OUR INSTALLATION SERVICE FOR DOMESTIC EV CHARGERS
UK Green Energy Installations installs electrical vehicle (EV) chargers in the home counties including Surrey, Hampshire and Berkshire. Brands of EV chargers include Rolec, Podpoint and Zappi chargers.
This page provides you with the following information:
The process for EV charger installation so you can understand what’s involved
Factors you may want to consider, which may
also impact which charger you can chooseFrequently asked questions (FAQs)
Process to your perfect EV Solution FOR YOUR HOME
Our process following your inquiry starts with a site visit to ascertain the following key points that will lead us to providing you with a bespoke choice of unit to suit your needs and your property:
STEP ONE - Find out the type of earthing system for your property, given by your electricity supplier, in this area this is usually TNC-S (PME), TN-S, or TT.
STEP TWO - Find out the specific proposed location of the new car charging unit.
STEP THREE - Calculate the distance from the meter and consumer unit to the new proposed location of the new car charging unit.
STEP FOUR - Find out your current electrical supply capacity and the amount of spare capacity you have for a charging unit.
STEP FIVE - See if there is the possibility of installing an earth rod and inspection pit local to the charging unit.
STEP SIX - Inform your DNO (distribution network operator) of the new install.
FACTORS YOU MAY WANT TO CONSIDER
Some of the factors you may want to consider ahead of a domestic installation include:
1. Do you want smart charge or plug-and-charge basic EV charger?
Plug-and-charge of basic will not be grant approved.
2. Can / will you allow installers to install an earth rod?
If not, there will need to be separate PME protection.
3. Do you want a system compatible with solar?
If you'd like to take advantage of solar to help charge your car when this opportunity becomes available, it is worth considering this before investing because it will impact your choice of EV charger.
frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Can I charge my car from a standard house socket?
In some cases yes, but it's much faster and safer to use a designated car charging point. A typical designated charging point will charge at 7KW, whereas a standard socket will only supply a maximum of 3KW.
Home chargers are also much safer as they are designed to deliver a constant level of power over long periods. Our installation engineer will check that your property’s wiring and consumer unit are up to the required BS7671 UK standard. A designated home charger also uses dedicated electric vehicle sockets, that are more robust and weather proof than domestic three pin sockets.
Are there many places for me to charge my car when I’m out and about, and planning a longer journey?
Yes, there are now many charging stations that can be used. Payment is generally made via apps. A good site for available charging stations and planning you journey is www.zap-map.com.
They also have a great easy to use app that is free to download here:
iSO - Zap Map on ISO ADROID - Zap Map on ANDROID.
Will a designated charger work for all electric cars, or are there specific chargers for different manufactures of cars?
The charging units we install will work on all standard electric cars sold in the UK.
How much does it cost to install an electric car charger at home?
Installation costs start from £860 + VAT with the government now offering up to 75% of the cost, to a maximum value of £350. UK Green Energy Solutions can help with this paperwork and process to make the application very simple to complete. Office for zero emission vehicles
Can anyone plug into my home charger?
Your home charging unit will be controlled by you. This can be achieved via an app on your mobile phone (allowing you to switch it on and off) or on some basic chargers via a standard key, that'll only fit your charger. The apps used on Rolec chargers will also give you charging information when you are plugged in such as charge status including a time to fully charged. This app can be downloaded here ISO or ANDROID.
What is available for charging my car at my work place?
From April 2020, the Government offers grants for Work Place Charging (WPC) for a value of up to 75% of the cost of the unit, to a maximum value of £350. However, this amount covers each outlet instance. Therefore, if a double outlet unit is fitted, the grant reimbursed would be £700. This offer in place allows up to 40 outlets per company. Workplace charging scheme
Other considerations are needed for a workplace environment such as durability including additional protection (eg. Barriers and signage) and how fees will be charged to users. UK Green Energy Solutions can offer a variety of options to suit different circumstances and environments to ensure the best option is installed.
What is an earth rod?
An earth rod is a type of earth electrode that is usually made of copper and can be driven into the ground by means of a hammer and drive bolt, then enclosed in an inspection pit for future testing and inspecting for corrosion and general condition. The earth for the new EV charging point is then connected to this earth rod via a copper insulated cable.
Do I need an earth rod for my new EV Charger?
The main earth from the property (usually supplied by the electricity supplier, unless a TT system), should not be used to earth the charge point. Alternatively, it is earthed using earth rods or earth electrodes. The requirements in BS7671 (18th Edition wiring regulations) aims to ensure that the voltage between any exposed metal work and true Earth is kept below 70V – the voltage where an electric shock could cause injury.
Is there an alternative to using earth rods or earth electrodes?
Yes, there are PME fault protection devices available, these units completely disconnect all phases and earth, if a PME fault is detected.
How fast will my car charge?
A typical electric car (60kWh battery) takes just under eight hours to charge from empty-to-full, with a 7kW charging point. Most drivers top up charge rather than waiting for their battery to recharge from empty-to-full. For most electric cars, you can add up to 100 miles of range in ~35 minutes with a 50kW rapid charger.
What areas in the UK do you cover?
UK Green Energy Installations is based on the border of Hampshire, Surrey and Berkshire. Therefore, if you’d like an electric car charger installed and you live in any of the following towns, you can be assured that we can help. Car charger installation in Fleet, Farnborough, Aldershot, Camberley, Basingstoke, Sandhurst, Crowthorne, Frimley, Guildford, Woking, Farnham, Wokingham, Finchampstead, Reading, Bracknell, Godalming.