Owning an electric vehicle without a home charger is a bit like owning a smartphone without a charger at home — you can survive on public charging, but it's inconvenient, slower and often more expensive. Installing a home EV charging point transforms daily driving: you simply plug in when you get home and wake up to a full battery, at a fraction of the cost of public charging.

But before you book an installer, there are a few important things to understand — from the different types of charger available to whether your home's electrical installation is up to the job.

Types of Home EV Charger: 3.7kW vs 7kW vs 22kW

Home EV chargers fall into two main categories based on power:

For the vast majority of Sussex homeowners, a 7kW smart charger is the right choice. It charges most EVs fully overnight (typically 6–8 hours) and works on a standard single-phase 230V supply.

Does Your Consumer Unit Need Upgrading First?

This is one of the most important questions to ask before booking a charger installation. Most 7kW chargers draw around 32 amps and require a dedicated circuit from the consumer unit. Before an EV charger can be installed, your existing consumer unit must:

• Have a spare way (free slot) for a new MCB
• Have adequate RCD protection on the new EV charger circuit
• Be in good enough condition to accommodate the additional load
• Not already be close to the maximum capacity of the mains supply fuse

If your consumer unit is old, full or doesn't have adequate RCD protection, a consumer unit upgrade may be needed before or alongside the charger installation. Green Earth Sussex always assess your existing consumer unit as part of the pre-installation survey.

How Much Does Home EV Charger Installation Cost in Sussex?

A standard 7kW home EV charger installation in Sussex typically costs:

Can You Still Get a Grant for a Home EV Charger?

The original OZEV (Office for Zero Emission Vehicles) domestic grant ended in 2022 for most homeowners — however, the EV Chargepoint Grant still provides up to £350 (75% of the cost) for eligible homeowners in flats and in rental accommodation. Homeowners in houses generally no longer receive a grant unless they live in rented or leasehold accommodation.

For landlords and businesses, separate grant funding is still available through the EV Infrastructure Grant for Residential Car Parks and the Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS). Green Earth Sussex can advise on current eligibility and help you apply.

EV Charger Installation Across Sussex

Green Earth Sussex install home and workplace EV chargers across all of East and West Sussex. We install leading brands including Zappi, Ohme, Hypervolt and Easee, and handle everything from the initial survey through to installation, commissioning and OZEV grant applications.

Find out more and get a free quote on our EV Charger Installation page, or call 01273 076860.