Does an EV charger increase home value? Our 2026 guide
Updated on 1st January 2026 by:
James Garlick
Head of EV, Hive
If you drive an electric car, installing an EV charger can be a great way to save on your charging costs. But could it also boost the value of your home when you come to sell?
EV ownership is increasing every year in the UK, with over 1.75 million fully electric vehicles already on the roads1. For property buyers of the future, having a fast and convenient way to charge at home is likely to become even more important than it is today – so installing an EV charger could well be a sound investment in your home’s long-term value.
How much does an EV charger cost to install at home?
The cost of getting an EV charger installed at home can vary. The price you’ll pay depends on the type of charger you're getting and how complicated the installation is. An EV charger from Hive starts from £1,019 – and that includes installation by British Gas-approved engineers and a 3-year warranty.
What are the advantages of a home charging point?
- Cheaper than public chargers. Cost-saving is a major reason to install a home charger. The average price to charge publicly according to Zapmap is between 52p/kWh (slow/fast) and 76p/kWh (rapid/ultra-rapid).
- Charge for less with great installation deals. Many home charger installation deals come with lower costs and even free charging miles. For example, if you choose the Hive EV charger, the British Gas EV tariff and the free Power+ add-on, you can charge for as little as 6.75p/kWh – over 7 times cheaper than public charging.
- Track your spending. See your charging in real time, track your spending and get notified when it’s ready via an app
- Worry-free warranty for up to 3 years and support on had if you have any issues
- Convenience is key. Charging on your driveway means you don’t need to visit a public charger. You can simply plug in when you need, without the need to wait around while your car’s battery fills up.
How much value does an EV charger add to my home?
Beyond the day-to-day savings and the convenience of overnight charging that a home EV charger offers against public charging, studies indicate that installing an EV charger can boost your property’s value by up to £5,0002. However, this depends on your home’s location, the charger type and market conditions. Having an EV charger at your home will appeal to those who drive an EV, or who are thinking of one as their next car, as well as those keen to future-proof their property for environmentally conscious buyers. So, why does installing an EV charger at home increase your home's value?
More home buyers will have an EV
The number of electric vehicles (BEVs) on UK roads has continued to grow in the last few years. As of November 2025, more than 1.75 million cars are now fully electric and 33.8% of all new vehicles registered are fully electric or plug-in hybrids.1
As more people make the switch to electric driving, having a dedicated charging point installed at home could soon become one of the key things home buyers look for in a new property.
More drivers will need to charge an EV at home
The growth in EV sales is outpacing the number of EV public charging facilities available. At the end of September 2025, Zapmap reported 86,021 public charge points in the UK3. That’s approximately 20 EVs to every public charger.
According to the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association, 8.8 million charging points will be needed to meet demand by 2030. To achieve this, 1.2 million chargers would have to be installed every year, a target that’s almost 10 times the current rate of growth.
Clearly, most EV drivers in the future will need to rely on home charging to keep their cars powered up.
EV charging as a home improvement
If you’re a homeowner with your own garage or driveway, it’s worth noting that you have an opportunity to add increased appeal to your home that other homeowners don’t currently have. In most cases, properties need dedicated off-street parking to have an EV charger installed. If you’re lucky enough to have this space, installing an EV charger is a great way to get maximum value from it.
Futureproofing your home
The government has already introduced laws for housebuilders that mean all new homes, workplaces and supermarkets must now have EV charge points installed. In years to come, having an EV charger is likely to become something that house buyers expect in a new property.
Accelerating this trend is the fact that the sale of new petrol and diesel cars is set to be banned from 2035. Several car brands are getting ahead of the legislation already, with Vauxhall and Toyota no longer selling diesel cars in the UK – and Jaguar selling electric only from 2025 onwards.
It’s clear that the UK is heading towards a more EV-reliant future, and installing a charger in your property is the perfect way to prepare for this.
Extra financial benefits
The money-saving reasons to install an EV charger go beyond potentially increasing your home’s value. An EV charger can also save you money through off-peak charging, selling unused energy back to the grid, and even renting out your charger when it’s not in use. Platforms like Co Charger, Place2Park and JustPark are making it easier than ever to earn money from your unused driveway and EV charger.
Will an EV charger increase my electricity bill?
The short answer is yes, because you will be using more electricity to charge your EV. But the savings you make in petrol or diesel (or in paying for public chargers) will easily make up for this. And the extra electricity you use is likely to cost less than you imagine.
Based on our data, the average Hive EV charger used approximately 3,342 kWh of electricity in 2025. The average electricity consumption for UK households is 2,700 kWh, so most people can expect to double the amount of electricity their home uses – although this will obviously vary depending on factors like mileage and the model of your EV.
The cost of running the charger will vary based on your home electricity tariff. There are practical ways to minimise the cost, such as switching your home tariff to a specialist EV tariff like the British Gas EV tariff, or even to an off-peak or fixed-rate tariff.
You can boost these savings even further by making use of charging optimisation services like Hive’s Power+ mode. These save you money by automatically charging when electricity is cheapest on the grid.
With Hive’s EV charger and a British Gas EV tariff, activating the free-to-use Power+ service gives you 25% back on your charging cost. It’s simply added as a credit each month on your electricity bill.
PeakSave is another cost-saving initiative from British Gas which gives you half-price electricity on Sundays (11am-4pm), so charging at that time could help you save even more.
Other ways to increase your home's value
EV chargers aren’t the only new technology that’s potentially adding to the value of our homes by transforming the way we use energy.
Solar panels also deliver immediate benefits in terms of free renewable electricity and lower bills. And for the right buyer, they can also add extra appeal to a property. Equally, heat pumps can be an attractive addition to a home, especially for buyers who are interested in greener living.
According to research from Admiral, UK buyers are becoming more aware of energy savings when purchasing a home - with 75% suggesting that energy saving measures would make them more likely to buy. Prioritising energy efficiency is a way to generate interest in your property and improve its value, even considering the upfront costs. Solar panels are the best green investment with homes selling at an average of 25% more than those in the same area that didn’t have them.
| Green investment | Average % uplift in property value vs similar properties in the same area |
|---|---|
| Solar panels | 25%+ |
| Insulation | 22% |
| Heating pumps | 10% |
| Hive/smart systems | 7% |
| Triple glazing | 2% |
Enjoy a year of free driving with British Gas and Hive
The demand for electric cars is growing year on year and installing a home EV charger is becoming an attractive feature for potential buyers. For homeowners it’s a forward-thinking investment that offers immediate cost and carbon savings whilst also potentially increasing the property’s value in the future. Ready to invest in a home EV charger? Check out our page on EV charging at home.
Hive EV Charging’s happy customers
Hive EV Charging can help you reduce your energy use and do your bit to reach net zero. Don’t just take our word for it, here’s what our customers say:
I've actually reduced my fuel consumption by 50% - I also feel like I'm doing my bit for the environment.
Exemplary service from the engineers who attended. Really, really impressed.
A very knowledgeable and patient engineer team who took time to walk me through all of the installation and safety elements. Great work!
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the best place to install an electric car charger?
The ideal location for a home EV charger is a garage or driveway where your car can be parked safely and conveniently. Choose a spot close to the EV’s charge port to avoid cable stretch and tripping hazards. You should also make sure the area has a strong wifi signal to enable smart charging features. It’s essential that EV chargers are only installed by people with the right professional skills to make sure everything is safe and compliant. British Gas offers expert advice and installation services to help you choose the best setup for your home and vehicle.
Do I need planning permission for an EV charger?
If your property has off-road parking and the charger is installed on a driveway, planning permission is not usually required – provided it meets size and distance regulations from the public highway. However, if your home is listed or in a Conservation Area, you might need permission. Leaseholders should check their lease terms and might need freeholder consent. For homes without off-road parking, running a cable across public pavements involves strict local council rules and safety concerns. Always talk to your local authority or British Gas for guidance before installation.
Can I take my EV charger with me when I move?
Not really. While the charging unit could be removed, the wiring and electrical set up are fixed – and only a professional could disconnect and re-install everything. This process can be costly and might be more than the price of installing a new charger at your new address. So in most cases, it’s more cost-effective and practical to leave your charger when you move. British Gas can give you expert advice – and give you a quote for getting a charger installed in your new home.