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Whether you're brand new to the electric vehicle way of life or a seasoned pro, we make getting a solar EV charger installation easy and seamless!
Our range of home solar EV chargers
See why customers choose Smart Home Charge
How Much Does It Cost To Charge An Electric Car?
A home EV charger can help dramatically reduce the cost to charge an electric car. This is because smart home EV chargers give you the ability to schedule a charge when the electricity price is cheaper.
What do we mean by cheaper electricity price? EV drivers are able to access EV friendly tariffs, which offer much lower prices (usually overnight) helping to reduce charging costs. In fact, you could recoup the cost of home charger installation in around 18 months with the savings alone.
Discover how much it will cost to charge an electric vehicle with our handy Switch and Save tool.
Compare the best home EV tariffs, as well as public charging point costs.

when you combine one of our smart chargers with an EV-friendly tariff.
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FAQs
How does a solar EV home charger work?
It depends on the smart EV charger, but in general EV chargers capable of solar charging will direct surplus electricity generated by your solar panels into a connected vehicle.
Be sure to check out the article below for a more detailed explanation:
Do all solar EV chargers work in the same way?
In most cases, yes.
A solar EV charger typically uses a device called a CT Clamp to monitor excess energy generated by your solar panels and directs it to your connected vehicle. This is how our current selection of solar-compatible charge points work.
However, some EV chargers operate differently by using advanced software to predict the amount of energy your solar panels are generating. These chargers then adjust the power flow to your vehicle based on the estimated surplus energy available.
What do the different solar "modes" mean?
In most cases, the different "modes" of a solar EV charger allow you to control the amount of power that the charger pulls from the grid.
Most chargers will have a variation of the following two modes:
Solar Only
This mode uses only surplus solar energy to charge a connected vehicle. It’s ideal for times when your car is parked at home during daylight hours, allowing you to charge using free electricity generated by your solar panels.
However, keep in mind that during cloudy days, the energy being fed into your car may fluctuate or even stop throughout the day.
Solar and grid
This mode uses a combination of grid energy and surplus solar energy to charge your vehicle. The charger takes any available surplus solar energy and supplements it with grid energy to maintain a charging rate of at least 1.44kW.
As your surplus solar energy approaches 1.44kW, the charger reduces its reliance on grid energy, ensuring efficient use of solar power while keeping your car consistently charging.
Is there a minimum amount of excess solar energy I need to charge my EV?
Yes, most EVs require a minimum charging rate of 1.44kW. This means your solar panels must generate at least this amount of excess energy before the charger can start charging your EV.
Excess solar energy refers to the energy left after your home or other connected appliances have met their energy requirements. If the remaining energy is less than 1.44kW, the solar EV charger will not begin charging.
However, some solar EV chargers can draw additional energy from the grid to meet this threshold. For instance:
- If your solar PV system generates 1kW of surplus energy, certain EV chargers can supplement this with 0.44kW from grid electricity to meet the 1.44kW minimum and start charging your vehicle.
Your electricity supplier will bill you for any energy drawn from the grid, but you’ll still benefit from using your solar-generated energy. As a result, it should save money compared to relying solely on grid electricity.
Is a "solar powered" EV charger worth it?
Whether a "solar powered" electric car charger is worth it or not depends on the individual and whether you think it will help reduce your energy costs. We recommend asking yourself these questions before you buy a solar EV charger:
Where is your EV typically parked when your solar panels are generating the most amount of energy? Can it be plugged in during these times?
How much excess electricity do your solar panels generate?
Are you better off exporting your solar energy (see FAQ below for more detail)?
Will the extra cost of a solar charger provide a return on investment?
Do solar EV chargers work with battery storage systems?
Most solar compatible EV chargers should work with a home battery storage system but it's important to check with both the manufacture of the battery and charger before getting them installed.
How many solar panels do I need to charge my EV?
A solar panel EV charger requires at least 1.44kW of excess electricity (energy generated after your household's energy needs have been met) to charge a car via solar energy alone.
With this in mind, you will need enough solar panels to generate enough energy to meet the demand of your household with an excess of at least 1.44kW.
To determine this, we recommend you speak to the company installing solar panels at your property, so they understand you wish to generate enough electricity to power both your home and generate surplus for your EV.
How quickly can you install my solar EV charger?
Typical lead times from point of payment are 1-4 weeks. Lead times will vary from region to region and, of course, how busy we are in your area at the time.
While there are some elements out of our control, such as the DNO Notification, which can delay your installation, you can help speed up the process by:
Completing your home charging survey quickly
Most of our customers get an Instant Quote without needing to do the Online Site Survey first, but you’ll need to do one before your installation can be booked so we can gather some crucial information and confirm any other requirements. The sooner you complete your survey, the better!
Which EV charging point should I choose?
It ultimately comes down to personal preference (and budget!). But we have some useful guides and tips below which might help your decision:
- CHECK OUT OUR EV CHARGER REVIEWS
We have written and video reviews on all our chargers after extensive testing by our editorial team.
- SEE WHAT OTHER CUSTOMERS SAY
On each product page, you’ll find scores and comments from customers who have already purchased that product. See what they have to say.
- READ OUR CUSTOMER STORIES
We have a range of in-depth testimonials from customers who discuss their EV journey, including which car and charger they chose and why.
- HOW TO CHOOSE A CHARGER GUIDE
Tips on what to look out for in an EV charger, such as whether to choose a tethered or untethered charger.
- BEST HOME EV CHARGERS GUIDE
A round-up of the best EV chargers.
How much does it cost to install a solar electric car charger at home?
It’s best to budget upwards of £800 for the charger including install. Select Request a Quote on your preferred charger to get an Instant Quote.
Learn more in our INSTALLATION COST GUIDE