Congratulations on your EV purchase! But before the car is delivered, you need to ensure your home can actually charge it safely and efficiently. The checklist below will help you prepare.
Checklist: Before charging an EV at home
1. Check the number of phases (1-phase vs. 3-phase)
Open the cover on your fuse box and count the number of main fuses.
- 3 fuses = You have 3-phase power.
- 1 fuse = You have 1-phase and will likely need an upgrade.
With 1-phase, the maximum charging power is approximately 7.4 kW (32A), giving about 40 km of range per hour of charging. With 3-phase, you can charge at up to 22 kW, providing 100–120 km of range per hour.
2. Check the main fuse size
Look at your main fuses. How many amperes (A) do they indicate?
- 16A: Tight. Works but requires load balancing if running a heat pump and stove in parallel.
- 20A or 25A: Good. You have solid headroom for an EV charger.
- 35A or more: Excellent. You can charge the car at full power without any issues.
3. Do you have an RCD?
Your fuse box must have at least one RCD (Residual Current Device). If not, this is a legal requirement to address. When installing an EV charger, we always install a separate personal protection breaker (Type B) specifically for the charging circuit.
4. Where should the charger be installed?
- Garage: Optimal — protected from the elements and cable can be concealed.
- Outdoors on facade: Possible with an IP44-rated EV charger.
- Carport: Works well — cable runs along roof beams.
Measure the distance from the fuse box to the desired location — this affects the cable routing cost.
5. Is the "Green Technology" deduction available?
Yes! Installing an EV charger qualifies for the 50% Green Technology tax deduction directly on labor costs, just like solar panels. We handle this for you directly on the invoice.
Need help with this?
Get a free quote from our certified electricians. We usually respond within 24 hours.
Free QuoteWant a turnkey solution?
We at Smista El handle the entire process: inspecting the fuse box, cable work, mounting the EV charger, configuring load balancing, and all the paperwork for the Green Technology deduction. Book a free home inspection today.
