Summary
For regular charging, EV drivers are strongly advised to use a dedicated home chargepoint rather than a standard 3-pin plug socket. Dedicated chargers are designed specifically for electric vehicles and offer several advantages:
- Faster charging
- Improved safety
- Greater convenience
- Smart features and connectivity
Charging speeds: Home charger vs 3-pin plug
Charging times vary between different electric vehicles, but a typical 7kW home charger can charge an EV up to three times faster than a standard 3-pin socket. The table below provides a general comparison.
| Vehicle | Charging Time* | |
|---|---|---|
| 3-Pin Socket | 7kW Home Charger | |
| Hyundai IONIQ Electric | 17 h | 6 h |
| Jaguar I-PACE | 39 h | 13 h |
| Tesla Model 3 | 33 h | 11 h |
| Volkswagen ID.3 | 20 h | 7 h |
*Based on EV Made Easy estimates. Charging times can vary depending on factors such as temperature, battery condition, and charging rates.
Tip: For EVs with larger batteries, such as the Jaguar I-PACE (up to 90kWh), fully charging overnight from a 3-pin socket is often not practical. A 7kW home charger provides the flexibility needed to charge larger batteries more efficiently.
Is charging your car from a domestic socket safe?
Although it is possible to charge an EV using a standard 3-pin plug, these sockets were not designed to handle the sustained electrical load required for vehicle charging.
Extended charging sessions can generate heat that places strain on older domestic wiring and sockets. Our electricians regularly encounter overheating issues when installing dedicated home chargers in properties where EVs were previously charged using standard sockets.
Dedicated chargepoints, on the other hand, are installed on their own electrical circuits and are specifically designed for EV charging. They must also comply with a range of electrical safety standards and regulations to ensure safe operation. This makes them a significantly safer option for regular home charging.
What’s the easiest way to charge at home?
A home charger is installed in a convenient location near where you park, making it quick and easy to plug in your vehicle.
Charging via a standard socket often means running cables through windows, doors or other openings, which can be inconvenient and impractical.
Tethered home chargers are particularly convenient, as the cable is permanently attached and stored on the unit. This means you only need to plug the cable into your car to begin charging.
Tip: Most homes in the UK have a single-phase electricity supply, which supports charging speeds of up to 7kW. Faster chargers, such as 22kW units, are typically only used in commercial buildings where three-phase power is available.
The smart future of charging an electric car at home
As more drivers switch to electric vehicles, home chargers are becoming increasingly intelligent.
Modern chargers are designed to support features that help manage energy usage more efficiently, benefiting both the driver and the wider electricity network. Standard domestic sockets simply do not offer these capabilities.
Tip: Home chargers can also receive over-the-air software updates. This allows them to gain new features, receive improvements or bug fixes, and enables remote diagnostics from support teams when needed.