There has been a 354% surge in electric vehicle (EV) charger installations between April and June 2020, according to research by trade director Checkatrade.

The average cost of installing an at-home EV charging point is £1000. However, Checkatrade has highlighted that large parts of these costs can be covered by government grants.

EV owners can apply for a government grant towards the cost of the installation, as well as an additional amount of money from the Energy Saving Trust (EST).

Currently, the UK Office for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV) is offering a £350 grant through its Electric Vehicle Homecharge Scheme.

A 3kW slow charger can charge a vehicle in 6-8 hours, whilst a 7kW fast charger will only take 3-4 hours.

For people planning on doing all of their charging overnight, or for people who drive a hybrid vehicle with lower power demands, Checkatrade has highlighted that the 3kW charge station is the more cost-effective choice. However, for people who need faster charging then 7kW is likely to be the most effective option.