Guides
EV charging
guides.
Straight answers on connectors, charging speeds and what actually fits your car. No jargon, no filler.
Compatibility
Can You Power Your House With an EV?
Partly: V2L can run essential appliances from a capable EV today, but powering the whole house through its wiring needs a V2H system and professional install. V2L keeps a fridge, lights and router going in a power cut, up to around 3.6kW Whole-home backup needs V2H hardware wired into your consumer unit Never back-feed home wiring yourself; it is dangerous and illegal without the right kit
Comparisons
V2L vs V2G vs V2H: What's the Difference?
V2L powers plugged-in devices, V2G feeds power to the grid, and V2H powers your whole home, each needing progressively more equipment. V2L needs only a capable car and an adapter, no installation V2G needs a bidirectional charger and a supporting tariff V2H needs dedicated hardware wired into your consumer unit
Buying Guides
What Length EV Charging Cable Do I Need?
Most drivers are fine with a 5m cable. Measure from the charge point to your car's inlet, add a little slack, and size up for on-street or awkward parking. A quick pick for every situation, with the lengths to match.
How-to
How to Power Appliances From Your EV With V2L
To power appliances from your EV you need a V2L-capable car and a V2L adapter that turns the charge port into a mains socket, then plug in and stay under the car's limit. Confirm your car supports V2L before buying anything Typical output is up to around 3.6kW, so add up appliance wattage Great for camping, tools and keeping a fridge running in a power cut
Buying Guides
Which Cars Support V2L in the UK?
V2L is supported by cars like the Kia EV6, Hyundai Ioniq 5 and 6, and some MG and BYD models, but availability varies by trim, year and market. Hyundai and Kia E-GMP models are the most reliable for V2L Check your exact car's spec sheet and handbook, not just the model name V2L cannot be retrofitted to a car that was not built with it
Compatibility
What Is V2L (Vehicle-to-Load)? A Simple Guide
V2L lets a supported EV power external devices through an adapter that turns the charging port into a mains socket, typically up to around 3.6kW. Great for camping, tools, events and short power cuts Only works on V2L-capable cars, so check your model Not the same as V2G (sell to grid) or V2H (power the whole house)
Buying Guides
Granny Charger Buying Guide: What to Look For
Choose a granny charger on current draw, plug and car connector type, cable length, adjustable amperage and build quality. Around 10A (2.3kW) is the ceiling for a standard 3-pin socket Match the car end to your inlet: Type 2 for post-2018 cars, Type 1 for some older ones Adjustable current and a solid control box with temperature protection matter most
Compatibility
Can You Use an Extension Lead With a Granny Charger?
No, using an extension lead with a granny charger is a fire risk and should be avoided; plug the charger directly into a wall socket. Granny chargers draw around 10A continuously for hours, which extension leads are not rated for Coiled reels are the worst option because trapped heat can melt the cable Avoid multi-way adapters and smart plugs too; if the socket is too far, get one fitted properly
Buying Guides
How Long Does It Take to Charge an EV on a 3-Pin Plug?
A 3-pin plug adds around 8 to 10 miles of range per hour, so a small battery fills overnight and a large one takes a day or more from low. Roughly 2.3kW output, best for overnight top-ups A 60kWh battery from low takes over a day to fill Estimate time by dividing kWh needed by charger power
Compatibility
Can You Charge an EV From a Normal Plug Socket?
Yes, you can charge an EV from a normal 3-pin socket with a portable granny charger, slowly at around 2.3kW and plugged straight into the wall. Adds roughly 8 to 10 miles of range per hour Needs a proper portable charger, not any ordinary cable Never use an extension lead, adapter or smart plug
Buying Guides
How to Use a 3-Pin EV Charger (Granny Charger) Safely
Check the socket, plug the granny charger directly into the wall, connect it to the car, monitor early on, then stop at the car before unplugging. Use a modern wall socket on its own circuit, no extensions Adds around 8 to 10 miles of range per hour at ~2.3kW Stop charging at the car before removing the plug
Buying Guides
Does Charging an EV Raise Your Electricity Bill?
Yes, home charging raises your bill, but an off-peak EV tariff keeps the increase small and well below fuel costs. Standard rate roughly 25 to 28p/kWh, off-peak around 7 to 10p No separate meter or MPAN needed, a smart meter is enough Still cheaper per mile than petrol or diesel for most drivers
Buying Guides
How Much Electricity Does an EV Use?
A typical EV uses around 0.25 to 0.33kWh per mile, or roughly 3 to 4 miles per kWh. A 60kWh battery uses about 60kWh from empty to full Average annual use is roughly 2,500 to 4,000kWh, depending on mileage and weather Multiply kWh by your rate for cost, and check current rates
Buying Guides
Octopus Intelligent Go Explained for EV Drivers
Octopus Intelligent Go is a smart EV tariff that charges your car overnight automatically, often around 7 to 10p per kWh. You set a target charge and departure time, and the app handles timing It generally needs a smart meter and a compatible car or charger A 60kWh charge can cost around £4 to £5, but check current rates
Buying Guides
Cost Per Mile: EV vs Petrol and Diesel
An EV charged at home off-peak costs roughly 2 to 3p per mile, well below the 13 to 18p often seen for petrol and diesel. On a standard home rate an EV is around 7 to 9p per mile Public rapid charging can push costs toward or past petrol Divide your rate by miles per kWh and check current prices
Buying Guides
How to Cut Your EV Charging Costs: 8 Practical Tips
The biggest way to cut EV charging costs is charging at home overnight on an off-peak tariff, around 7 to 10p per kWh. A smart EV tariff automates the cheap window for you Precondition on mains, keep tyres inflated and drive smoothly for extra gains Save rapid chargers for long trips and check current rates
Buying Guides
How Much Does Public EV Charging Cost?
Public rapid EV charging usually costs around 45 to 80p per kWh, while slower public AC charging is cheaper. Rapid charging is far dearer than home charging at roughly 25 to 28p per kWh Rapid DC chargers are tethered, but AC points usually need your own Type 2 cable Save rapids for long trips and check current rates on each network
Buying Guides
Best EV Tariffs in the UK Explained (2026)
The best EV tariffs are smart off-peak plans like Octopus Intelligent Go and OVO Charge Anytime, often around 7 to 10p per kWh overnight. Off-peak rates cut costs versus a standard 25 to 28p per kWh tariff Most smart tariffs need a smart meter and a compatible car or charger Compare off-peak and day rates and check current prices
Buying Guides
When Is the Cheapest Time to Charge Your EV?
The cheapest time to charge your EV is overnight on an off-peak tariff, often around 7 to 10p per kWh. A 60kWh charge can cost around £4 to £5 overnight versus roughly £15 to £17 at standard rates Smart EV tariffs automate charging into the cheapest hours Use a timer on the car or charger and check current rates
Buying Guides
EV Charging Cost vs Petrol: How Much Do You Save?
Home charging, especially off-peak, usually makes an EV clearly cheaper per mile than a petrol car. Off-peak home charging around 7 to 10p per kWh gives the biggest saving Standard tariff home charging usually still beats petrol per mile Public rapid charging is the exception where costs can near petrol
Buying Guides
How Much Does It Cost to Charge an EV at Home?
Home charging cost is your battery size in kWh times your rate, and off-peak tariffs cut it dramatically. Standard tariff around 25 to 28p per kWh: roughly £15 to £17 for a 60kWh battery Off-peak tariff around 7 to 10p per kWh: roughly £4 to £5 for the same charge Speed does not change cost, only how fast the energy goes in
Compatibility
Mode 2 vs Mode 3 EV Charging Explained
Mode 2 is slow 3-pin granny charging, while Mode 3 is faster charging from a wallbox or post with a Type 2 lead. Mode 2: around 2.3kW from a domestic socket with an in-cable control box Mode 3: up to 7.4kW single phase from a dedicated wallbox or post Use Mode 3 daily and keep Mode 2 as backup
Buying Guides
What Charging Cable Does a Plug-in Hybrid Need?
A plug-in hybrid uses a Type 2 lead if post-2018 or a Type 1 lead if older, usually at a low AC rate. Post-2018 PHEVs use a Type 2 to Type 2 lead like full EVs Many PHEVs cap AC at around 3.7kW, so 16A or 32A both work A 32A single phase cable is the flexible, future proof default
Comparisons
16A vs 32A EV Charging Cables: What's the Difference?
A 16A cable carries around 3.7kW on single phase, a 32A cable up to 7.4kW, and 32A is the safe default. 16A: about 3.7kW single phase or 11kW three phase 32A: up to 7.4kW single phase or 22kW three phase 32A works on lower rated cars and never charges slower