Guides
EV charging
guides.
Straight answers on connectors, charging speeds and what actually fits your car. No jargon, no filler.
Buying Guides
Best Electric Cars for Long Commutes
For long commutes, prioritise real-world range at motorway speeds, overnight home charging on an off-peak tariff, and a car with strong rapid charging capability for occasional en-route top-ups. Real-world range matters more than the WLTP figure, especially in winter and at motorway speeds Overnight home charging on an off-peak tariff is the most cost-effective routine for daily commuters A wallbox and a quality Type 2 cable are the two essential pieces of kit before you start
How-to
How to Look After Your EV Battery for Maximum Life
Keep the battery in the middle charge range daily, avoid frequent rapid charging, and protect it from temperature extremes to get the most life from your EV battery. Set a daily charge limit around 80% in your car app or settings Use home AC charging as your primary method rather than rapid DC chargers Pre-condition the battery in winter while plugged in to protect range and cells
How-to
Should You Charge Your EV to 100% or 80%?
For daily driving, charging to around 80% is better for long-term battery health, though 100% is fine before a long trip. LFP batteries (some Teslas, many Chinese brands) tolerate regular full charges better than NMC Set a charge limit in your car's app or touchscreen settings Avoid regularly running the battery very low as well as very high
Comparisons
Rapid vs Fast vs Slow EV Charging Explained
Slow, fast, and rapid charging differ in power level, connector type, and where you would typically use them. Slow (up to 3 kW): three-pin at home, useful overnight or as a backup Fast (7-22 kW): wallbox or workplace charger, the everyday default for most drivers Rapid (50 kW+): motorway and retail hubs for topping up on longer journeys
Buying Guides
How Long Do Electric Cars Last?
Electric cars are built to last, with simpler drivetrains and fewer wearing parts than petrol vehicles, and most batteries are warranted for around 8 years. EV motors and drivetrains outlast most ICE components due to mechanical simplicity Battery capacity reduces gradually over years; charging habits have a meaningful effect Software updates and a maturing used market support long-term EV ownership
How-to
What Is a Solar Diverter for EV Charging?
A solar diverter redirects surplus electricity from your panels into your EV's battery rather than exporting it to the grid, letting you charge your car from energy you would otherwise barely benefit from. The Zappi charger by myenergi is the most popular UK home charger with solar diversion built in as a core feature Three modes let you charge from solar only, blend solar with grid, or use the grid at full speed depending on conditions Solar diversion and overnight off-peak tariff charging complement each other well and can be used together
How-to
Do You Need Permission From Your DNO to Fit an EV Charger?
For a standard 7kW home wallbox your installer handles all DNO notification as part of the job, but a three-phase or high-load installation requires formal DNO approval before work begins. Your Distribution Network Operator manages the local electricity grid and must be informed of new high-demand loads like EV chargers Standard single-phase 7kW installs involve a routine post-installation notification handled entirely by your OZEV-approved installer Three-phase 22kW installs need advance DNO approval, which can take several weeks, so plan ahead
Buying Guides
Best Home EV Charger for a Tesla in the UK
UK Teslas use a standard CCS2 inlet, so any Type 2 home wallbox will charge them, meaning you are not limited to Tesla's own Wall Connector and can choose whichever charger best suits your tariff, solar setup, or budget. Tesla Wall Connector integrates neatly with the Tesla app and is eligible for applicable grants, but third-party options offer better smart tariff or solar features Ohme is the top pick for Octopus Intelligent and similar smart tariff users; Zappi suits solar homes; Hypervolt and Pod Point are strong all-rounders Untethered chargers require a separate Type 2 cable for both home and public AC charging
Comparisons
Ohme vs Zappi vs Easee: Home Chargers Compared
Ohme, Zappi, and Easee each take a different approach to home EV charging, so the right choice depends on whether you want smart tariff integration, solar diversion, or a scalable multi-point ecosystem. Ohme excels at integrating with intelligent energy tariffs like Octopus Intelligent to automate cheap overnight charging Zappi's built-in solar diverter makes it the standout choice for homes with solar panels Easee's load-balancing design suits flats and multi-charger installs, but it is untethered-only so a cable is always required
How-to
The EV Chargepoint Grant for Renters and Flat Owners
Renters and flat owners can apply for a government EV Chargepoint Grant to help fund a home wallbox, provided they own or have ordered a qualifying electric or plug-in hybrid vehicle and use an OZEV-approved installer. The grant is claimed through your installer, who deducts it from your invoice rather than you applying directly Tenants need their landlord's consent before installation, and shared-parking situations need management company approval too Check gov.uk for current amounts and eligibility, as grant conditions are updated periodically
Buying Guides
What EV Charger Grants Are Available in the UK?
Several government grant schemes exist to help certain EV drivers and landlords offset the cost of installing a home chargepoint, though amounts and eligibility change so you must check gov.uk for current rates. The EV Chargepoint Grant targets renters, flat owners, and some landlords rather than homeowners with driveways A separate Workplace Charging Scheme covers businesses, charities, and small accommodation providers Grants are claimed through your OZEV-approved installer, who deducts the amount from your invoice
Buying Guides
What Comes in the Box With a New EV?
Most new EVs include a portable granny charger for emergency use, but not a wallbox or everything you need for daily home charging. A Mode 2 portable (granny) charger is standard on most new EVs; a Mode 3 Type 2 cable for wallbox use is included by some but not all manufacturers Rapid DC chargers at public stations always have tethered cables, so you never need to bring one for rapid charging Arrange wallbox installation and buy any missing cables before collection day to avoid a slow start
How-to
Your First Week With an EV: A Charging Checklist
The habits you form in your first week with an EV, setting a charge limit, scheduling off-peak sessions, and doing a practice public charge stop, make the rest of ownership feel effortless. Check which cables came with the car on day one: many do not include a Type 2 cable for wallbox and public AC charging Set your daily charge limit to around 80% and schedule overnight charging to coincide with your off-peak tariff window Do a deliberate practice stop at a public charger near home early in the week, before you need it under pressure
How-to
What Is the Workplace Charging Scheme?
The Workplace Charging Scheme is a UK government grant that helps businesses and organisations offset the cost of installing EV charge points for staff and fleet vehicles at their premises. Eligible applicants include businesses, charities, public sector bodies, and certain accommodation providers with dedicated off-street parking. Applications go through an OZEV-approved installer, who claims the grant contribution as part of the installation contract. Employees using workplace chargers to charge their own EV have historically benefited from a benefit-in-kind exemption; check current HMRC guidance for the latest rules.
How-to
Can You Claim Back VAT on EV Charging?
VAT-registered businesses can reclaim VAT on EV charging used for business purposes, but the rules differ between public, workplace, and home charging and require proper records. Public charging carries 20% VAT; collect a VAT receipt from the network after every business session Home charging uses the reduced domestic VAT rate; only the business proportion is reclaimable HMRC's advisory electricity rate simplifies employee mileage reimbursement; check the current rate at gov.uk
Buying Guides
Is It Safe to Use a Second-Hand EV Charging Cable?
A second-hand EV charging cable can be safe if it passes a thorough inspection, but damaged insulation, corroded pins, or missing certifications make a used cable a genuine electrical risk. Inspect the full cable length for cuts or abrasions, and check both connector ends for bent pins, burn marks, or housing damage Look for CE or UKCA markings and an IEC 62196 reference; missing markings are a red flag For most buyers, the price difference versus a new certified cable is modest and the peace of mind is worth it
Buying Guides
What Safety Certifications Should an EV Cable Have?
A safe EV charging cable should carry CE or UKCA marking, comply with IEC 62196 and IEC 61851, and ideally have been tested by a recognised third-party laboratory. IEC 62196 covers connector dimensions and interoperability; IEC 61851 covers the full charging system safety including the control pilot signal Third-party testing by TUV, Intertek, or BSI is more reliable evidence of safety than a self-declared CE mark alone Check the IP rating for outdoor use and inspect cables regularly for wear or connector damage
Buying Guides
How to Spot an Unsafe EV Charging Cable
Unsafe EV charging cables, often sold cheaply online without proper certification, can overheat and cause fires: knowing the warning signs before you buy or use a cable is essential. Look for UKCA or CE marking, a solid connector housing, and a functioning control box with indicator lights Bent or corroded pins, unusual heat during charging, and lightweight cable construction are all red flags Buy only from reputable UK retailers with clear certification details and a returns policy
Buying Guides
Are Cheap EV Charging Cables Safe?
Cheap EV charging cables from unknown brands can be genuinely unsafe, as they carry sustained high currents and must meet BS EN 62196 to do so reliably. Look for BS EN 62196 compliance, genuine CE or UKCA marking, and a current rating that matches your charger. Signs of a substandard cable include no standards references, absent documentation, and suspiciously low prices for high-amperage cables. If a connector runs warm or shows discolouration after charging, retire the cable immediately.
How-to
How Heat Affects Your EV Battery and Charging
High temperatures cause your EV's BMS to limit charge speed and can accelerate long-term capacity loss if the battery is regularly exposed to heat without adequate thermal management. The BMS reduces charge rate when the battery is too hot, especially after rapid charging Parking in shade and using pre-conditioning before rapid-charge stops helps Routine home AC charging is gentler on the battery than daily rapid DC charging
How-to
Should You Charge Your EV to 100% Before a Long Trip?
Yes, charging to 100% for a long trip is fine and sensible, as long as you depart soon after rather than leaving the battery fully charged for hours before setting off. For everyday use, staying below 80 to 90 percent protects long-term battery health Rapid chargers work fastest between roughly 20 and 80 percent, so planned en-route stops can be more efficient than relying entirely on a full charge from home Most modern EVs let you set a daily charge limit and override it to 100% when needed
How-to
How to Split EV Charging Costs When You Share a Charger
Splitting shared EV charging costs fairly is straightforward with the right method, from smart wallbox session logging to a simple mileage-based split. A smart wallbox with user profiles logs energy per driver and makes the split accurate and automatic Manual session logging via the car app works well for basic arrangements with no extra equipment A sub-meter on the charging circuit is the cleanest solution for formal landlord-tenant or multi-tenant setups
How-to
How to Charge an EV at a Friend or Family's House
Charging at someone else's home is straightforward if you bring the right cable, ask in advance, and offer to cover the electricity cost for the session. A three-pin socket with a granny charger is the most common option, adding roughly 60 to 90 miles overnight at a modest rate If your host has an untethered wallbox, bring your own Type 2 cable for a much faster charge Have Zapmap ready as a backup to find nearby public chargers if a home socket is unavailable
How-to
How to Future-Proof Your Home EV Charging Setup
Choosing an OCPP-compatible wallbox, sizing the supply cable generously, and planning for load management now means you can add solar, a second car, or V2G later without starting from scratch. An open-protocol (OCPP) wallbox integrates with solar inverters and future energy management systems. Dynamic load management lets you add a second EV charger without upgrading your incoming supply. A 10mm2 supply cable from the outset avoids costly rewiring if you upgrade to a higher-rated unit later.