New 76-Plate EV This September? 10 Things to Consider About Home Charging

September is always a big month for new car registrations in the UK, and the arrival of the 76 registration plate means plenty of drivers will soon be collecting a brand-new electric vehicle.

If you're making the switch to electric for the first time, choosing the car is only part of the process. You'll also need to think about how you're going to charge your EV.

From choosing between a tethered and untethered home charger, to finding the correct EV charging cable, being prepared before collection day can make your first few weeks of EV ownership much easier.

In this guide, we'll discuss 10 things you'll want to consider when buying a new 76-plate electric car.

Looking for an EV cable? Check out EVwired EV charging cables compatible with all modern electric vehicles.

1. Where Will You Charge Your EV?

The first question you'll want to consider is where you'll charge your electric car?

For many EV drivers, the answer will be at home.

Having access to off-street parking and a dedicated home EV charger can make electric car ownership particularly convenient. Arrive home, plug in, and your vehicle can recharge while it's parked.

If you don't have a driveway, it's worth researching your charging options before your new EV arrives.

Depending on where you live, these could include:

Public EV charging points near your home.
Workplace charging.
Residential charging hubs.
On-street charging.
Approved cross-pavement charging solutions.

Whatever your circumstances, knowing where you'll complete the majority of your charging will help determine what equipment you need.

2. Do You Need a Home EV Charger?

While some electric cars can be charged from a standard three-pin UK socket using a portable EV charger, a dedicated home wall-box is usually the most practical solution for regular home charging.

A typical UK home EV charger can provide around 7kW of charging power, allowing you to add considerably more energy overnight than you would usually get from a three-pin socket.

A dedicated charger can also offer features such as:

Scheduled charging.
Smart electricity tariff integration.
Charging monitoring.
App controls.
Solar integration on compatible systems.

A portable three-pin EV charger can still be extremely useful as a backup, for occasional or emergency charging, when you're staying somewhere without a dedicated charge point.

3. Is Your Home Charger Tethered or Untethered?

This is something every first-time EV owner should consider.

A tethered EV charger has its charging cable permanently attached, whereas an untethered EV charger just has a socket instead, so you'll need to buy your own charging cable to connect the charger to your vehicle.

A tethered charger can be convenient because the cable is always ready. Simply park, unwind the cable, and plug it into your car.

An untethered charger can look tidier when it isn't in use, providing extra flexibility over the cable you choose.

For example, if the standard 5m cable isn't long enough for your driveway, you could choose a longer cable and easily change cables when your charging needs change.

Find out more: Tethered vs Untethered EV Charger – Which Is Better?

4. Does Your New EV Come With a Charging Cable?

It's important not to assume that your new electric car will arrive with a cable.

Charging equipment supplied with EVs can vary between manufacturers, models, and dealership packages.

Before collection day, ask your dealership exactly what's included.

If you're using an untethered home charger, you'll normally need a compatible cable to get you started. The same applies when using untethered public AC charging points.

Finding this out before your vehicle arrives could save you the hassle of driving home and discovering you don't have the right cable required to charge it.

5. Which EV Charging Cable Does Your Car Need?

For most modern electric vehicles sold in the UK and Europe, Type 2 is the standard connection for AC charging.

A Type 2 to Type 2 EV charging cable can be used with compatible untethered home wall-boxes, workplace chargers, and public AC charging points.

However, it's still important to check your specific vehicle.

You should consider:

Your EV's charging connection.
Maximum AC charging rate.
Single-phase or three-phase charging.
The output of your home charger.
Where else you expect to use the cable.

At EVwired, you can search for an EV charging cable by vehicle make and model, helping take the guesswork out of choosing the right option.

Our Fitment Guarantee also means that when you select the correct make and model, we'll guarantee compatibility – or arrange a free exchange or full refund with return shipping covered.

6. What Length EV Charging Cable Do You Need?

Cable length is one of the easiest things to overlook when buying your first EV.

A standard-length charging cable might work perfectly if your wall-box is positioned right next to your car's charging port.

But what happens when another car is on the driveway?

Or you arrive at a public charger with an awkward layout?

Before buying an EV charging cable, it's good practice to measure the distance between your charger and the different positions your vehicle might be parked in.

It's always better to have extra flexibility than discover your cable is too short.

Find out more: Electric Vehicle Charging Cable Lengths Compared: Shortest vs Longest EV Charging Cable.

7. How Fast Can Your EV Charge at Home?

When choosing a charging cable or home charger, you need to consider the charging capability of your EV, as well as your electrical supply.

EVwired offers Type 2 charging cables with several AC power ratings, including:

3.6kW – 10A single phase.
7.4kW – 32A single phase.
11kW/22kW – 32A three phase.

Many UK homes use single-phase electricity supplies, making around 7kW the most common speed for home charging.

Some three-phase compatible EVs can accept 11kW or 22kW AC charging, but achieving these higher speeds typically requires access to a suitable three-phase electricity supply.

8. Can You Take Advantage of Cheaper Overnight Charging?

One of the benefits of charging an electric car at home is the ability to make use of cheaper electricity periods where available.

Many EV drivers schedule their cars or smart home chargers to charge overnight, when they're less likely to need the vehicle.

Some electricity suppliers also offer dedicated EV electricity tariffs, which may provide cheaper rates during particular periods, or through smart charging.

If you're installing your first home EV charger, it's worth checking:

Whether it supports scheduled charging.
Which smart EV tariffs it works with.
Whether charging can be controlled through an app.
Whether your EV itself supports scheduled charging.
Whether there are additional requirements or subscriptions.

Electricity tariffs change regularly, so it's best to compare current offers rather than choosing a charger solely because it works with one particular deal.

Find out more: 5 of the Best EV Charging Tariffs in the UK (2026 Guide).

9. Is Your Home Charging Setup Ready for Winter Weather?

If your home charger and charging cable will be used outside, it's important to ensure they're suitable for outdoor use.

EVwired charging cables are IP55 rated, providing protection against dust and water, making them suitable for everyday outdoor EV charging.

They're also designed to withstand the kind of conditions an EV charging cable regularly encounters, including rain, dirt, and changing temperatures.

When charging outside:

Keep connectors clean.
Avoid leaving connectors sitting in puddles.
Use protective end caps when the cable isn't connected.
Don't drive over your charging cable.
Check regularly for visible damage.
Store your cable properly when it isn't being used.

A good-quality charging cable should be designed with real-world EV ownership in mind – including winter weather.

10. Do You Have Everything Ready for Collection Day?

You've chosen your car. You've got the insurance. The charger has been installed.

Now it's worth doing one last check before heading to the dealership.

Make sure you have everything needed to charge your new EV from day one.

Your EV charging checklist should include:

A suitable home charging solution.
The correct Type 2 EV charging cable - if untethered.
A cable long enough for your driveway.
Any relevant home charging apps.
Your chosen electricity tariff.
Accounts or apps for public charging networks.
Somewhere clean and dry to store your cable.

You may also want to keep a portable three-pin EV charger in your boot as a backup, for when a dedicated charging point isn't available.

Don't Forget About Public EV Charging

Even if you plan to complete most of your charging from home, you'll probably use the UK's public charging network at some point.

Public EV charging broadly falls into two categories.

Rapid and ultra-rapid DC chargers, which have charging cables permanently attached.

And untethered public AC charge points, meaning you'll need to bring your own cable.

Find the Right EV Charging Cable with EVwired

EVwired makes finding the correct electric vehicle charging cable simple.

We stock premium-quality Type 2 EV charging cables for a huge range of electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles, with options to suit different charging speeds, parking layouts, and cable-length requirements.

When you choose EVwired, you'll benefit from:

5-year warranty.
Free next working day tracked delivery.
UK-based customer support.
Fitment Guarantee.
Durable weather-resistant construction.
Protective connector end caps.
Free EV charging cable carry bag.
A choice of cable lengths up to 15 metres.

Whether you're collecting your first 76-plate electric car, upgrading your home charging setup, or simply want a spare cable for public charging, we'll help you find the right cable for your EV.

Enjoyed reading this guide? Discover more on the EVwired Blog.

Louise O'Connell