A dedicated home charger is faster, safer, and cheaper per mile than public charging. Charging from a standard 3-pin plug is painfully slow and not recommended long-term. For most EV owners in Wells, Bath, and the surrounding Somerset villages, a home charger transforms the ownership experience.
Why Install a Home Charger?
Over 80% of EV charging happens at home. A dedicated wallbox charger installed by a qualified electrician gives you significantly faster charging speeds, built-in safety features, smart scheduling to take advantage of off-peak electricity rates, and the convenience of waking up to a full battery every morning.
Types of EV Charger
3-Pin Plug (Granny Charger)
Charges at about 8 miles per hour. An emergency option, not recommended for daily use. Draws 10A continuously, which can overheat older sockets. No smart features.
7kW Wallbox (Single Phase)
The most common home charger. Charges at about 25-30 miles per hour. A typical EV goes from 20% to 80% in 4-5 hours. Smart scheduling, app control, and energy monitoring built in. Runs from your standard single-phase supply.
22kW Wallbox (Three Phase)
Three times faster than a 7kW unit. Requires a three-phase electricity supply, which most UK homes do not have. Ideal for businesses and commercial premises. Full charge in under 2 hours for most vehicles.
For the vast majority of homeowners, a 7kW single-phase wallbox is the right choice. It charges overnight comfortably, costs less to install, and works with every standard domestic supply.
Popular Charger Brands We Install
- Easee One -- compact, modular design with excellent app. Load balancing built in. Our most recommended unit for homes.
- Ohme Home Pro -- dynamic pricing integration, automatically charges when electricity is cheapest. Great for Octopus Go and Intelligent tariffs.
- Zappi -- British-made, three charging modes (Fast / Eco / Eco+), part of the myenergi ecosystem, Type A RCD built in.
- Tesla Wall Connector -- sleek design, integrates with Tesla app. Works with all EVs, not just Teslas.
- Hypervolt -- British-designed, illuminated tube, 3-year warranty, competitive pricing.
We are not tied to any single manufacturer, so we can recommend the best charger for your specific situation. See our full EV charger service page for more detail on each brand.
Installation Process
- Site survey -- we visit your property to assess the electrical supply, consumer unit capacity, cable route from the board to the charger location, and Wi-Fi signal strength for smart features. This is free and takes about 20 minutes.
- Quote -- you receive a fixed-price quote covering the charger unit, installation, all materials and testing.
- Installation -- typically completed in 2-4 hours. We install a dedicated circuit from your consumer unit to the charge point, fit the wallbox, and configure the app.
- Testing and handover -- every circuit is tested to BS 7671:2018. You receive an Electrical Installation Certificate. We walk you through the charger settings, scheduling, and app features.
How We Price EV Charger Installation
No two installations are the same, so we don't publish a price list. The price depends on the charger you choose, the cable route from your consumer unit, and the condition of the board. Your written quote sets out exactly what is included, charger and all, with no hidden extras.
What About My Electrical Supply?
A 7kW charger draws 32A continuously. Most UK homes have a 60A or 100A main fuse. If your supply is already heavily loaded -- electric hob, electric shower, immersion heater -- we may need to install a load management device to ensure the charger does not exceed your supply capacity. In some cases, particularly in older properties around Shepton Mallet and Frome, a main fuse upgrade from your DNO (Distribution Network Operator) may be required. We will identify this during the site survey and handle the process for you.
Charging Costs Compared
One of the biggest advantages of an EV is dramatically lower fuel costs. Here is how home charging compares:
- Home charging (standard rate): approximately 6-8p per mile
- Home charging (off-peak/Octopus Go): approximately 2-3p per mile
- Public rapid charging: approximately 18-25p per mile
- Petrol/diesel: approximately 16-20p per mile
A full charge at home on an off-peak tariff gives you 200+ miles of range for a fraction of what you would spend at a petrol pump.
Why Choose DS Electrical?
- NAPIT Approved -- Part P notified through NAPIT
- All major brands -- Hypervolt, Zappi, Ohme, Andersen, Project EV, Wallbox
- City & Guilds qualified -- 2382 (18th Edition); Type A RCBO plus the charger’s built-in 6 mA DC detection on every EV install
- Site survey, fixed written quote -- every job priced individually after site visit
- 24-hour callouts -- if anything goes wrong after install, we're a phone call away any hour
- Local -- Wells, Shepton Mallet, Bath, Frome, Midsomer Norton, Street, and surrounding areas
Related: EV Charger Installation Service | 24-Hour Callouts | Consumer Unit Upgrade Guide | EICR Testing
Common questions
What does an EV charger installation involve?
A home EV charger installation involves: a site survey to assess supply capacity and cable route; running a dedicated cable from the consumer unit (typically 6–10mm² twin and earth or SWA armoured for long runs); installing a Type A RCBO in the consumer unit; mounting the charge point; commissioning and app setup; and issuing an electrical completion certificate.
Where is the best place to mount an EV charger?
The ideal location is on the wall closest to your car's charge port with the shortest cable run from the consumer unit. Outside walls are preferred — car ports and driveways work well. Garages are common but require armoured cabling if underground. The charge point should be within reach of the car without the cable crossing a walkway.
Do I need permission from my landlord or management company to install an EV charger?
Leaseholders typically need written consent from the freeholder or management company. We can provide a technical specification letter to support your consent application.
What if my consumer unit does not have a spare way for an EV charger circuit?
We assess your consumer unit before installation. If no spare way exists, options are: replace the consumer unit with a larger one, install a mini distribution board for the garage or outbuilding supply, or use a load management device to share an existing circuit safely. We quote all options at the survey stage.