If you have bought an electric car or are thinking about it, a home charger is usually the most convenient and affordable way to keep it topped up. Plugging in overnight on your own driveway beats queueing at a public charger, especially on a cold Edinburgh evening.

But not every home is set up for it straight away. Here is what to think about before you book an installation.

Do you have off-street parking?

The first question is simple: can you park on your own land, next to your home? Driveways, garages and private parking spaces usually work well. If you park on the street, a home charger is often not practical, because cables cannot safely be run across a public pavement. Many Edinburgh tenements and terraced streets fall into this category, and public or workplace charging may be the better option for now.

If you live in a flat with private allocated parking, a charger may be possible, but you will usually need permission from the factor, the owners or the management company, and the cable route can be more complex.

Your electricity supply

A home charger draws a significant, sustained load. Before installing, an electrician will check:

The incoming supply and main fuse. Some older homes have a smaller supply. The electrician will assess whether your supply can cope with the charger alongside everything else.
The earthing arrangement. EV chargers have specific earthing and protection requirements, especially outdoors. Many modern chargers include built-in protection that helps with this.
Notification to the network operator. Chargers above a certain size generally need to be notified to the distribution network operator, and in some cases approval is needed first. Your installer should handle this.

Your consumer unit

The charger usually needs its own dedicated circuit from the consumer unit, with suitable protection. If your consumer unit is old, full or lacks the right protection, it may need upgrading as part of the job. It is better to know that at survey stage than on installation day. Our plain-English guide to consumer units explains what an upgrade involves.

Where the charger goes

Think about:

Where your car's charging port is, and how you usually park.
Keeping the cable run short and tidy, without trip hazards.
Wall strength and suitability for mounting.
Wi-Fi signal, if you want app control.
Appearance, if you are in a conservation area or a listed building. In these cases, check with the council whether permission is needed.

Many chargers can be mounted on a wall or a post, and a tethered cable or a socket-only unit is largely a matter of preference.

Smart charging

Home chargers sold in Great Britain generally need to have smart functionality. In practice, that means you can schedule charging for cheaper times, monitor use and, in some cases, link to a tariff designed for EV owners. If you have solar panels, some chargers can prioritise surplus solar power.

Pick a charger that suits how you will actually use it. A simple, reliable unit with a good app is often better than one with features you will never touch.

Funding

Government and Scottish support for home chargers has changed several times, and eligibility can depend on whether you own or rent, live in a flat, or are a landlord. Check current schemes with official sources or Home Energy Scotland rather than relying on older articles online.

What happens on installation day

Typically, the electrician will isolate the supply, fit the charger, run the cable to the consumer unit, install the protection, test everything and commission the charger with its app. You should receive an electrical installation certificate and instructions. Installation time depends on the cable route and whether any consumer unit work is needed.

Questions worth asking

Have you checked my supply and consumer unit, and is any upgrade needed?
Where will the cable run, and how will it be protected?
Will you handle any network operator notification?
Which charger do you recommend for my car and my routine, and why?
What certificates and warranties will I receive?

The short version

You need off-street parking, a supply that can take the load, a suitable consumer unit and a sensible charger position. Get those checked first, choose a smart charger that fits your routine, and let a qualified electrician handle the notification and certification.

If you would like a home charger survey in Edinburgh or the Lothians, send your address, car model and a photo of your consumer unit through the contact form and we will be in touch.

Request a charger survey

Thinking About a Home EV Charger in Edinburgh? What to Know First