Keep an eye out for special deals from major car manufacturers. Some offer a free wallbox and fitting when you purchase one of their EVs.
What is a smart charger?
A smart charger is a wallbox that uses wi-fi to connect with various apps on your smartphone. In doing so, it allows you to remotely tailor your car’s charging schedule, giving you the ability to select when charging happens and how much electricity to put into the battery.
As a result, you can make sure you’re only charging when electricity is cheapest or limit the amount of energy in the battery to 80% to avoid overheating the cells, improving their longevity.
Smart chargers cost more to buy than standard units, but bear in mind that the government’s OZEV subsidy applies only to this kind of equipment, meaning that if you meet the criteria, they actually work out cheaper to buy.
As to whether you need a smart charger, that’s up to your budget and needs. However, there’s no denying that having one will allow you to make the most of your energy tariff and ensure that your car is always charged and ready when you need it. It costs more to buy, but it shouldn’t take long for you to reap the rewards.
What is the wallbox grant?
To encourage drivers to switch to EVs, the government is offering financial incentives through its Office of Zero Emission Vehicles (OZEV) department.
If you buy a new EV, you will qualify for a grant that pays for 75% of the price and installation cost of a wallbox, up to a maximum of £350. Currently, you can apply for a grant for each EV you own, although this is limited to just two vehicles.
However, as of April 2022, the government changed the eligibility criteria, meaning most homeowners with off-street parking are no longer able to apply for the grant.
Instead, the incentive is now limited to homeowners living in a flat or apartment (provided they also have off-street parking), tenants of rented properties (with the landlord’s permission) and small business owners.