Depending on the complexity of the EV charging station, it will typically take a trained electrician between two and five hours to install a standard charger, although this can vary depending on complexity, the distance to the fuse box, the existing wiring and the type of charger itself.
Given that half of UK councils do not offer on-street charging solutions for electric cars, there is a considerable opportunity for electricians to install EV charging stations both for home use and for local councils where the necessary driveway is unavailable.
This is increasingly vital as an ever-increasing range of models enter the market and more drivers are making the switch to EVs, as they need a local overnight charging solution to truly unlock their savings and viability as a daily driver.
With so much demand for EV chargers, how long does it take to install an EV charger, both in terms of work hours and overall planning… information that will stand you in good stead when taking on new jobs and determining workload/schedules.
The answer can depend on a lot of factors, but here are some general timescales to expect.
What Happens When An EV Charging Station Is Installed?
Before the installation can take place, you, as the electrician, will take a survey of the site to determine the location of the charging box relative to the fusebox, as well as sending a formal notice to the local Distribution Network Operator (DNO) that the resident intends to install an EV charger.
Following approval, you will then set an installation day, and the process will broadly go as follows:
- Inform the resident where the charger will be placed and what work needs to be done in order to connect it to the power supply.
- Fix the charging box in position on the wall.
- Turn off the power supply and hook the EV charger to the mains.
- Turn the power supply back on and start the initialisation process.
- Connect the charger to the home’s Wi-Fi internet network to enable software updates, ensure its meter functionality works and enable smart setup systems.
- Connect it to the car to ensure it works and show the homeowner how it works, how to use its features and answer any future questions.
How Long Does The EV Charging Station Installation Process Take?
Assuming there are no complications, most EV charging stations are self-contained kits that are remarkably easy to install. Everything mentioned above can take as little as two hours, assuming a swift, streamlined and simple installation process.
In some cases, it can take longer if the installation process is complicated, but assuming no major issues and no extra work, it will typically take no more than five hours.
Can The Installation Process Take Longer Than A Day?
If the installation requires extra electrical work for an EV charger to be used safely, then the process may require an extra day.
This usually is the case if the consumer unit needs to be upgraded, most commonly because it is an older box which lacks vital RCD protection.
As well as this, if there are particularly long cable runs, this can add delays, as can linking the charger to a solar battery system, something that is increasingly common in modern homes.
All of these potential issues should be identified ahead of time wherever possible and relayed to the customer.