50KW EV Charger Costs
Installing your own EV charger can be a cost-effective and convenient way of charging your EV overnight or during working hours. Rapid or super-fast chargers with a 50kW power supply can charge an EV battery to 80% in roughly 20 minutes, costing from £1,500 and upward to fit.
Most home EVs tend to be either 7kW or 22kW, and a 50kW EV charging dock is only usually suitable for commercial use – you’ll find these chargers at service stations and some larger car parks.
There is a caveat that frequent recharging with a rapid EV charger can deteriorate your battery life span, so it is better to use them occasionally or for small top-ups rather than as the primary source of charging.
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Comparing Costs of Different KW EV Chargers
When you receive quotes to install your home EV charger, the price should include supply and installation costs, which means you are paying for the charging unit and the labour required to fit the station ready for use.
Rapid EV chargers cost more than slower, more economical models. However, the labour costs will normally be around 20% of the charger cost – the more complex the electrical components, the longer it will take to fit.
There are also various types of EV chargers, each of which is suitable for a different property type and intended use.
EV Charger Size | Average Cost | Pros | Cons |
Slow 3kW charger | £300 - £800 | Slow charging creates less heat and requires less power output. | Charging can take up to 14 hours to fully replenish the battery. |
Fast 7kW charger | £400 - £900 | Charges a battery in around four to six hours and is normally suitable for residential installation. | Uses a higher amount of power, so it can be more expensive in terms of electricity bills. |
Rapid 22 – 50kW chargers | £1,020 - £1,520 | Ideal for fast charges in under 30 minutes. | Designed for commercial buildings and can impact the longevity of an EV battery. |
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Home EV installers usually recommend a smaller 7kW or 22kW charger as an appropriate charging unit for a private property, although you can certainly install a rapid charger at a workplace or shared charging facility to allow super-fast charging.
Additional Costs Associated With a 50KW Charger Installation
It costs more to install a fast or rapid charger because an EV charging unit classed as a slow level one charger can work with any standard power supply. They use 120-volt electricity, so connecting to your home electrical system is simple.
Fast chargers (level two) need a bigger 240-volt power supply, which is why they are primarily used at business premises rather than residential accommodation.
If your system is suitable for this level of power output, an electrician will need to carry out additional work to fit circuit breakers, replace your home consumer unit or install a new isolated circuit solely to power the EV charger.
Cables are linked to the fuse box but are only used to run the charger, insulating the rest of your electrical cabling from potential damage.
Factors in the Cost of Fitting a 50KW Charger
The charging output is one of the most significant cost factors when deciding which EV charger to install. Costs of buying the unit itself can vary considerably from a small 3kW home charger, which is multiple times lower than a rapid 50kW charger.
Your installation contractor will also normally ask to schedule a site visit to help them ascertain other measurements and elements of the installation work that will affect the price:
- Longer charging cables add around £10 per metre to your EV charger installation quote, as most suppliers provide standard-length cables.
- Fitting a charging port inside a garage may incur additional costs in labour and materials to fit the charger on an internal wall and make good the finish.
- Wireless connectivity, which allows you to manage your EV charger through a mobile app, can add approximately £40 to £150 to the cost of the charging unit.
- Replacing your consumer unit or adding extra circuit breakers to accommodate a rapid charger will increase your quote by around £350.
Another potential cost element is an earthing system, which is necessary when there is a risk that faulty electrical circuits will cause damage to your system and pose a possible safety hazard.
On average, a set of grounding rods to protect your system and property can add a further cost of £300.
How to Choose the Right EV Charger Power Outage
As we have mentioned, a super rapid 50kW charger is more commonly found at service stations and is not generally available for installation on private residential premises.
It may be useful to compare the average charging time and the power outage required to support the size of EV charger you would like.
- 7kW chargers are used for on-street and off-road parking and take around six to ten hours to charge an EV.
- 22kW chargers are also found at some properties, although they are considered fast chargers – they are more often installed at public car parks, retail parks or hospitality venues such as hotels, providing a charge in two to five hours.
- EV chargers of 25kW or above are normally installed in retail stores and charge an EV in around one hour, depending on the size of the battery.
- Super-rapid 50kW chargers can provide a full charge in 30 minutes and are typically only available at service stations or garage forecourts.
While a 50kW charger may be one of the more expensive options, it could be perfect for an office or where you have electric company cars that need a speedy charging option before personnel head out for the day.
The power outage of your EV charger will also depend on which car model you have or expect to buy. Slow level one chargers are designed for smaller vehicles such as a Toyota Prius, Audi A3 e-Tron or a Nissan Leaf.
Type two chargers usually need a conversion cable to make the charging station compatible with other vehicles and are better for larger cars such as BMW, Tesla, Porsche, Range Rover, or Hyundai. You can check the vehicle specification for more information about charging options and compatibility.
Time Required to Install a 50KW Charger
Most new EV chargers take about two or three hours to install, although some elements might mean the work takes longer.
For example, if you want a wireless EV charging dock where the contractor needs to fit a charging plate into the floor, this work will be in addition to the standard installation time.
Complex installations with additional aesthetic repairs or where you need to have new electrical components fitted will also require longer.
Digging trenches for cabling can add around £30 per metre. Still, they could be more expensive if your tradesperson needs to break through concrete – this may mean hiring another contractor to complete the groundwork before an electrician can install your EV charger.
Properties with a solar panel system can use green energy to power their EV charger, but this can also be more involved. If there is already a solar energy storage battery, the EV charging dock can be connected to this, although you may need a new inverter and a specialist solar charger.
The benefit is that once your EV charging unit has been fitted, it will be relatively cost-free to run, provided you have sufficient power to charge your EV without reverting to the mains electricity grid.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below, we have provided answers to FAQs related to EV charger installation costs and the pros and cons of a rapid 50kW charger.
Why Can’t You Normally Install a 50KW Charger at Home?
50kW rapid chargers exceed the safe power supply available from single-phase electricity systems which are the standard for residential homes. Most 50kW chargers are found at commercial premises such as service stations and garages, using three-phase to provide the larger power output required.
Is a 50KW EV Charger a Rapid Charger?
Yes, level one slow chargers can take several hours and as much as 14 hours to charge an EV battery to full capacity, often with a power rating of 3kW or 7kW. These are the most common types of chargers to have fitted at home.
Rapid chargers are anything from 22kW or above and provide quick charging, which can charge an EV battery in as little as 30 minutes.
What Size EV Charger Can I Have Installed at My Home?
The right EV charger will depend on several factors, including the vehicle you drive, your property, the power outage available from your current electricity supply, and whether you are using mains utilities or connecting your EV charging dock to a solar-powered battery.
If you think a 50kW rapid charger is the best choice, you can consult an experienced EV installer. However, the limitations of residential power supply systems normally mean these units are only appropriate for commercial use.
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