A home charger, or wall box, lets you charge your EV safely and conveniently every night. Here is what to expect when installing one in India. Always use a qualified electrician or installer.
1. Choose the charger
| Type | Typical power | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Portable charger in a suitable socket | Low | Slow; only on a dedicated, properly rated circuit |
| Single-phase wall charger | Up to about 7.4 kW | The most common home option |
| Three-phase wall charger | 11–22 kW | Needs a three-phase supply; useful only if your car's onboard charger accepts it |
Your car's onboard charger sets the maximum AC power it can take, so a bigger wall charger will not always charge faster.
2. Check your electricity load
A charger adds a large, long-running load. Your installer should check your sanctioned load and the existing demand from appliances. You may need to apply to your DISCOM for a load increase. India's 2024 charging guidelines also allow residential consumers to request a separate metered connection for EV charging, which some DISCOMs offer with an EV tariff.
3. Wiring and protection
- A dedicated circuit from the distribution board, with cable sized for the charger's current.
- Suitable circuit protection, including residual current protection of the type the charger maker specifies.
- Proper earthing, tested by the electrician.
- Weather protection if the charger is outdoors.
4. Apartments and societies
In an apartment, you will usually need permission from your housing society, and may need to run cable from your meter to your parking spot. See charging for housing societies.
What drives the cost
- The charger itself.
- Cable length from the distribution board or meter to the parking spot.
- Any load increase or new meter.
- Civil work for cable routing.
Never use extension cords or overloaded sockets for regular charging. A proper installation is a one-time cost that protects your home and your car.