Not every home needs a new consumer unit for an EV charger, but many older ones do. A charger needs its own dedicated circuit with the right protection, so the existing unit needs a spare way, enough capacity for the extra load, and the residual current protection appropriate for the charger being fitted.
Older consumer units, such as those with rewireable fuses or without modern RCD protection, often can't be extended safely and are replaced as part of the job. Some homes have a unit that's fine but full, in which case a small additional unit can sometimes be added instead of replacing the whole thing. Your installer will assess this at the survey.
It's a common reason one quote comes in higher than another, so ask each installer to say clearly whether their price includes a consumer unit change. A newer property with a modern unit and a spare way is usually the simplest case.
Tell us your property's age and what you know about your consumer unit in the quote form, and we'll help match you with an installer who can check it properly. Our installation requirements guide covers the other things your home needs.
Ready to get started? Get a free quote, or browse popular EV chargers and how installation works for more background. Not sure an EV will save you money? Try our free EV Money Calculator.