Home EV Charger Installation in Hertfordshire & Bedfordshire
Penmilne, home of the EV Charge Installers brand, installs smart 7kW home electric vehicle charge points across Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire. We fit chargers from Wallbox, Rolec and Project EV, set up app control and off-peak charging schedules, and use built-in earthing technology where suitable to avoid earth rods in driveways.
NICEIC Approved Contractor, TrustMark endorsed, Aico Platinum Partner, ECA member and CHAS accredited. Serving Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire from Hitchin since 1977.
Which home EV charger is right for you?
Most UK homes have a single-phase supply, which limits home charging to around 7kW (32A). At that rate a typical electric car adds roughly 25 to 30 miles of range for every hour of charging, enough to top up overnight on an off-peak tariff.
| Charger | Key strengths | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|
| Wallbox Pulsar Plus | Very compact design with app and Wi-Fi control and scheduled charging | Homes where space is tight and a discreet unit matters |
| Rolec | UK-manufactured, with socketed or tethered options and smart app control | Customers who want a robust British-made unit with flexible cable options |
| Project EV Pro Earth | Built-in earthing that removes the need for an earth rod in most installations, with solar-compatible models | Driveways where an earth rod would be difficult or unsightly |
Penmilne advises on the best charger for your car, parking position and electricity supply during the survey.
Do I need a separate earth rod installed on my driveway for an EV charger?
Not always. Many UK homes have a PME (TN-C-S) earthing arrangement, and BS 7671 requires additional protection for EV charge points on these supplies because of the small risk of an open-PEN fault on the network. Historically this meant installing a separate earth rod, which could involve drilling into driveways or paving.
Modern chargers with built-in open-PEN fault detection, such as Project EV Pro Earth models, disconnect the vehicle automatically if a supply fault is detected. In most installations this removes the need for an earth rod altogether. The right approach is confirmed after checking the supply and earthing arrangement at your property.
Can a home EV charger work with solar panels and off-peak tariffs?
Yes. Smart chargers can be scheduled through an app to charge during cheaper overnight periods on EV energy tariffs, and many models can divert surplus solar generation into the car when paired with the right accessories. Load management features can also reduce the charging rate automatically when the home is drawing a lot of power, which avoids the need for a supply upgrade in many cases.
What happens during a home EV charger installation?
- Survey of your consumer unit, earthing arrangement and preferred charger position
- Written quotation with charger options and any supply upgrades required
- Notification to the District Network Operator
- Installation, usually completed in a single day
- Commissioning, app set-up and a walkthrough of the charger
- Electrical Installation Certificate issued on completion
Some installations need a consumer unit upgrade or main fuse check before the charger can be fitted. Any extra work is identified at survey stage and included in your quotation, with no hidden extras.
What EV charger customers say
From start to finish Penmilne/evchargeinstallers.com have been superb in regard to sourcing and fitting an EV charger… resulting in a very clear (and competitive!) quote for the equipment and labour with an assurance there would be no hidden extras.
Richard H., Hitchin
The access to the main electricity box from our garage was not straightforward but, instead of having to dig a trench they suggested an overhead solution which suited our purposes better. The installation was very neat and as unobtrusive as was possible.
Nick, Shillington
Beverley was so helpful and informative, answering all my questions and more… without any “hard-sell” and to know they are a local family business. The whole process was straightforward and the installer was equally friendly, pleasant and helpful.
Kate, Hitchin
Home EV charging questions answered
Most straightforward installations are completed in a single day. Longer cable runs, groundworks or a consumer unit upgrade can add time, and any extra work is agreed at quotation stage.
A tethered charger has a cable permanently attached, so you simply plug it into the car. A socketed charger has a Type 2 socket and you use your own cable, which looks tidier and suits households with more than one vehicle.
Not always. The survey checks whether your existing consumer unit has space and suitable protection. Older fuse boards often need replacing, and this is included in your quotation where required.
Yes. Home EV charge points must be notified to the local District Network Operator, and some installations need approval before connection. Penmilne handles the notification as part of the installation.
It is possible occasionally, but a three-pin plug is much slower and household sockets are not designed for many hours of continuous high load. A dedicated 7kW charger is safer and roughly three times faster.
Penmilne installs home EV chargers within a 30-mile radius of Hitchin, including Letchworth, Stevenage, Welwyn Garden City, St Albans, Harpenden, Bedford, Shefford and Ampthill.