SolarHome
    ← Solar Electricity for Home UK

    Solar + EV Charging at Home (UK): Best Setup, Timed Charging & Battery Options

    Using solar to charge your EV is one of the best ways to maximise your investment. Here's how to set it up properly.

    The Numbers

    Average EV
    3–4 miles/kWh
    Annual EV Use
    ~2,500–3,500 kWh
    Solar Cost/Mile
    ~1–2p
    Grid Cost/Mile
    ~7–8p

    A typical UK driver covers ~8,000 miles/year. Charging from solar instead of the grid saves £400–£500/year in fuel costs.

    Three Setup Options

    Solar + Smart EV Charger (No Battery)

    £6,000–£9,000 total

    Solar panels paired with a solar-aware charger (e.g., Zappi, Ohme). Charger adjusts charging rate to match available solar surplus. Best value option.

    Pros
    • Lowest cost setup
    • Charger diverts surplus solar automatically
    • Works well if car is home during daytime
    Cons
    • Can't charge from solar at night
    • Limited benefit if car is away during peak generation

    Solar + Battery + EV Charger

    £10,000–£16,000 total

    Battery stores daytime solar for evening EV charging. Maximum flexibility. Best for households where the car returns in the evening.

    Pros
    • Charge EV from solar even at night
    • Battery covers household evening use too
    • Maximum self-consumption
    Cons
    • Higher upfront cost
    • Battery adds 8–12 years to payback
    • May need larger solar system to fill both battery and EV

    Solar + Time-of-Use Tariff + EV

    Solar + £300–£800 charger

    Use cheap overnight electricity (e.g., Octopus Go, Intelligent Octopus) for EV charging. Solar handles daytime household use. Simple and cost-effective.

    Pros
    • Overnight rates as low as 7.5p/kWh
    • No battery needed
    • Works regardless of daytime car availability
    Cons
    • Still using grid electricity for EV
    • Tariff rates may change
    • Less green than pure solar charging

    Solar-Aware EV Chargers

    ChargerSolar DivertPriceNotes
    ZappiYes (CT clamp)£750–£950Most popular solar-aware charger. Built-in solar surplus mode.
    Ohme Home ProYes (via app)£450–£600Smart tariff integration. Solar divert via API.
    Wallbox Pulsar PlusVia solar integration£500–£700Requires compatible inverter for solar divert.
    Tesla Wall ConnectorWith Powerwall only£450–£550Best in Tesla ecosystem. Limited solar divert without Powerwall.

    Prices include installation. Solar divert means the charger can automatically adjust charging rate to use surplus solar generation.

    Related Guides

    Solar battery storage UK →Solar panel costs UK →

    Get a Solar + EV Charging Quote

    We size your solar system to cover both household and EV charging needs.

    Get My Quote