In everyday UK usage, a 'wallbox' is a wall-mounted home EV charger — a dedicated unit fixed to the wall of your house or garage that charges your electric car. (Wallbox is also the name of a specific manufacturer, whose chargers are one of many options.) It's the term many drivers search for when they want a home chargepoint installed.
A wallbox is quite different from plugging your car into a normal three-pin socket. A domestic socket isn't designed to deliver a high current for hours on end, so a dedicated wallbox on its own circuit is both faster and safer. A typical home wallbox delivers 7kW, which is enough to add roughly 25–30 miles of range per hour of charging in many cars, so most drivers simply plug in overnight.
Fitting one involves running a dedicated cable from your consumer unit, mounting the unit, adding suitable protection and having the work tested and certified by a qualified electrician. Whether it's tethered (cable attached) or untethered (bring your own cable) is a matter of preference — untethered units are neater and work with any car, tethered units are quicker to use.
If you're at the beginning of the process, our guide to installation requirements explains what your home needs, and our EV chargers overview compares popular models. Ready to go? Get a free quote and we'll help connect you with a suitable local installer.
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.