In a bid to tackle climate change, there has been a rise in the demand for electric cars, with more and more people turning away from petrol powered vehicles. As a result, the need for EV charging stations has increased. In April 2022, there were over 31,500 charging points across the UK.



This guide explores how EV charging works, the different types of chargers on offer, and government schemes available to reduce costs.

What is EV charging?

Instead of petrol, electric cars are powered by electricity from EV chargers. Since electric vehicles emit zero emissions, these are much more environmentally friendly.

Charging points can be found in a wide range of locations. From residential properties and workplaces to supermarkets and car parks, these stations make it easy to charge your electric car's battery while you're on the go.

How long does charging take?

Charging times vary depending on a number of factors including the size of a car's battery, how much existing battery is stored, and the type of charger being used.

There are three main charger types: slow, fast, and rapid.

Slow chargers can take around 8-10 hours to reach full charge. These are usually rated between 3-6kW making them most suitable for home charging where cars can be charged overnight or for workplaces where employees won’t use their cars until the workday is finished. Common slow-charge cables include the UK three-pin plug 3kW AC although the Type 1 3-6kW AC is the preferred option.

Fast chargers can fully charge electric cars in approximately 3-4 hours. These are ideally suited for supermarkets, retail parks, and leisure venues. Fast-charge cables include Type 1 7kW AC and Type 2 7-22kW AC.

Rapid chargers take between 30-60 minutes to fully charge a vehicle. These are typically located at venues such as petrol stations and motorway service stations. It’s important to note these chargers are only compatible with rapid-charging function electric cars. Rapid-charge connectors include the CHAdeMO 50kW DC and the CCS 50-350kW DC.

What EV charging station is right for you?

There are three main locations where charging points are most commonly found: at home, at a public station, or at work. Which charger speed you require will depend on a number of factors.

For example, slow chargers will often be sufficient for homeowners where cars are stationary for much of the night. On the other hand, in locations where cars will only stop for short periods, then high-powered charging points will prove more beneficial.

Charging points should be located in areas that are easily accessible. However, it is important to consider where a property’s main power supply is located.

The number of sockets required will be dependent on the number of electric cars in use, the type of chargers needed, the amount of parking bays available, and the costs involved.

Costs involved

The cost of purchasing and installing electric car chargers vary depending on the model and type of charging station used. Costs can vary from £800 to over £30,000 depending on the speed and level of power required.

However, there are government schemes in place to help subsidise these costs and make these charging points more affordable and accessible.

For businesses, the Workplace Charging Scheme (WCS) is available. This voucher-based initiative offers organisations financial support to install charge points provided dedicated off-street parking for staff is available. Under this scheme, up to 75% - or £350 per socket – of costs involved in purchasing and installing EV charge points are covered for up to 40 sockets across multiple sites.

Businesses don’t need to have an existing EV to be eligible to receive this grant however the purpose of installing charge points must be declared within your application. For example, a charging solution for visitors or to encourage staff to convert from petrol-powered vehicles would be considered valid reasoning. 

Summary

The demand for electric cars is only going to continue to grow. From supermarkets and retail parks to workplaces and residential properties, EV charging stations are becoming increasingly widespread.

Choosing the right type of charger for your project will depend on a number of factors including how long cars will be stationary at your property and budget restraints.

Government schemes are in place to subsidise costs involved, making it more affordable to integrate sustainable measures within your organisation.

With a team of highly skilled and experienced engineers, we offer electrical engineering for a wide range of buildings. Contact a member of our team today for a no-obligation chat to find out how to integrate electric car charging points within your project.