Follow This Easy Step-By-Step Guide to Charge an Electric Car at Home
Going electric after owning a petrol or diesel car for decades can, in many ways, feel like you're learning to drive all over again. While the fundamentals are still the same, you'll have to rewrite a lot of your current habits with car maintenance, particularly when it comes to keeping it fueled up and road-ready.
Obviously, the big difference with electric vehicles (EVs) is that they don't need fuel in the traditional sense—they use battery-powered motors rather than oil or diesel-powered engines. You've probably never charged an electric car before, so doing it at home for the first time is understandably a bit nerve-wracking.
The good news is that charging an EV very quickly becomes as easy and mindless as topping up your fuel tank. But if you need some pointers for your first charge, we're breaking down the steps involved to charge an electric car at home in this guide.
1. Find Out What Type of Home Charger You Have
First, if you've already installed an electric vehicle charging setup, you need to know which type of charger you have. Or, if you haven't selected a charger yet, you'll want to be aware of the three most popular options:
Granny Chargers
Granny chargers use a basic three-pin plug attached to a charging cable that plugs into a regular socket in your home.
They provide slower charging (up to 24 hours, depending on the size of your car's battery), but they'll get the job done if you don't drive long distances and don't mind keeping your car on charge pretty much whenever it's not in use.
Type 1 Chargers
The more efficient solution is Type 1 chargers, which are those you'll often see in public EV charging setups. These offer rapid charging, usually delivering 15 to 30 miles of range per hour of charging, so they make sense if you want your car to be ready to drive at any time in the day, without having to commit to an overnight charge.
Type 1 rapid chargers are attached to a wall-mounted unit connected to your home’s electrical supply. So, you'll need to install a dedicated home EV charger if you want to charge your electric car more efficiently.
Type 2 Chargers
Type 2 chargers are versions of the Combined Charging System. These higher-powered chargers combine the standard AC charging port with two extra DC pins, and can add 100+ miles of range in 20–30 minutes, so they're the best of the best if you want to charge your car as quickly as possible.
In terms of compatibility, most new electric cars can be used with any chargers at home or public EV charging stations, so this shouldn't be an issue when you're choosing between different options.
If you haven't yet installed your electric car charger, we're here to help you make the right decision for your needs. We offer electric vehicle charger installation services, and we're happy to answer any questions you might have about your EV charging options before you commit to a purchase.
2. Park Close to the Charger
Since your EV charging cable will only extend so far, you need to park close enough to charge your car without pulling on the socket.
Most people install an EV home charging point on their driveway, in their garage, or at another off-street parking spot, for two simple reasons:
- It makes it easily accessible in a location where your car is likely to be parked anyway.
- It's on your private property, which is preferred—you'll have to check with your local council if you don't have a driveway and will need to charge your car on the street.
The charging port on your car should line up with the charger or cable. If your charging station uses a tethered cable (meaning that it's attached), you'll be ready to start charging. But if your charger is untethered, get it out from your car boot or wherever you're storing it.
3. Plug In the Cable
Open your car’s charging port flap (typically found on the right or left rear of the vehicle). Then, follow one of the two steps outlined below.
If you’re using a tethered charger, take the attached cable and push it firmly into your car’s charging port until you hear the sound of it clicking into place.
If you’re using an untethered charger, plug one end of your own charging cable into the wall unit, then plug the other end into the car's charging port.
How do you know the cable is connected? Your car will usually beep or flash its lights briefly to let you know, and a light may display on the charging unit or cable itself. If your EV home charger has an app, this should also tell you if the car is charging with a status update.
4. Wait, Then Unplug The Cable
When you're certain that your car is charging, you can go off and do your own thing. Electric car charging usually takes up to 1 hour with type 3 DC charging, with some ultra-rapid chagers providing 100% charge within 30 minutes.
If you're not using a dedicated electric car charging station, your car may need a full night to reach full charge, possibly even longer.
You can check your charger's smartphone app to see if your car is fully charged, or look on your car's dashboard if you're using a granny charger (or you just don't like to use an app).
Once the car hits 100% charge, simply pull the cable out of the charging port. If you're using your own cable, unplug the other end from the wall outlet and put it back in storage for next time.
5. Shut the Charging Port
This last step might seem obvious, but it's easy to forget: if you have a dedicated home charging point, make sure to shut the flap on the station (if it doesn't shut automatically), and close the door on your car's charging port to prevent rain and dust from getting inside.
And that's it—you've successfully used an EV charger to charge your electric car.
The process can feel a bit alien at first, but once you've done it a few times, it'll feel as easy as charging any other electronic device.
If you're ready to make the move to a dedicated home charging solution for your electric car, contact us to discuss our EV charger installation services. We can help you choose the right EV charging station for your budget and preferences.
FAQs: More on How to Charge An Electric Vehicle At Home
Still got questions on the electric vehicle charging process? There's a good chance we've answered them in this FAQ.
Do You Have to Charge an Electric Car to 100% Every Time?
Wondering if you should always charge your car to 100% or if you can remove the charger earlier? Actually, constantly charging your car to 100% may damage the vehicle's battery and reduce its lifespan. The good news is that most EV chargers used at home and public charging stations shut off automatically once the vehicle reaches full charge.
Can You Charge an Electric Vehicle with a Normal Plug?
Yes, you can charge an electric vehicle with a normal plug, but most electric car drivers will tell you that it's much better to invest in a dedicated home EV charging station, which offers rapid charging—often within a 1-hour charging session rather than 24 hours. Yes, electric car charging points cost money, but trust us, you'll much prefer the convenience of a rapid charger.
How Much Does it Cost to Charge a Car with a 3-Pin Plug?
It'll typically cost around £12 to £23 to charge a car with a 3-pin plug, but this depends on your electricity tariff (which can change) and the size of the battery.
Which is Better, a 3kW or 7kW Home Charger?
A 7kW EV charger is generally better than a 3kW charger because it'll charge your car faster. Most EV drivers prefer 7kW chargers because they allow for a faster charging session, even though they're the more expensive home charger option. That said, 7kW is still on the low end, with some public chargers offering a super-fast charging speed and higher power levels of 50kW or even 150kW.
Can You Use an Extension Lead With An Electric Car Charger?
No, you ideally shouldn't use an extension lead with a 3-pin plug in your EV charging setup. While it's not dangerous to do so, extension leads aren’t rated for long-term high-power use, and there's a greater risk of fires and electrical faults. It's always best to use a dedicated EV charging station.
