Home Charging for a Newbie

[Eponemuss]

Morning all! Just ordered my HS PHEV Trophy. Hope to collect on Friday. Just wondered if there is any wisdom to be gleaned here about home charging in terms of types of charger, suppliers and tariffs? Our current energy provider don't offer a specific EV tariff so looking to switch. Have shortlisted OVO as a possible. Any advice would be gratefully received.

 

[HStrophyPHEV2025rc]

Unless you drive more than approx 35 miles per day, then you should be able to get away with just using a 3-pin plug 'granny charger'. That's what I use.

• Specifically, if you have an off-peak tariff that gives you 5 hours 'cheap' electricity, then a granny charger will allow you to add approx 30-35 miles range during those 5 hours
  • Naturally you could fill the battery from zero to full charge outside of those 5 hours, but you'd be consuming peak-price electricity (approx 3 times the cost).
• For more details on what granny charger I purchased/do, see my post Jun 18, 2025 here: About to take the plunge and get the HS 2025 PHEV

But if you want/need 'fast charging' at home (for example you always need to add 75 miles range every night, or if you want to buy another fully-electric car soon too) then you'll need a 'proper' EV charger (ballpark £1000 in cost).

• I have no experience on those, so can't help you with 'proper' EV chargers.

 

[Eponemuss]

Unless you drive more than approx 35 miles per day, then you should be able to get away with just using a 3-pin plug 'granny charger'. That's what I use.

• Specifically, if you have an off-peak tariff that gives you 5 hours 'cheap' electricity, then a granny charger will allow you to add approx 30-35 miles range during those 5 hours
  • Naturally you could fill the battery from zero to full charge outside of those 5 hours, but you'd be consuming peak-price electricity (approx 3 times the cost).
• For more details on what granny charger I purchased/do, see my post Jun 18, 2025 here: About to take the plunge and get the HS 2025 PHEV

But if you want/need 'fast charging' at home (for example you always need to add 75 miles range every night, or if you want to buy another fully-electric car soon too) then you'll need a 'proper' EV charger (ballpark £1000 in cost).

• I have no experience on those, so can't help you with 'proper' EV chargers.

Thanks for the info. I have a 60 mile round trip commute so I need to fully charge each night.

 

[Bam Bam]

Morning all! Just ordered my HS PHEV Trophy. Hope to collect on Friday. Just wondered if there is any wisdom to be gleaned here about home charging in terms of types of charger, suppliers and tariffs? Our current energy provider don't offer a specific EV tariff so looking to switch. Have shortlisted OVO as a possible. Any advice would be gratefully received.

You want a fully smart one, that can ramp up and down depending on the situation (particularly for those with solar, but also for be controlled remotely with smart tariffs).

Zappi and Hypervolt seem to be the main two but there are lots of other brands if you want to match some other equipment you have or like the look of them (Ohme, Givenergy) .

I think the Hypervolt looks nicer but its personal preference.

In terms of tariffs, deals change every so often so keep an eye out on the options. We've just stuck with Octopus because we have solar credit built up.

If you do move to Octopus don't forget to use a referral code so both parties get £50. One in my signature is for a charity I help out with.

 

[mystreet]

If you go for EoN Next drive it gives you 7 hours of cheap rate.

Is it worth spending £1000ish on a charger for the extra 20 miles each day? Do your sums and see if the extra charging outside the cheap rate is better value.

Would I get a charger installed now, yes if pure EV, no if plug in hybrid.

 

[Bam Bam]

If you go for EoN Next drive it gives you 7 hours of cheap rate.

Is it worth spending £1000ish on a charger for the extra 20 miles each day? Do your sums and see if the extra charging outside the cheap rate is better value.

Would I get a charger installed now, yes if pure EV, no if plug in hybrid.

I think we are all going to get chargers in the long run, though aren't we?

Your next car will have a bigger battery. You might have visitors with an EV who could use an overnight charge.

So why not get one now and get it sorted?

 

[Eponemuss]

If you go for EoN Next drive it gives you 7 hours of cheap rate.

Is it worth spending £1000ish on a charger for the extra 20 miles each day? Do your sums and see if the extra charging outside the cheap rate is better value.

Would I get a charger installed now, yes if pure EV, no if plug in hybrid.

I know what you're saying, but my wife is changing her car soon and will go full EV so may as well do it now. Plus, I need the full charge for my daily commute of 60 miles.

 

[mystreet]

I know what you're saying, but my wife is changing her car soon and will go full EV so may as well do it now. Plus, I need the full charge for my daily commute of 60 miles.

Full EV, definitely a home charger.

 

[OriginalBigAl]

I know what you're saying, but my wife is changing her car soon and will go full EV so may as well do it now. Plus, I need the full charge for my daily commute of 60 miles.

If you only have one charger for two cars its going to be a bit of a juggle? Two chargers , one each, might be to much for your electricity supply?

 

[Eponemuss]

If you only have one charger for two cars its going to be a bit of a juggle? Two chargers , one each, might be to much for your electricity supply?

She doesn't do many miles so a full charge will prolly last her weeks, so I'll be hogging the charger. ;-)

 

[BarrieG]

I charge every three days so I went for a wallbox. The hypervolt app is excellent, giving me full control over the charge scheduling. The car only needs three and a bit hours to fully charge from empty so I have set up 2am to 5am, that way I don't need to change my schedule when the clocks change. I also have a referral code which gives both parties a discount.

 

[Eponemuss]

I charge every three days so I went for a wallbox. The hypervolt app is excellent, giving me full control over the charge scheduling. The car only needs three and a bit hours to fully charge from empty so I have set up 2am to 5am, that way I don't need to change my schedule when the clocks change. I also have a referral code which gives both parties a discount.

If you'd care to share your code, I'll take a look (unless it's a single use code, of course, in which case I'd understand if you want to save it).

 

[Bam Bam]

If you'd care to share your code, I'll take a look (unless it's a single use code, of course, in which case I'd understand if you want to save it).

I think we aren't allowed to put codes in the forum - you have to put them in your bio or send a DM.

I assume this code is for hypervolt to arrange installation, which sounds like a good way to do it.

Octopus were doing a discount on EVSE installs recently, and other energy companies arrange installation as well. There will be lots of local electricians in your area as well who install them as well - search on MCS website.

Lots of options!

 

[Joules]

Morning all! Just ordered my HS PHEV Trophy. Hope to collect on Friday. Just wondered if there is any wisdom to be gleaned here about home charging in terms of types of charger, suppliers and tariffs? Our current energy provider don't offer a specific EV tariff so looking to switch. Have shortlisted OVO as a possible. Any advice would be gratefully received.

Good Afternoon Eponemuss, I would advise a smart home charger of which there are a few now. Approx cost is £1000. It will pay for itself over time as running costs for an EV are so much cheaper than an ICE. I'm with Octopus Go but my charge point dates back to 2016 and is really dumb. I use the car scheduling and charge up between 00.30hrs and 05.30hrs at a rate of 8p a unit.
My first EV was a Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV and had a range of 30-40 miles fully EV on a fair day. I think you'll find in time you will want to go fully electric, so will find the need for a charge point of some description.
My charge point cost me net zero pounds as I was able to take advantage of grants way back in 2016, why the government withdrew the incentive schemes is beyond me, as this would give so many people a nudge in going electric.
I hope this helps.

 

[mystreet]

My charge point cost me net zero pounds as I was able to take advantage of grants way back in 2016, why the government withdrew the incentive schemes is beyond me, as this would give so many people a nudge in going electric.
I hope this helps.

If you wait until the end of the week, who knows, it may be the announcement we are waiting for.

Electric cars will be cheaper to buy, pledges Heidi Alexander

The Transport Secretary says she will announce measures to cut the cost of buying an electric car.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[Joules]

If you wait until the end of the week, who knows, it may be the announcement we are waiting for.

Electric cars will be cheaper to buy, pledges Heidi Alexander

The Transport Secretary says she will announce measures to cut the cost of buying an electric car.

www.bbc.co.uk

At last, some sense being talked. But why are the official vehicles not EV's. Political will is lacking methinks.

 

[mystreet]

At last, some sense being talked. But why are the official vehicles not EV's. Political will is lacking methinks.

Because the Range Rovers will not make Downing Street to parliament on a full charge, they will have range (rover) anxiety