With EV technology evolving and prices fluctuating, many prospective EV owners wonder: should I install a home charger now, or will it be cheaper/better to wait? Here's a realistic assessment for 2026.
The Short Answer
For most people: Install now if you have an EV or are getting one soon.
The savings from home charging (vs. public charging) accumulate quickly. Waiting 1–2 years for marginal charger improvements typically costs more in lost savings than any potential future discount.
But let's break down the factors.
Current Charger Costs (2026)
What You'll Pay Today
| Category | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Budget charger + installation | £700–1,000 |
| Mid-range charger + installation | £900–1,400 |
| Premium charger + installation | £1,200–2,000 |
| Complex installation | Add £300–1,500 |
Price Trends Over Time
| Year | Typical Installation Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | £1,200–1,800 | Higher charger costs, OZEV grant available |
| 2022 | £800–1,200 | Charger prices dropping, grant restricted |
| 2024 | £900–1,300 | Grant ended, installation costs up |
| 2026 | £900–1,400 | Stable, mature market |
| 2028 (projected) | £850–1,300 | Slight decrease likely |
Key insight: Charger prices have already fallen significantly. The dramatic drops seen between 2018–2022 have levelled off. Future price reductions will be modest.
Will Charger Prices Drop Further?
Unlikely to Drop Significantly
Why prices have stabilised:
What might drop slightly:
What might increase:
Realistic Expectation
2–3 years from now: Same or marginally lower overall costs, but with more features included.
Not worth waiting for: The savings would be measured in tens of pounds, not hundreds.
Grant Situation
What's Currently Available
For homeowners:
For flat dwellers and renters:
Will New Grants Appear?
| Scenario | Likelihood | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| General homeowner grant returns | Low | Would save ~£350 |
| Enhanced flat/renter support | Moderate | Already exists |
| Local authority schemes | Moderate | Variable by area |
| Scrappage-style incentives | Low | Possible but unlikely |
Reality: Don't count on a new grant. The government has shifted focus to public charging infrastructure and electric vehicle purchase incentives rather than home charger subsidies for homeowners.
Technology Changes
What's Coming
| Technology | Timeline | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Bi-directional charging (V2G/V2H) | Now–2027 | Can sell power back to grid |
| Higher power home charging | Limited | Most homes can't support beyond 7kW |
| Wireless charging | 2028+ | Expensive, niche |
| Better smart features | Ongoing | Already very capable |
Should You Wait for New Tech?
Bi-directional charging (V2G):
Verdict: If you specifically want V2G, wait for your car to support it and tariffs to mature. For standard charging, current technology is excellent.
Wireless charging:
Smart Charger Features Today
Current smart chargers already offer:
These features are mature. Waiting won't bring revolutionary improvements.
The Cost of Waiting: Lost Savings
The Real Question
Every month without home charging, you're either:
Savings Calculation
| Charging Method | Cost per kWh | Monthly Cost (1,000 miles) |
|---|---|---|
| Home (standard tariff) | 24p | £60–75 |
| Home (EV tariff) | 7p | £18–25 |
| Public slow | 50p | £125–150 |
| Public rapid | 70p | £175–200 |
Monthly saving (home vs. public rapid): £100–175
Annual saving: £1,200–2,000
Cost of one year's delay: More than the charger itself
Break-Even Analysis
| Installation Cost | Monthly Saving | Break-Even |
|---|---|---|
| £900 | £100 | 9 months |
| £1,200 | £100 | 12 months |
| £1,500 | £100 | 15 months |
| £900 | £150 | 6 months |
| £1,200 | £150 | 8 months |
Key insight: A home charger pays for itself within the first year for most users.
When Waiting Makes Sense
Wait If:
You don't have an EV yet:
You're moving house soon:
Major electrical work is planned:
Your parking situation may change:
You're getting a V2G-compatible car:
Don't Wait If:
You already have an EV or are buying one soon:
Your installation is straightforward:
You're on an EV electricity tariff or planning to be:
2026 Outlook Summary
What's Likely
| Factor | 2026–2027 Expectation |
|---|---|
| Charger unit prices | Stable to slight decrease |
| Installation costs | Stable to slight increase |
| Smart features | Continued improvement (same price) |
| Government grants | No new homeowner grants expected |
| V2G availability | Growing but still premium |
| Public charging costs | Likely to remain high |
What's Unlikely
Decision Framework
Install Now If:
✅ You have or are imminently getting an EV
✅ Your parking situation is stable
✅ You're not planning major electrical/home work
✅ You want to start saving on charging costs immediately
✅ You value the convenience of home charging
Wait If:
⏳ You don't have an EV and won't for 12+ months
⏳ You're moving house within 12 months
⏳ Major electrical work is planned
⏳ Your parking situation is changing
⏳ You specifically need V2G and your car supports it
The Bottom Line
Waiting for cheaper chargers is false economy for most EV owners.
| Factor | Now | Wait 2 Years |
|---|---|---|
| Charger cost | £900–1,400 | £850–1,300 (maybe) |
| Savings from home charging | £2,400–4,000 | £0 (still on public) |
| Technology | Excellent | Slightly better |
| Net position | Ahead by £2,000+ | Behind waiting for £50–100 saving |
The maths is clear: Install when you get your EV. The ongoing savings dwarf any potential future discount on equipment.
The only exception is if you're not actually ready to use a home charger yet — in which case, wait until your situation is settled, then install promptly.