Charging at home guide
First of all, Tesla has a dedicated web page for home charging which you might find useful but this guide hopefully will go into more depth and give an independent Tesla Owner view point.
A dedicated home EV charger is the single best investment you can buy for your electric vehicle
Waking up with 250 miles in the ‘tank’ every morning is one of the best benefits of an electric car, no mad rush to the petrol pump.
What are my options?
- Tesla Home Charger
The Tesla Wall Connector offers a seamless charging experience with your Tesla and is notable for having a charger flip opening button which makes it very convenient to use. You can order these at the time of purchasing the car or from the Tesla app.
- Andersen EV (Key Partner of TOUK)
A range of alternative third party chargers are available, and we pleased to partner with Andersen EV who are known for their stylish home chargers. Do check our TOUK forum and newsletters for regular updates on special offers for members. Andersen has prepared a useful home charging guide for members and you can see that here.
- 32a Commando Socket
Normally the cheapest option (also ideal for second homes/parents house etc) just get an electrician to install (£80-£200) and then use your UMC (optional with new cars and available from Tesla via the app or at the time of ordering the car) to plug-in (extra adapter might be needed). Using this solution every day isn’t ideal as the UMC shouldn’t be left outside in case it gets submerged in water and having the UMC in your boot is a must for any emergency trips in my opinion, so if you were to forget it you might be screwed! If you get a commando installed then you can always upgrade this to a Tesla Home Charger in the future.
Should I go tethered or untethered?
Tethered is a cable permanently attached to the charge box, so there is no need to pull your cable out of your boot/trunk each time you arrive home. Type 2 only, so any other non-type 2 cars can’t charge (e.g a Nissan Leaf couldn’t use it).
Untethered is a socket that you plug a Type 2 cable into, allows for more charging options but does mean you have to physically plug in the cable every time you want to charge. Fine in the summer but can be a right pain in the wet, snow or cold weather when you’re trying to man handle a dirty cable into your boot. The untethered option is popular if you have an older EV with a Chademo socket together with a Tesla as it allows you to use both socket types on one charger, but this is becoming rare now.
What speed should I expect from these chargers?
Can I not just use the 3 pin 13amp plug/UMC?
You can but it’s painfully slow, charging an 85kWh Tesla would take between 24 – 30 hours on a 13amp socket.
What about 3 Phase?
If you’re already on 3 phase power then that’s great news, you will get even faster charging at home, as long as you buy a 3 phase capable charger. If you don’t have it then don’t worry, most people will find a standard 7kW 30-32amp single phase power supply is enough for them. To have 3 phase power installed you will most likely be looking at £1000-£3000, speak with you DNO (Distribution Network Operator), e.g. Western Power to get a quote.
How much should a charger cost me?
- 7 kW charging point typically costs around £750-£1200 installed.
- 22 kW charging point typically costs from around £1,500 installed.
How much is it going to cost me each charge?
First of all it’s important to remember that most owners don’t arrive home with 0% battery each night so these numbers will be extreme examples, also it will depend on your energy tariff and it’s important to remember that all EVs aren’t 100% efficient when charging, they will always use slightly more power because they’ve got to convert from AC power (home) > DC (the battery) + they need to heat/cool the battery packs etc whilst charging. So let’s say a 100kWh battery from empty might use 110kWh in total energy, we will then say you’re being charged 10p/kWh you pull in from the grid, if you were to charge a 100kWh battery from empty it would cost you £11 with the above figures. That £11 should get you easily 250 miles on one charge or 4p a mile, reduce your speed + increase your efficiency and you should be able to hit 2p a mile. Charge on Economy 7 and you’ve just cut those figures by half again. Charge on Solar power from your roof and those numbers could be £0! 
I don’t have a garage, driveway etc, can I still get a home charger?
There might be a possibility of getting a street lamp post charger, search the group for more details and/or speak with your local council. Some councils are testing pavement to kerb channels and check your local council and/or councillor if this is an option in your area.
Who should I get to install it?
It often will depend on your location and which charger you plan to get installed, most of the manufacturers will recommend a local installer for you, it’s worth searching social media to check their reviews though as some are much better than others.
What is the Government OLEV Grant?
Grants for home chargers changes regularly. More info on Gov.uk
Should I consider renewable a renewable energy provider?
Yes 100%, many owners do exactly that. Ask on the forum if you want a referral code.
Should I install solar panels to charge my Tesla?
Yes, but remember it’s unlikely in the UK for you to generate enough solar each day to power your car for any more than 20-50 miles, but even so many owners still do it as it’s pretty awesome to know you’re driving around on pure sunlight. We have approved solar panel installers inside the owner’s group that are trusted by owners.
My Landlord isn’t allowing me to install a home charger, what can I do?
- Explain to them it will improve the resale value in the future (remember to reference the law change with ICE sales)
- Explain how it can be removed in the future if required
- Offer to pay for the installation and/or removal in the future
- Ask for an outside 3 pin plug instead to help with cutting the grass/garden etc
- Consider simply using an 3 pin socket with a decent high quality extension cable, like from Xavelec
