EV charging point installation: a business guide for electricians

Electric vehicle sales in the UK hit 1 million in 2024, and the government has confirmed that new petrol and diesel car sales will end by 2035. Every one of those electric vehicles needs somewhere to charge, and most owners want a dedicated charger at home. For electricians, this is one of the clearest business opportunities of the decade.

The size of the opportunity

There are currently around 1.2 million battery electric vehicles on UK roads, with another 800,000 plug-in hybrids. By 2030, that number is expected to reach 9 million. Each domestic EV charger installation is worth £800 to £1,500 to the electrician, and commercial installations can be worth significantly more.

The market is growing at 30-40% per year, and there are not enough qualified installers to keep up with demand. In many areas, homeowners are waiting 4 to 8 weeks for an installation because there simply are not enough certified electricians available.

What qualifications do you need?

To install EV chargers, you need:

Essential

• A full electrical qualification (City & Guilds 2365/2357 or NVQ Level 3 in Electrical Installation)
• 18th Edition IET Wiring Regulations (BS 7671)
• An EV charger installation course (typically 1-2 days, £300-£600)
• Registration with a competent person scheme (NICEIC, NAPIT, or ELECSA)

Recommended

• OZEV (Office for Zero Emission Vehicles) approved installer status
• Manufacturer-specific training from charger brands (Zappi, Ohme, Easee, Pod Point)
• Part P Building Regulations certification

OZEV approved installer

To access the OZEV grant (more on this below), you need to be an OZEV-approved installer. This requires registration with a competent person scheme and completion of specific training. The approval process takes 2 to 4 weeks.

OZEV grant (Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme)

The OZEV grant provides up to £350 towards the cost of installing a home EV charger. It is available to:

• Homeowners who live in flats or rented accommodation
• Landlords installing chargers at rental properties
• People living in residential buildings with dedicated parking

Note: Since April 2022, the grant is no longer available to homeowners in single-unit properties (detached, semi-detached, terraced houses) who own their home outright. However, it remains available for flat owners, renters, and landlords.

As an OZEV-approved installer, you apply for the grant on behalf of the customer and deduct it from their bill.

Workplace Charging Scheme

Businesses can claim up to £350 per charger (up to 40 chargers) through the Workplace Charging Scheme. This is a separate pot of money from the domestic grant and opens up the commercial installation market.

Commercial installations are typically larger jobs (multiple chargers, load management systems, groundwork) and can be worth £5,000 to £50,000 or more. They also tend to lead to ongoing maintenance contracts.

How to price EV charger installations

A typical domestic installation includes:

• The charger unit itself (£500-£1,000 wholesale, or supplied by the customer)
• A survey visit (some installers charge separately, others include it)
• Installation labour (3-5 hours for a straightforward install)
• Cable and materials (6mm or 10mm twin and earth, consumer unit upgrades if needed)
• Electrical testing and certification

Typical pricing to the customer:

• Straightforward installation (charger near consumer unit, short cable run): £800-£1,000
• Standard installation (cable run up to 15m, minor earthing upgrade): £1,000-£1,300
• Complex installation (long cable run, consumer unit upgrade, groundwork): £1,300-£2,000+

Some installers include the charger in their price, while others let the customer buy their own. Including the charger gives you a markup on the unit but requires more working capital.

Use a proper quoting tool to produce professional quotes that break down the costs clearly.

Choosing which charger brands to install

The main brands in the UK domestic market are:

• Zappi (by Myenergi) - popular for solar integration, made in the UK
• Ohme - smart tariff integration, competitive pricing
• Easee - sleek design, easy to install, good app
• Pod Point - established brand, strong customer recognition
• Wallbox - wide range, good commercial options
• Tesla Wall Connector - for Tesla owners (requires Tesla-specific training)

Most installers partner with 2 or 3 brands rather than trying to stock everything. Choose brands based on reliability, installer support, warranty terms, and profit margin.

Marketing your EV installation business

EV charger customers search online more than most trades customers. Having a professional website with EV-specific content is important. Key things to include:

• Your OZEV approved installer status
• Which charger brands you install
• Clear pricing (even a "from" price helps)
• Photos of completed installations
• Customer reviews mentioning EV charger work

Also register on charger manufacturer directories. Zappi, Ohme, and Easee all have "find an installer" tools on their websites that drive leads to approved installers.

Building up Google reviews specifically mentioning EV charger installation will help you rank for local EV-related searches.

Running the business side

EV charger installation work is well-suited to running through a limited company, particularly if you are turning over more than £50,000 per year.

Keep on top of your invoicing. Send invoices on the day of installation and offer card payments to speed up cash collection. Use invoicing software to track jobs, send payment reminders, and monitor your cash flow.

Claim your training, certification, and tool costs as allowable expenses against your tax bill.

Future growth areas

EV charger installation is a gateway into the broader smart energy sector:

• Vehicle-to-grid (V2G) - using EV batteries to power homes and feed the grid
• Solar and battery integration - combining chargers with solar panels and home batteries
• Fleet charging - installing charging infrastructure for business vehicle fleets
• Public charging - destination chargers for hotels, restaurants, and car parks
• Smart meter installation - complementary work for qualified electricians

Electricians who establish themselves in EV charging now are building a business with strong growth potential for the next decade and beyond.