/kWh, charging a 60kWh battery from empty costs approximately £14.40 — for around 200–250 miles of real-world range. Compare this to £80–100 for the equivalent in a petrol car.
EV-friendly tariffs like Octopus Go offer off-peak rates as low as 7–10p/kWh overnight, cutting this cost further.
Get the Right Cable
All EV-LEK Type 2 cables are CE certified, IP55 weatherproof, and backed by a 5-year warranty. Available in 5M and 10M, single and three phase.
Browse all EV charging cables →
Not sure which cable suits your setup? Call us on 07903 297370 — Mon–Fri, 9am–5pm.