Buying an electric car is exciting, but there’s usually a lot to think about before your new EV arrives. Insurance, finance, charging costs, home energy tariffs… and, of course, how you’re actually going to charge it.

If you’re wondering whether you should buy and install a home EV charger before your electric car arrives, the short answer is yes — in most cases, it makes sense to get your charger sorted first.

Here’s why.

Why install your EV charger before your car arrives?

Imagine picking up your brand-new electric car, driving it home and then realising you have nowhere convenient to charge it.

Unlike a petrol or diesel car, you can’t simply pop to a fuel station and fill up in a few minutes. While the UK has a growing public charging network, being able to charge at home is one of the biggest benefits of owning an EV.

Having your home charger installed before your car arrives means you can get home, plug in and start charging straight away.

It also gives you time to make sure everything is set up properly without having to worry about finding a public charger immediately.

You don't need to know exactly which charger you want

One common misconception is that you need to have your electric car sitting on the driveway before you can arrange your charger installation.

You don't.

A qualified EV charger installer can assess your property and help you choose a suitable charger based on things such as:

-Where you park your car
-The distance between your parking space and electrical supply
-Your home's electrical setupYour typical driving habits
-Whether you have solar panels
-Whether you want to use a smart EV tariff
-The make and model of your EV

It's useful to know which car you're buying, as different EVs have different charging capabilities, but you don't necessarily need to wait until the car arrives.

What if I haven't decided which EV I'm buying yet?

If you're still comparing electric cars, we'd recommend choosing the car first before committing to a charger.

That's because the charger that suits one household might not necessarily be the best option for another.

For example, if you're choosing between several EVs, it's worth considering their maximum AC charging rate, battery size and whether they have any particular smart charging or energy management requirements.

Your home setup matters too.

A good installer should look at the whole picture rather than simply recommending the same charger to every customer.

Can I install a charger before I know my registration number?

Yes.

You don't generally need your vehicle registration number to have a home charger installed.

What matters more is knowing the type of vehicle you're buying and making sure the charger is compatible.

For example, Tesla recommends installing its Wall Connector before taking delivery of the vehicle, so owners can start charging as soon as the car arrives.

Is it cheaper to install a charger before getting an EV?

Not necessarily.

The installation price itself doesn't usually depend on whether you've already taken delivery of your car.

However, getting everything arranged in advance can save you from relying on public charging while you're waiting for an installation.

It can also give you time to compare chargers and installation quotes rather than making a rushed decision after your car has arrived.

What should I consider when choosing my charger?

Before buying a charger, think about how you're actually going to use your EV.

How much do you drive?

If you have a relatively short daily commute, you might not need the fastest possible home charger.

For many drivers, plugging in overnight is more than enough to replace the miles they've used during the day.

Do you have solar panels?

If you have solar panels, look for a charger with solar charging capabilities. This can allow you to make better use of surplus energy generated by your panels rather than sending it back to the grid.

Do you want a smart tariff?

If you're planning to use an EV-specific energy tariff, a compatible smart charger can make it much easier to automatically charge when electricity is cheape

Where will the charger go?

The location of your charger is important too.

Think about where you normally park, where the cable will need to reach and whether the charger will be mounted on your house, garage or another suitable structure.

What if my charger is installed but my car is delayed?

Don't worry.

Your charger doesn't need an EV connected to it all the time. Once it's safely installed and commissioned, it can simply sit ready for when your car arrives.

In fact, having it ready means one less thing to worry about when you finally get the keys.

So, should you buy your charger before your EV?

In most cases, yes.

Installing your home charger before your electric car arrives means you can start charging at home immediately and gives you time to make an informed decision about the best charger for your property.

The key is not to simply buy the first charger you see.

Choose the charger based on your car, your home, your driving habits and the way you want to manage your energy.

At Aero EV, we can help you choose a suitable home charging solution and arrange professional installation, so your charger is ready when your new electric car arrives.

Getting an EV? Get your home charging sorted first.

Get in touch with Aero EV to discuss your home charger installation.

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