If you're building a solar carport and own an electric vehicle, integrating EV charging into your carport is a natural next step. But the EV charger market is confusing. What's the difference between 3.6kW and 22kW? Which brands work best with solar? Is a "smart" charger worth the premium? And can you get a government grant?
Let's demystify EV charger selection for your solar carport.
EV Charger Types: Power Levels Explained
EV chargers are categorized by power output, measured in kilowatts (kW). Higher power = faster charging, but higher cost and more demanding electrical infrastructure.
3.6kW Charger (Single-Phase)
The entry-level option. Charges slowly but steadily. Ideal if you charge overnight or over multiple hours. Uses standard UK household wiring (single-phase, 16A). Installation cost is lowest (£400-£600 labour). Works well with modest solar systems. Many older homes only have single-phase supply, so this may be your only option without expensive electrical upgrades.
7kW Charger (Single-Phase)
The "Goldilocks" option for most UK homes. Fast enough for overnight charging, efficient enough to integrate well with solar systems. Uses single-phase supply at 32A. Standard installation cost (£600-£1,000 labour). Most popular choice for home EV charging. If your carport has a 6kW solar system, this charger is a perfect match: charge during sunny hours, store any excess in a battery, and draw from the battery at night.
11kW Charger (Three-Phase)
Requires three-phase electrical supply (available in some UK homes, more common in rural/commercial properties). More expensive installation (£1,200-£1,600 labour) because your electrical infrastructure needs upgrading. Overkill for most home scenarios unless you're regularly charging multiple vehicles or want ultra-fast charging. Rarely worth it unless you already have three-phase supply.
22kW Charger (Three-Phase)
Commercial-grade charging. Rarely needed at home. Requires three-phase supply and substantial electrical infrastructure. Installation cost is high (£2,000+). Only relevant if you have multiple EVs, run a commercial operation, or want absolute fastest charging. For residential solar carports, this is overkill.
For Most Homes: Choose 7kW
Unless you have a specific reason (three-phase supply already installed, multiple vehicles, commercial use), a 7kW charger is the sensible choice. It's fast enough for practical home use, integrates beautifully with solar systems, and doesn't require expensive electrical infrastructure upgrades.
Smart Chargers: The Game-Changer for Solar
A smart charger isn't just faster—it's intelligent. It can communicate with your solar system, battery storage, and your energy tariff to optimize charging timing and cost.
Dumb Charger
Plugs in, charges at full power immediately. No communication with solar or battery. You're paying standard grid electricity prices even if your solar is generating surplus. Cost: £800-£1,200.
Smart Charger with Solar Diversion
Communicates with your solar inverter and/or battery system. Automatically prioritises charging from solar generation during the day. If solar isn't sufficient, charges from battery storage (if you have it). Only draws grid power if solar + battery are depleted. This is the best option for solar carports. Cost: £2,500-£3,500.
Example scenario: Your carport generates 6kW of solar. A smart charger sees this surplus and diverts it to charge your EV during the day. Zero grid electricity consumed. Your electric bill goes down noticeably. With battery storage, you can even charge in the evening using daytime solar energy stored in the battery.
Top EV Charger Brands for Solar Integration
Zappi (by Myenergi)
Best for: Solar carports with battery storage. Power options: 3.6kW, 7kW, 11kW Price: £1,500-£2,500 (depending on power). Key features: Excellent solar diversion, app control, three charging modes (Eco, Eco+, Fast). Works seamlessly with Myenergi Libbi battery. Compatible with most solar inverters. Probably the most popular smart charger choice in the UK right now. If you choose Myenergi Libbi battery (£20,500 with your carport), Zappi is the natural companion.
Ohme (by BP Pulse)
Best for: Smart charging and cheap overnight rates. Power: 7kW only. Price: £1,800-£2,200. Key features: Excellent mobile app, integrates with Octopus Go (cheap 7.5p/kWh overnight charging), learns your driving patterns. Solar integration is available but less seamless than Zappi. Good choice if you want smart charging but aren't prioritizing daytime solar consumption.
Pod Point
Best for: Straightforward, reliable charging. Power: 7kW (solo) or 11kW options. Price: £1,500-£2,000. Key features: Simple, durable design. Basic smart features (app, scheduling). Less sophisticated solar integration than Zappi. Good if you want a reliable charger without premium price, but less optimal for solar carports specifically.
Tesla Wall Connector
Best for: Tesla owners. Power: 7kW (11kW overseas, not available in UK single-phase yet). Price: £500-£700. Key features: Integrates with Tesla app, but minimal smart charging features. Limited solar integration. Only makes sense if you own a Tesla and want tight ecosystem integration.
The OZEV Grant: Free Money for EV Charging
The UK government's OZEV (Office for Zero Emission Vehicles) grant can cover up to 75% of the cost of a home charger installation, up to a maximum of £350.
You must meet ALL these criteria:
- You own or lease an electric vehicle (registered from 2019 onwards)
- You haven't received OZEV grant support before
- Your home has off-street parking (driveway, carport, or dedicated parking space)
- Your installer is OZEV-approved
The grant covers:
- Charger hardware (capped at £300 max eligible cost)
- Installation labour (capped at £300 max eligible cost)
In practice: A 7kW Zappi costs ~£2,000 delivered and installed. With OZEV grant, you pay ~£1,650. A Pod Point costs ~£1,600, with grant you pay ~£1,250.
Oak Frame Solar uses OZEV-approved installers. When we integrate your EV charger with your carport build, we handle all OZEV grant applications as part of the project.
Smart Charger + Battery Storage: The Perfect Pairing
A smart charger truly shines when paired with home battery storage:
- Morning-afternoon: Solar carport generates energy. Smart charger diverts it to battery storage (if battery isn't full) and/or directly to EV.
- Evening: Sun sets. Smart charger switches to battery storage power. Your EV charges using stored solar energy, not grid power.
- Night: Battery depleted. Smart charger pulls from grid only if needed (or uses Octopus Go cheap rate if applicable).
Result: You charge your EV almost entirely from free solar energy. Electric bill plummets. A typical household can achieve 80-90% solar self-consumption with this setup.
Without battery storage, a smart charger still helps—it charges directly from solar during the day—but it's less optimized. You still need grid power for evening charging.
Grid Connection Considerations
If you're already planning a solar carport with EV charging, notify your energy supplier (DNO—Distribution Network Operator) in advance. They need to know about any significant electrical load changes.
A 7kW charger is well within typical home electrical capacity. Your existing 100A supply is more than sufficient. However, if you're combining 7kW charger + 6kW solar system + battery inverter, coordinate these with your electrician to ensure proper load balancing.
Oak Frame Solar's installation team handles all electrical coordination. We liaise with DNOs and Building Control as needed.
Installation with Your Solar Carport
Integrating EV charging into a new carport build is simpler and cheaper than retrofitting to an existing carport or house. We can:
- Run all electrical circuits during the initial carport build
- Position the charger optimally within the structure
- Integrate the charger's smart controls with your solar inverter and battery system
- Commission everything as a unified energy system
If you're building a carport with battery storage, adding a smart EV charger is a natural addition. The infrastructure is already in place, and costs are minimised.
Key Decision Checklist
- What electrical supply do you have? Single-phase (normal) or three-phase? This determines max charger power.
- How often do you drive? Daily driver = 7kW minimum. Occasional user = 3.6kW fine.
- Do you have battery storage? If yes, smart charger is essential. If no, smart charger still helps with solar diversion but is less impactful.
- Budget? Basic dumb 7kW charger = £1,200-£1,600 installed. Smart 7kW charger = £2,500-£3,000 installed. OZEV grant covers £350 of costs.
- Solar system size? 7kW charger works best with 6-8kW solar system. Larger carports can support bigger chargers.
- Brand preference? Zappi if you want best solar integration. Pod Point if you want simplicity. Ohme if you prioritize smart cheap-rate charging.
The Bottom Line
For a solar carport in the UK, a 7kW smart charger (Zappi recommended) is the sweet spot. It's fast enough for daily use, integrates intelligently with solar generation, works with battery storage, and qualifies for the OZEV grant. Cost is £2,500-£3,500 installed, reduced to ~£2,150-£3,150 with the grant.
If you're building a solar carport without battery storage, the smart charger still makes sense—it will charge your car whenever solar generation is available, reducing your grid electricity consumption. Add battery storage later if desired.
Avoid overkill (22kW chargers) unless you have a specific commercial need. Avoid underbuild (3.6kW) if you drive daily. Stick with 7kW, make it smart, and integrate it seamlessly with your carport's solar and battery systems.
Integrate EV Charging with Your Solar Carport
Our configurator lets you add EV charging to your carport design and see the combined cost. Factor in the OZEV grant and get a realistic idea of your investment.
Configure with EV Charging →