PRACTICAL GUIDES / SOLAR & STORAGE
How EV chargers work
A dedicated charge point provides a controlled connection between your electrical supply and vehicle. Charging speed depends on both ends of that connection.
Updated 26 October 2026 · Birmingham Solar
Power, energy and charging time.
Power in kW describes the charging rate. Energy in kWh describes the amount transferred. As a simplified calculation, adding 20 kWh at a steady 7 kW would take about 2.9 hours before allowing for losses or a changing charge rate.
The vehicle’s charging limit, the charge point and the available supply can all restrict the actual rate. The car’s battery management also affects charging, so an arithmetic estimate is not a promised completion time.
Home charging and smart controls.
A dedicated home charger can provide scheduling and other controls, depending on the equipment. An app, vehicle schedule or energy tariff integration may determine when charging starts. Make sure the controls are configured to work together.
If you need a particular departure charge level, consider the energy required and the hours available. A cheap tariff window only helps if it fits the vehicle’s needs and the supplier’s conditions.
Tethered versus untethered.
A tethered charger has its cable attached. An untethered unit uses a separate cable. Consider storage, cable reach, compatibility and the route around the parked vehicle, rather than choosing on appearance alone.
Charging alongside solar and batteries.
A compatible arrangement can use available surplus solar while the vehicle is connected. The amount depends on household demand, generation and the charger’s controls. Overnight charging does not use solar generated at that moment; it uses the grid or stored energy.
A home battery has limited usable capacity and output power. Its controls need to be considered alongside the charger to avoid using stored energy in a way that undermines your intended tariff strategy.
What an installation assessment covers.
The assessment considers parking, cable routing, electrical supply, protection, connectivity and any permissions or network requirements. These details determine the work and equipment needed.
For a tailored installation proposal, visit our EV charging point installation page for Birmingham.
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