EV Charger Installation: How Much Can You Save Charging at Home?
With more than 2 million zero-emission vehicles now licensed on UK roads, electric vehicles (EVs) have firmly moved into the mainstream.
According to the Department for Transport, the number of zero-emission vehicles increased by more than 31% during 2025 alone, highlighting the growing shift towards electric transport.
As more homeowners and businesses make the switch, one question continues to come up: what is the real cost to install EV charger systems, and how much money can they actually save?
While the upfront investment is an important consideration, the long-term savings often make installing a dedicated EV charger a worthwhile investment.
In this guide, we’ll compare the costs of charging at home versus using public charging networks, look at the typical EV charger installation cost UK homeowners can expect, and explore how businesses can benefit from investing in workplace charging infrastructure.
Why More Drivers Are Charging at Home
Public charging networks continue to expand across the UK, making EV ownership more practical than ever. However, for most drivers, charging at home remains the most convenient and cost-effective option.
A dedicated home charger allows you to charge your vehicle overnight, avoid queues at public charging stations, and take advantage of cheaper electricity tariffs that can significantly reduce running costs.
Charging simply becomes part of the everyday routine. Plugging in overnight means starting each day with a fully charged vehicle without needing to make additional stops during the week.
How Much Does It Cost to Charge an EV at Home?
Charging an electric vehicle at home depends on several factors, including your electricity tariff, vehicle efficiency, battery size, and annual mileage.
Drivers who use off-peak EV tariffs can often access significantly lower overnight electricity rates, helping to reduce running costs further.
Home charging typically costs between 2p and 8p per mile, depending on energy prices and vehicle efficiency.
By comparison, petrol and diesel vehicles often cost between 13p and 20p per mile in fuel.
To give this a real, a driver covering 8,000 miles per year could spend:
- £160–£640 per year charging an EV at home
- £1,040–£1,600 per year fuelling a petrol or diesel vehicle
While individual costs vary, charging at home can significantly reduce annual running costs for most drivers.
Home Charging vs Public Charging
Public charging plays an important role in supporting long-distance travel, however, it is typically more expensive than charging at home.
Rapid and ultra-rapid public chargers offer speed and convenience, but they often come at a premium. Drivers using public charging networks also pay a higher rate of VAT on electricity than those charging at home, which can further increase costs.
That’s why many EV owners use public chargers only when necessary, relying on home charging for most of their day-to-day driving, benefitting from lower charging costs, greater convenience, and more predictable running expenses.
What are the EV Charger Installation Costs in the UK?
The cost of installing an EV charger in the UK will vary depending on the charger selected and the complexity of the installation.
In most cases, UK homeowners can expect to pay between £800 and £1,500 for a professionally installed smart EV charger.
Factors that can influence the overall cost include:
- Charger specification and features
- Cable routing requirements
- Distance from the consumer unit
- Electrical upgrades that may be required
- Groundworks or external installation requirements
- Property type and parking arrangements
For most homes, a 7kW smart charger offers the ideal balance between charging speed, functionality, and cost.
A qualified installer will assess your property’s electrical system and recommend the most suitable charging solution for your needs.
How Quickly Can You Recoup the Installation Cost?
Homeowners are often surprised by how quickly a charger can offset its installation cost.
Drivers who regularly charge at home can often recover the cost of installation within one to three years through reduced fuel costs alone, depending on their mileage and charging habits.
The savings can be even greater for households with multiple electric vehicles or drivers covering longer distances throughout the year.
Smart chargers can also be programmed to charge during off-peak periods, helping homeowners maximise savings over the long term.
Can an EV Charger Add Value to Your Property?
Home charging is quickly becoming a feature that many buyers actively look for when searching for a property.
For those who already drive an electric vehicle, having a charger already installed is a real advantage. It removes the need to arrange installation after moving in and avoids the additional upfront cost and disruption.
Government policy is also reinforcing this shift. New regulations now require many new homes, workplaces and large retail sites such as supermarkets to include EV charging infrastructure as standard.
Over time, this is expected to make EV charging capability a normal expectation for most property buyers rather than an added extra.
Research from Zoopla also suggests that installing an EV charger could increase property value by up to £5,000, depending on location, charger type and wider market conditions.
Commercial EV Charger Installation for Businesses
The benefits of EV charging extend far beyond residential properties.
UK businesses are increasingly investing in workplace charging infrastructure to support employees, customers, visitors, and company fleets.
Installing commercial EV chargers can help organisations:
- Support sustainability and net-zero objectives
- Enhance employee benefits
- Attract environmentally conscious customers
- Future-proof commercial premises
- Prepare for the continued growth of electric vehicles
- Support fleet electrification programmes
From offices and industrial facilities to retail sites and hospitality venues, workplace charging can deliver both operational and reputational benefits.
As more employees and customers switch to electric vehicles, having charging facilities available can become a valuable differentiator.
Professional Installation from Butco
EV chargers place significant demand on a property’s electrical system, so professional installation is essential for safety, compliance, and long-term performance.
A qualified installer ensures your system is correctly specified, fully compliant with UK regulations, compatible with smart tariffs, and ready for future upgrades where needed.
At Butco, we don’t just install EV chargers, we help homeowners and businesses get more from their renewable energy setup. Alongside charging solutions, we offer solar panel installation, air source heat pumps, and more, helping you reduce energy costs and reliance on the grid.
Whether it’s a home installation or a commercial charging setup, our team provides tailored advice and end-to-end support. If you’re thinking about installing an EV charger, get in touch to find the right solution for your property.