Electric Car Charging Stations: Everything You Need to Know
Are you thinking about investing in an electric vehicle (EV) charging point? Maybe you’re a homeowner looking to charge your own car overnight or a business considering implementing workplace charging, EV charging points have become increasingly popular in recent years and there are lots of reasons why now could be the perfect time to take the plunge.
With different types of chargers, all the installation costs and multiple funding options, it can be difficult to know where to start. To help, we’ve answered some of the most common questions and highlighted some of the things you should consider before making the switch.
Why Install an Electric Vehicle Charging Point?
With the UK set to phase out the sale of new petrol and diesel cars in the coming years, now is a great time to start thinking about electric vehicles.
If you’re a homeowner, installing a charger means you can conveniently charge your car overnight at home.
Don’t worry if you can’t install one at home though. The UK’s public charging network continues to grow every year. According to Zapmap, as of June 2026, there are now more than 121,000 public EV chargers across over 46,000 locations throughout the UK. And new chargers are being installed every single week, so this figure will only increase from here on out.
For businesses, installing EV charging points can help prepare your workplace for the future, support employees who already drive electric vehicles and provide a valuable benefit for customers and visitors. If you’re planning to switch your company vehicles to electric, having chargers on-site can also save both time and money.
Workplace EV Charging Is a Great Employee Benefit
Installing EV charging points isn’t just good for the environment, it can also be a fantastic employee benefit.
Providing workplace charging can encourage more employees to make the switch to electric vehicles while giving existing EV drivers the convenience of charging at work. If your site welcomes visitors or customers, making chargers available to them can also enhance your customer experience and demonstrate your commitment to sustainability.
See more on the benefits of workplace EV charging
How Long Does It Take to Charge an Electric Car?
Charging times depend on both your vehicle and the type of charger you’re using.
Unlike filling up a traditional petrol or diesel car, charging an EV does take longer. Generally, it’s much easier to think of charging an electric vehicle like charging your mobile phone rather than filling up a petrol car. Most people top up their battery whenever they can, whether that’s overnight at home or during the working day.
There are several types of chargers available:
- Slow chargers – typically around 6–12 hours – great for overnight charging
- Fast chargers – around 3–7 hours – great for charging during the working day
- Rapid chargers – often 30–60 minutes – great for short stops or meetings
- Ultra-rapid chargers – some vehicles can charge even quicker – great for trips and long journeys
If you’re using a rapid charger when you’re out, you can often grab a coffee or do a bit of shopping whilst your EV charges.
How Much Does It Cost to Install an EV Charger?
For homeowners, a typical EV charger installation generally costs between £800 and £1,200, according to Tesla Charger, although this can vary depending on factors such as:
- The type of charger you choose
- The cable route and distance from your consumer unit
- Any electrical work required
- Whether you’re eligible for any grants
Some energy suppliers also offer discounted installation costs or special EV tariffs for existing customers, so it’s always worth checking what’s available before booking an installation.
For businesses, costs vary much more. The final price depends on:
- The number of charging points required
- The type and speed of charger
- Whether the chargers are being retrofitted or installed as part of a new development
- Any groundworks or electrical upgrades needed
Is There Funding Available?
Yes! You’ll be pleased to know there are a number of grants and schemes available to help with the cost of installing EV charging points.
At Green Energy Switch, in partnership with Nest Group, we offer fully funded EV charging installations for businesses at their sites with publicly accessible car parks.
So far, we’ve completed 23 charger installations across 7 sites, including churches, veterinary practices, sports centres and village halls, all at no cost to the businesses.
Government Grants
There are also currently, five chargepoint government grants available until 31 March 2027, offering support for both residents and businesses.
Grants for Residents
Eligible renters, flat owners and households without off-street parking could receive:
- Up to £500 towards the cost of installing an EV chargepoint for renters and flat owners
- Up to £500 towards the cost of installing an EV chargepoint for households with on-street parking
View the latest residential EV charger grants here
Grants for Businesses and Landlords
Businesses, workplaces and landlords may be eligible for support through the Workplace Charging Scheme.
The scheme offers:
- Up to £500 per charging point
- Funding for up to 40 charging points for businesses
- Funding for up to 200 charging points for landlords
View the latest Workplace Charging Scheme guidance here
Grants for Electric Vehicles
There are also grants available to help with the purchase of some low-emission vehicles.
Depending on the vehicle and which funding band it falls into, you could receive up to £3,750 towards the purchase price.
View the latest electric vehicle grants here
Make Your Business Even More Sustainable with Green Energy Switch
Fully Funded EV Charger Installs Available for Businesses
And as we mentioned, through our partnership with Nest, we can help eligible organisations access fully funded EV charger installations, helping you support employees, customers and visitors without the upfront installation costs.
Get in touch with our friendly team today, they would love to help.
Green Business Energy Switching
Installing EV chargers is a fantastic way to reduce your organisation’s carbon footprint, but it’s not the only way we can help.
We can also help your business switch to a green energy tariff. Our FREE business energy switching service compares a wide range of renewable business energy tariffs to help you find the best deal for your organisation. We’ll do all the hard work for you, helping you save both time and money while supporting your sustainability and net zero goals.
Looking to find the best green energy deal for your business?
ABOUT US
Green Energy Switch (GES) delivers a broad range of energy services across the UK; specialising in working with social landlords and local authorities. Established in 2006, GES is a subsidiary of environmental charity PECT. We gift-aid any profits to PECT to help fund their vital work. In doing so, we are the lead sponsor of their Forest project. So far over 131,000 trees have been planted, equating to a remarkable reduction of over 1,300 tonnes of carbon emission.
