Is it time to upgrade to smart home EV charging?

If you're still using a 3 pin plug to charge your electric car, it might be time to think about upgrading. With a smart charger, you'll get faster, safer, and more convenient charging at home. And while it might cost more upfront, a smart charger gets you access to clever tech and exclusive EV tariffs – so you’ll charge your EV for less. 

The benefits of getting a smart charger

1. Convenience 

Our home EV chargers are reliable, simple to use, and ready to charge whenever you need them. Unlike 3 pin plugs, you won’t need to open a window or set up an extension cable to help you reach your car. That’s because smart EV chargers are installed on an outside wall or in a secure garage.

2. Lower EV charging costs

Switching to a smart charger means you’ll get access to exclusive tariffs for cheaper home EV charging. All of our chargers are compatible with Charge Anytime – our free add-on that lets you charge your EV for less.

3. Faster charging times

A 3 pin plug usually gives you 2.3kW of power, which means charging your EV to full can take over 24 hours. When you switch to a smart home EV charger, you’ll get up to 7kW of power. This can cut your charging time down to just a few hours. 

4. Easy to control

Smart charging makes managing your EV’s charging schedule easy. With a smart charging app like Charge Anytime, you can:

• Track your energy use

• Choose your charging schedule

• Charge your EV with your own solar-generated power

5. Charge from solar power

If you’ve got solar panels, you can enjoy even more benefits with a solar-compatible EV charger. It’ll let you charge your EV directly from the sun – helping you lower your bills and become less dependent on the grid. All of our chargers are solar compatible.¹

6. Safer charging

Charging your car with a 3 pin plug can cause overheating. This is because standard home sockets aren’t designed for constant high power use. Smart EV chargers come with built-in safety features like temperature monitoring and surge protection. And you won’t need to keep your windows open to run cables outside, so your home will be more secure. 

7. Improved home value

A study by the National Association of Property Buyers found that installing an EV charging point could help increase the value of your home by up to £5,000. That’s more than 5 times the upfront cost of some smart chargers. 

1. Upfront cost

Getting a smart home EV charger involves paying an upfront cost. But if you get a charger through OVO, the upfront price includes expert installation and a 3 year warranty. 

2. Off-street parking

Off-street parking is often needed for smart charger installation, because charging cables can’t trail across public pavements. Instead, installers usually need somewhere to securely mount and connect the charger, like a garage, driveway, or private parking space.

But Kerbo Charge has found a solution for homes without off-street parking. In partnership with local councils, they’re running charging cables under pavements to help more people charge their cars at home. Visit Kerbo Charge to see if your home’s eligible. 

3. Wi-Fi or 4G connectivity

To get the most out of your smart charger, you’ll need a stable internet connection. If your Wi-Fi signal isn’t good, OVO also offers 4G connectivity or hardwiring for some models at an extra cost.

4. Is a smart EV charger worth it?

Upgrading to smart home EV charging is easier than you think. If your home’s suitable for installation and you’re able to pay the upfront cost, you’ll notice a better charging experience straight away. Once your smart charger’s installed, you can enjoy faster, safer, and simpler charging – as well as lower energy bills. Ready to make the switch? Check out our range of leading smart chargers.

Important Information

¹ Solar compatibility is only available when your charger is set to the correct setting for solar charging.