5 Reasons You’re Still Putting Off Getting a Home Charger (And Why You Shouldn’t)

You Know You Should. So Why Haven’t You?

If you’re reading this, you probably already own an EV — or you’re about to. And you’ve probably thought about getting a home charger. Maybe you’ve even looked at a few.

But you haven’t done it yet.

You’re not alone. Plenty of EV owners drive around for months — sometimes years — without a home charger, overpaying at public chargers or Superchargers the entire time. Here are the 5 most common reasons why, and why none of them actually hold up.

1. “It’s Too Expensive”

This is the big one. And on the surface, it seems reasonable. A home charger costs £800–1,200 fully installed.

But here’s what that number misses: the charger pays for itself in 6–9 months.

If you’re currently Supercharging a Model 3 and you switch to home charging on an off-peak tariff, you’ll save roughly £914 per year. That means the “expensive” charger is actually giving you a 75–100% annual return on investment. Try getting that from a savings account.

And if you’re a renter or flat owner, the £500 OZEV government grant knocks a huge chunk off the installation cost. Your out-of-pocket could be as low as £300–700.

The truth: Not getting a home charger is the expensive option. Every month without one costs you £60–80 in unnecessary charging fees.

2. “I’m Renting — I Can’t Get One”

This used to be true. It isn’t anymore.

The OZEV grant was specifically expanded to cover renters and flat owners — that’s literally the target audience now (homeowners aren’t eligible for the grant).

Here’s how it works as a renter:

1. You get written permission from your landlord (a simple letter or email is fine)
2. Your installer handles the OZEV grant application
3. The grant covers up to £500 of the installation cost
4. The charger is installed on the property

Many landlords are happy to agree because it adds value to their property at no cost to them. If your landlord is hesitant, the landlord infrastructure grant covers up to £30,000 for electrical upgrades to rental properties — there’s a strong financial incentive for them too.

Template email to your landlord: “Hi [Landlord], I’d like to install a home EV charger at the property. There’s a government grant (OZEV) that covers £500 of the cost, so there’s no expense to you. The charger stays with the property and adds value for future tenants. I’d just need written permission to proceed. Happy to discuss.”

The truth: Renters are actually in a *better* position than homeowners, because you qualify for the £500 grant that homeowners don’t.

3. “The Process Seems Complicated”

It’s not. Here’s the entire process:

1. Get quotes (2 minutes): Fill in your details and we’ll match you with certified installers
2. Pick an installer (1 day): Compare up to 3 quotes and choose one
3. Get installed (2–4 hours): The installer handles everything — wiring, mounting, testing, certification, and grant paperwork

That’s it. From first quote to charging at home typically takes 2–3 weeks, and most of that is just waiting for the installation date.

You don’t need to understand anything about electrical wiring, consumer units, or RCDs. You don’t need to apply for the OZEV grant yourself. You don’t even need to choose a charger in advance — your installer can recommend one during the survey.

The truth: Getting a home charger installed is easier than getting a new boiler or kitchen appliance fitted.

4. “I’m Not Sure Which Charger to Get”

This is the one that leads to analysis paralysis. There are 13+ chargers on the market, all with different features, prices, and compatibility claims.

Here’s the thing: every charger on our site works with every Tesla. You genuinely cannot make a bad choice. The differences are in the margins — smart tariff integration, solar compatibility, cable length, app features.

If you want the answer in 30 seconds, take our charger quiz. It asks 3 questions and recommends the best charger for your specific situation.

Or if you want the shortcut:

• Best overall: Tesla Wall Connector — £425, seamless Tesla app integration
• Best for saving money: Ohme Home Pro — automatic smart tariff scheduling
• Best for solar: myenergi Zappi GLO — diverts surplus solar to your car
• Best value installed: Wallbox Pulsar Max — compact, reliable, competitive price

See our full charger comparison or best Tesla home charger guide for detailed rankings.

The truth: Any home charger on an off-peak tariff is infinitely better than no home charger. Don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good.

5. “I’ll Do It Eventually”

This is the most expensive reason of all.

“Eventually” has a cost. Here’s what “eventually” looks like in real money:

Waiting a year costs you almost as much as the charger itself. Every month of “eventually” is £76 you’re choosing to overpay.

There’s no benefit to waiting. Charger prices aren’t dropping significantly. The OZEV grant is available now but government schemes don’t last forever. And electricity costs are unlikely to get cheaper.

The truth: The best time to get a home charger was when you got your Tesla. The second best time is now.

Stop Putting It Off

Every objection you have either doesn’t apply to your situation or is costing you money by delaying. The process is simple, the payback is fast, and the result is waking up every morning to a full battery without ever thinking about charging again.

Take 2 minutes right now:

Get free installation quotes → | Take the charger quiz → | Compare chargers →