--- title: "EV home charger cost: installation, running costs and savings" description: "EV home charger cost: buying and installing a home charge point, charging costs compared with public chargers, and a worked example of the yearly saving." author: "Wealtie Team" published: 2026-11-13 updated: 2026-11-13 category: "Budgeting" canonical: https://wealtie.com/blog/ev-home-charger-cost --- # EV home charger cost: installation, running costs and savings EV home charger cost covers the charge point and installation, but charging at home, especially overnight on a cheap tariff, usually costs far less than public charging. In a worked example, a home charger costing 900 installed saves about 500 a year. ## Key takeaways - EV home charger cost covers the charge point and installation. - Charging at home, especially overnight on a cheap tariff, usually costs far less than public charging. - In a worked example, a 900 home charger saves about 500 a year. - Check for grants and whether your home's wiring needs upgrading. ## What is the EV home charger cost? If you own or are thinking of buying an electric car, a home charger can make it much cheaper to run. A dedicated home charge point charges faster and more safely than a normal plug socket, and lets you take advantage of cheap overnight electricity tariffs. The cost covers the charger itself and installation by a qualified electrician, which can rise if your home needs extra wiring or a longer cable run to the driveway. In a worked example, a home charger costs about 900 installed and saves about 500 a year compared with relying on public chargers. Grants and schemes for home chargers vary by country and change over time, so check what's available. Some car dealers and energy companies include a charger or installation discount with a new car or tariff. You'll need off-street parking, like a driveway or garage, for a home charger in most cases. Without it, home charging is harder, though some areas are introducing kerbside options. If you rent or live in a flat, ask your landlord or management company before arranging installation, since you'll usually need permission. Some schemes help renters and flat owners specifically. If home charging isn't possible, workplace charging or cheap overnight public chargers nearby can still keep costs down compared with relying on rapid chargers. It's also worth checking whether your car came with a charging cable that suits a home charger, or whether you'll need to buy one, since cables can cost more than you'd expect. ## How much does home charging save? Here's a worked example of a year of charging, in round numbers that work in any currency: | Option | A year | | --- | --- | | Public chargers | 900 | | Home charger, night tariff | 400 | ![A year of charging an electric car. Public chargers: 900, Home charger, night tariff: 400.](https://us-1-s3.polodev.net/wealtie-blog-media/posts/2026/11/a-year-of-charging-an-electric-car-public-chargers-900-home-55f1e259ee.webp "Source: Worked example in round numbers") Charging at home on a cheap night tariff costs much less per mile than rapid public chargers. In this example, the saving of about 500 a year means the charger pays for itself in under two years. Your own figures depend on how far you drive, your car's efficiency and your electricity tariff. [Electric car running costs](https://wealtie.com/blog/electric-car-running-costs) covers the full cost of running an EV. ## What affects the cost of a home charger? ### The charger Basic chargers do the job well. Smart chargers let you schedule charging for cheap hours and track use through an app, which helps you save more. ### Installation A straightforward installation near the fuse box costs less. Long cable runs, extra wiring work or upgrades to your home's electrical supply add cost. ### Tethered or untethered A tethered charger has a cable attached. An untethered one needs your own cable. The difference in price is small, so choose what's more convenient. Tethered chargers are quicker to use every day, while untethered ones look neater on the wall. ## How do you charge as cheaply as possible? ### Switch to a time-of-use tariff Many energy suppliers offer tariffs with cheap overnight rates designed for electric cars. Scheduling charging for those hours is the single biggest saving. ### Charge little and often Topping up overnight is cheaper and easier on the battery than relying on rapid charges when the battery is nearly empty. Many drivers set a charge limit for everyday use and only fill up fully before long trips, which helps the battery last longer. ### Use solar power if you have it If you have solar panels, charging during sunny days uses free electricity. [Are solar panels worth it?](https://wealtie.com/blog/solar-panels-worth-it) covers that option. ### Use public chargers wisely Free or cheap destination chargers at supermarkets or workplaces can help. Rapid chargers are convenient on long journeys but cost more. ## Is a home charger worth it? For most EV drivers with off-street parking, yes. The savings on charging usually pay back the cost within a few years, and charging overnight is far more convenient than visiting public chargers. If you drive very little, the payback is slower, and a standard socket might be enough for occasional top-ups, though it's much slower. [How much car can I afford?](https://wealtie.com/blog/how-much-car-can-i-afford) covers budgeting for the car itself. ### Save rather than borrow A home charger is a one-off cost worth saving for if you can. [How to save for a big purchase](https://wealtie.com/blog/how-to-save-for-a-big-purchase) covers how, and [how to save money on your electric bill](https://wealtie.com/blog/save-money-on-electric-bill) covers the rest of your home energy. ## How do you track charging costs in Wealtie? Add your energy bill as a [recurring transaction](https://wealtie.com/features/recurring), so it logs itself on its date. Keep public charging in a transport category among your [expense categories](https://wealtie.com/features/categories), and set a [budget](https://wealtie.com/features/budgets) to compare home and public charging over time. ## Questions people ask ### How much does an EV home charger cost? In a worked example, a home charger costs about 900 including installation. Extra wiring can add to the cost. ### Is charging at home cheaper than public charging? Usually, especially overnight on a cheap tariff. In a worked example, home charging saves about 500 a year. ### Is a home charger worth it? For most EV drivers with off-street parking, yes. The savings usually pay back the cost within a few years. ### How can I charge my EV at home more cheaply? Switch to a time-of-use tariff, schedule charging overnight and use solar power if you have it. *This article is general information, not financial, tax or legal advice. Your situation is your own; check the numbers that apply to you before you act on them.*