How we research
Every price, grant and tariff on this site comes from a primary source we read on a stated date. Here is exactly how we work, including the limits of what we know.
Updated 10 October 2026Facts checked 10 October 2026 against primary sources2 min read
Our sources
We go to the source first: GOV.UK and the Office for Zero Emission Vehicles for grants, Ofgem for the energy price cap, the Department for Transport for vehicle and charging statistics, the IET and the Energy Networks Association for wiring rules, each supplier’s own tariff pages, and each manufacturer’s specification sheets. We use press reviews and owner forums to cross-check reliability, and we say so when we do.
Each page shows two dates: when it was updated and when its facts were checked. Every figure links to its source in the Sources list at the bottom of the page.
How we keep figures fresh
| What | How often we re-check |
|---|---|
| EV tariffs and the price cap | Every month, and whenever Ofgem sets a new cap |
| Grants and VAT | Every month until the current grants end on 31 March 2027 |
| Installation prices | Every three months |
| Chargers: prices, models, company status | Every three months, and straight away if a maker fails or recalls a product |
| Regional statistics | Every three months, when the Department for Transport publishes new figures |
If a figure is past its review date and we can’t confirm it, we take it down rather than leave something that might be wrong.
How we score chargers
We don’t run lab tests, and we never say we have. Our charger reviews analyse each model on the evidence: the manufacturer’s specifications, the published price with installation, the warranty terms, tariff and solar compatibility, and what owners and independent reviewers report. Every charger is scored out of 10 against the same weighted criteria:
| Criterion | Weight | What we look at |
|---|---|---|
| Smart features and tariff integrations | 25% | App quality, scheduling, Intelligent Octopus Go and other tariff integrations, solar modes, load balancing |
| Price, fitted | 20% | Typical price with a standard installation compared with the market median (£949) |
| Reliability and owner feedback | 20% | Published owner complaints (connectivity, app outages, hardware faults) and the maker's track record |
| Warranty and support | 15% | Warranty length and terms, UK support, company stability |
| Safety and installation | 10% | Built-in PEN fault protection (no earth rod), RCD type, weather (IP) and impact (IK) ratings |
| Flexibility | 10% | Tethered/untethered choice, cable length, three-phase option, OCPP |
Scoring rubric version 1.0, updated 2026-10-10
The score never depends on whether we earn money from a brand. Several of the chargers we rate highest have no affiliate scheme at all.
Price estimates
The estimate in our quote form uses the median of published prices from UK installers and national providers, plus published prices for extras such as longer cable runs. It’s a guide, not a quote: the installer confirms the price after a survey. You can see the figures behind it on our installation cost guide.
Mistakes
If you spot something wrong, email [email protected]. We correct errors as soon as we’ve checked them and update the page date.