If you are thinking about switching to an EV and you hope to be able to charge it at home, don’t delay in considering your home charger. Lorraine Haskell from trade body EVCC gives us her list of questions to ask any installer.
Charging with an Electric Vehicle (EV) home charger is both safer and quicker than using a domestic plug socket. EV manufacturers recommend that drivers have an approved EV charger installed at home when they buy an EV.
As the Electric Vehicle Homecharging Scheme comes to an end for owner-occupiers in March 2022, this is a critical time to ensure the highest standards are maintained amongst installers. The Electric Vehicle Consumer Code for Home Chargers (EVCC) sets the standard for installers. The Code aims to give you the knowledge and confidence that you are installing the best charging solution for your home.
If you are thinking about having an EV charger installed, here is EVCC’s handy checklist of questions for you to ask an installer, as well as some top tips to help you prepare for your purchase.
What do I need to ask before I install an EV home charger?
- Do I have a suitable place to install a charger?
- Can my electricity supply cope with the extra load of EV charging?
- Is the installer a qualified electrician? Have they trained in installing EV supply equipment?
- How much does the charger/the installation cost? Will installing at my property need extra work and how much will this cost?
- What is the power rating of the charger?
- Should I get a tethered or untethered charger?
- Will the charger work effectively with my PV system? (if applicable)
- Is the charger ‘smart’? Can it charge automatically when grid electricity is at its cheapest, or greenest, or only when electricity is being generated by my solar panels?
- Is there an app to go with the charger, and is it easy to use?
- Is the charger eligible for any grants, such as the OZEV grant?
- How long is the warranty?
The EVCC’s top tips for getting a home charger installed
Before you sign a contract:
- get at least 3 quotes before deciding to contract with a business
- make sure you have read and understood all the information provided by the business and in the contract; ask for clarification if anything is unclear
- check that the business is appropriately authorised if you are looking for access to the OZEV and/or the EST Scotland grants.
In line with EVCC, you can expect our members to:
- deal with you politely and promptly and show you their ID before they enter your home
- not use selling techniques designed to pressurise you into making an immediate decision, for example, offering a discount if you agree to sign a contract on the day
- supply you with goods which will perform properly and be fit for their purpose and perform all services with reasonable care and skill
- provide you with the necessary information to help you choose the most suitable charger for you, and explain clearly how a charger works and how you can get the best from it
- ensure all advertising materials are legal, honest, decent and true, and any claims made should be sourced so you can verify what has been said
- carry out a site survey to assess the suitability of your property and adequacy of your electricity supply, before you sign a contract
- give you key information in writing including a detailed quotation and a contract which includes clear and accurate information about any payment terms and your rights to cancel
- only take a deposit if the amount represents 15% or less of the overall cost of the contract and protect that deposit in case they cease trading before the contract is complete
- provide you with evidence that they have notified the relevant DNO of your installation
- provide you with a workmanship warranty for a minimum of 3 years and ensure that this warranty will be protected should they cease trade whilst it is still valid.
What’s the role of the EVCC?
EVCC has been developed by Renewable Energy Assurance Ltd (REAL), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Association for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology, the largest such trade association in the UK. REAL operates a number of certification schemes and consumer codes, including the Renewable Energy Consumer Code, all of which promote sustainable energy in the renewable energy and circular economy.
If you enter a contract with an EVCC member you can be confident that:
- you will receive a high standard of service and technical competence
- the contract you sign will be fair, legal and compliant with all relevant consumer protection legislation
- the business will have the required deposit and workmanship warranty protections, and the relevant insurances, in place
- you have access to EVCC’s dispute resolution process should something go wrong which you are unable to resolve directly with the business.
To find a list of EVCC members, or for further advice and guidance on installing EV home chargers, visit the EVCC.