Your First EV Charger
What to look for and what to avoid…
Article Published: Monday 17th August 2026
Your First EV Charger: What to Look For (and What to Avoid)
By Leah Cheeseman, Operations Manager, VCHRGD
Leah Cheeseman is Operations Manager at VCHRGD, supporting installers, partners and EV drivers while helping deliver the reliable, customer-first service that sits at the heart of the business.
This article was originally produced for our partners at Electricpoint
Buying your first electric vehicle is exciting, but for many drivers it's the home charger that creates the most questions.
How much will it cost to run? Which charger should you choose? Do you need special electricity tariffs? What happens if something goes wrong?
The good news is that charging an EV at home is much simpler than many people expect. In fact, once your charger is installed, most drivers quickly find it becomes one of the easiest parts of EV ownership.
If you're at the start of your EV journey, here's what to look for when choosing a home charger, and a few common mistakes worth avoiding.
Why more drivers are switching to EVs…
Electric vehicle adoption continues to grow across the UK as drivers look for lower running costs, reduced emissions and a more convenient driving experience.
Manufacturers are introducing more electric models than ever before, battery ranges continue to improve, and smart energy tariffs are making home charging increasingly affordable.
Yet despite the growth in EV ownership, the vast majority of UK homes still don't have a dedicated EV charger installed. That means many first-time buyers are now facing the same questions you might be asking today.
The key is understanding that a good home charging setup doesn't need to be complicated.
Why home charging matters…
While public charging has an important role to play, most EV drivers do the majority of their charging at home.
Home charging offers lots of benefits, from more convenience to lower costs, more flexibility over when you charge to cheaper overnight tariffs.
For the overwhelming majority of drivers, the capability to charge at home is the single biggest benefit to EV ownership.
Choosing the right charger
When comparing charger options, it's all about finding the best fit and the best value.
We recommend looking across these four key areas.
Reliability
A charger should simply work when you need it.
The last thing any EV driver wants is a charger that regularly disconnects, requires constant resets or creates support headaches.
Reliability is becoming one of the most important factors in charger selection, particularly as the market matures.
VCHRGD chargers offer a lifetime return rate of less than 1% (ie the number of chargers returned with a fault) and a series of 5-star Google and Trustpilot customer satisfaction ratings.
Smart Features
Modern EV chargers boast a wide range of features, here are a few examples available across our VCHRGD range:
Smart charging schedules
Solar integration
Dynamic load balancing
Charging history and monitoring
App-based control
One of our favourite features here at VCHRGD is the ability to schedule charging during cheaper off-peak periods, customers love this - and save money.
Ease of Installation
A good charger should pose no problems for your installer and be easy for you to use afterwards. When it’s complicated, no one wins.
You should always look for products that are designed with both installers and homeowners in mind - searching for reviews is always recommended.
Support When You Need It
Many people don't think about support until something goes wrong.
The reality is that having access to knowledgeable, UK-based support can make a huge difference if you ever need assistance.
VCHRGD's support team resolves most customer enquiries within 30 minutes and has built a reputation around helping drivers quickly and efficiently.
How smart tariffs can dramatically reduce charging costs…
One of the biggest misconceptions about EV ownership is that charging will significantly increase your electricity bill.
That’s simply not the case. For example, combining the right charger with a dedicated EV tariff can be a gamechanger.
Then, think about when you charge - smart tariffs offer reduced electricity rates during specific periods,often overnight, when demand on the grid is lower.
Take So Energy's So EV tariff, which allows drivers to charge during off-peak hours at significantly lower rates than standard electricity tariffs.
When combined with a smart charger that automatically schedules charging, drivers can make substantial savings every time they plug in.
The process is simple:
Plug your vehicle in
Set your charging schedule through the app
Let the charger do the rest
No late-night alarms. No manual intervention. Just cheaper charging.
