The questions we are asked most, answered properly. If yours is not here, email us and we will answer it and add it.
Which charging cable do I need?
Almost every electric car sold in the UK uses a Type 2 inlet, and almost every public post presents a Type 2 socket, so a Type 2 to Type 2 lead is the normal answer. Older and imported cars, including the early Nissan Leaf, the Kia Soul EV and the Outlander PHEV, use Type 1 and need a Type 2 to Type 1 lead.
For length, measure from where the post or wall box sits to your charging flap, then add a couple of metres. A lead that is slightly too long is far less annoying than one that is slightly too short. Five metres suits most driveways, seven and a half metres suits most car parks.
Do I need a 32A or a 16A cable, and does three phase help?
The cable never speeds up charging on its own. The car's onboard charger sets the ceiling. A 32A single phase lead carries up to 7.4 kW, which is what most home charge points deliver. A three phase lead only helps if both the post and your car support three phase. Many cars accept only single phase and will draw 7.4 kW from a 22 kW post no matter which lead you use.
How do I know if I have three phase at home?
Look at your electricity intake. Two thick tails and a main switch marked 230 V means single phase, which is what the overwhelming majority of British homes have. Four thick tails and a switch marked 400 V means three phase. If you are not sure, send us a photograph and we will tell you before you spend anything.
Tethered or untethered charge point?
Tethered means the lead is permanently attached, which is quicker day to day and generates far fewer support calls. Untethered means a socket, so you use your own lead, which is tidier, futureproof if you change to a car with a different inlet, and better if two different cars share the driveway.
Is a granny lead good enough?
As a safety net, yes. As a daily habit, no. A 10A lead adds roughly 10 to 14 miles of range an hour, so a 60 kWh battery takes over 24 hours from empty. It also loads a domestic socket for hours at a time. Keep one in the boot for holidays and emergencies, and fit a wall box for everyday charging.
Do EV tyres actually matter?
Yes, more than people expect. An electric car is heavier, delivers torque instantly and has no engine noise to mask road roar. Tyres built for that have reinforced casings, a raised load index and a low rolling resistance construction. Fitting the wrong tyre wears faster, sounds louder in the cabin and measurably reduces range. Look for the EU label: A grade rolling resistance and a low decibel figure.
Why did my car not wake up?
Nine times out of ten it is the 12V battery, not the traction battery. It runs the computers, contactors and door handles, and when it dies the car is immobile even with a full main battery. They typically last three to five years and fail on the coldest morning of the year. Replacing one is a twenty minute job, though many EVs need the 12V system kept alive during the swap, so a memory saver lead is included with ours.
How big a home battery do I need?
Smaller than you are probably being quoted. Most British households on a time of use tariff get their best return from 5 to 10 kWh. Going bigger only pays if you have a heat pump, a genuinely large solar array, or an EV you charge at home most nights. Send us a year of half hourly data from your smart meter and we will size it against your actual usage rather than guessing.
Is vehicle to grid worth it?
A 60 kWh car battery holds roughly four days of an average home's electricity. On a flexible tariff, even a shallow evening cycle is worth real money. Two caveats: your network operator must approve the connection, which takes two to four weeks, and a few manufacturers still count discharge cycles against the battery warranty. Check your warranty before committing.
Can I fit a charge point myself?
No. Anything wired into a consumer unit must be installed by a qualified person and notified under Part P. Beyond the legal position, charge point circuits need specific protective devices and open PEN protection, and getting that wrong is dangerous rather than merely non compliant. We can arrange installation across most of England, Wales and southern Scotland.
How long does delivery take?
Small items dispatch the same working day if ordered before 4pm and arrive next working day. Tyres take two to four working days. Heavy palletised items take two to ten working days and we book a window with you first. Full details are on the Delivery and Installation page.